James Madison's Montpelier
Year-Round Events
James Madison's Montpelier hosts a variety of popular events, including educational day camps, reenactments, and scenic walks. Learn More
The Scenic Landscape
Montpelier has nearly 2,700 acres of rolling pastures, lawns, gardens, and woods in the heart of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. (Photo by Ron Blunt) Learn More
Montpelier, a National Trust Historic Site
Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, fourth President of the United States, and genius of the American Republic. Learn More
Honoring Women: Montpelier
Home of Dolley Madison who was known for her ground-breaking and elegant hospitality. She was the first to serve ice cream in the White House during the Jefferson administration and initiated the Easter Egg Roll on the Capital Lawn. Dolley Madison was present when workers laid the corner stone for the Washington Monument and it was she who sent the first personal telegraph message. At her funeral in 1849, Zachory Taylor used the phrase "First Lady" to describe Dolley Madison, a term now used to describe the president's wife.
"Notwithstanding a thousand faults and blunders,
[Madison's] administration has acquired more glory, and established more union,
than all his three Predecessors, Washington, Adams, and Jefferson, put together."
John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 1817
Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, fourth President of the United States, and genius of the American Republic. Madison's early life in Virginia nurtured his commitment to religious freedom and his patriotic vision for a democratic nation. Montpelier also became home to Dolley Madison, whose graciousness and hospitality inspired the term "First Lady".
James Madison's Montpelier is owned by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and operated by the Montpelier Foundation, Inc.
Get Connected
Montpelier Restoration Updates Blog
Update July 2, 2009
Court Records Research
In an earlier post, we explained the concept of “provenance,” and how we use it here at Montpelier. Tracking down an object’s provenance often requires documentary research. In this post, we would like to expand on a type of research we touched on in our last post – documentary research with court records, [...]
Update June 18, 2009
Read about us in the Times!
The New York Times, that is. Last Friday’s paper featured a column in the Art and Design section about historic sites interpreting slaves and servants in addition to the homeowners. We are mentioned and there are audio links to an actor speaking the words of Paul Jennings; this is the [...]
Update June 4, 2009
Recently we were fortunate to have four furniture experts from The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation come on-site to consult with us on furnishings at Montpelier, both from our permanent collection and items on loan. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation staff who came were Ron Hurst, vice president for collections and museums; Tara Gleason Chicirda, curator of furniture; [...]
Regional Events
Tech Tours,
07/05/09
Alexandria,
Virginia
Take a rare and detailed behind-the-scenes look at the only Frank Lloyd Wright designed house museum in the metropolitan Washington, DC area
Four Seasons of Oatlands Art Show Preview Party,
07/05/09
Leesburg,
Virginia
By invitation to Friends of Oatlands and art patrons.
Gilmore Camp,
07/06/09
Montpelier Station,
Virginia
Join rising 7th and 8th graders as they learn about the life of a newly emancipated family at the Gilmore Farm.
Regional Sites
"The Journey Through Hallowed Ground" Corridor, , Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Aiken, SC, Aiken, South Carolina, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Albin Polasek Museum & Sculpture Gardens, Winter Park, Florida, Historic Artist Homes & Studios
Alligator Rosenwald School, Chapel Hill, North Carolina,
Antietam National Battlefield Park, Sharpsburg, Maryland, 11 Most Endangered
Apalachicola, FL, Apalachicola, Florida, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Arts & Industries Building of Smithsonian Institution, Washington, District of Columbia, 11 Most Endangered
Asheville, NC, Asheville, North Carolina, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Ashley River Historic District, Charleston, South Carolina, 11 Most Endangered
Athens, GA, , Georgia, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Beaufort, SC, Beaufort, South Carolina, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Belle Grove, Middletown, Virginia, National Trust Historic Sites
Belleview Biltmore Hotel, Clearwater, Florida, 11 Most Endangered
Blair Mountain Battlefield, Logan County, West Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Bowling Green, KY, Bowling Green, Kentucky, Dozen Distinctive Destinations
Brandy Station Battlefield, Brandy Station, Virginia, 11 Most Endangered
Bridge of Lions, St. Augustine, Florida, 11 Most Endangered
Buckingham Training School, Dillwyn, Virginia,
Carter G. Woodson Houses, Washington, District of Columbia, 11 Most Endangered
Castalia Rosenwald School, Rocky Mount, North Carolina,
