Montpelier (Orange, Virginia)
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James Madison's Montpelier
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Montpelier restored to its original state
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| Nearest city | Orange, Virginia |
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| Coordinates | 38°13′11″N 78°10′10″W / 38.21972°N 78.16944°WCoordinates: 38°13′11″N 78°10′10″W / 38.21972°N 78.16944°W |
| Built | c. 1764 |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000843 |
| VLR # | 068-0030 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHLDCP | December 19, 1960 |
| Designated VLR | September 9, 1969 |
James Madison's Montpelier, located in Orange, Virginia, was the plantation house of the Madison family, including fourth President of the United States, James Madison, and his wife Dolley. The 2,650-acre (10.7 km2) property is open seven days a week with the mission of engaging the public with the enduring legacy of Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people.
Montpelier was declared a National Historic Landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. It was included in the Madison-Barbour Rural Historic District in 1991. In 1983, the last private owner of Montpelier, Marion duPont Scott, bequeathed the estate to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The National Trust for Historic Preservation (NTHP) has owned and operated the estate since 1984. In 2000, The Montpelier Foundation formed with the goal of transforming James Madison's historic estate into a dynamic cultural institution. From 2003–2008 the NTHP carried out a major restoration, in part to return the mansion to its original size of 22 rooms as it was during the years when it was occupied by James and Dolley Madison. Extensive interior and exterior work was done during the restoration.
Recently, archeological investigations have revealed new information about African-American life at the plantation. Thanks to a generous gift from historical philanthropist David Rubenstein, Montpelier is restoring the slave quarters in the South Yard, and finalizing a groundbreaking exhibition on slavery, The Mere Distinction of Colour, opening Spring 2017.
In 1723, James Madison's grandfather, Ambrose Madison, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Chew, received a patent for 4,675 acres (18.92 km2) of land in the Piedmont of Virginia. Ambrose, his wife Frances Madison, and their three children moved to the plantation in 1732, naming it Mount Pleasant. (Archaeologists have located this first site near the Madison Family Cemetery.) Ambrose died six months later; according to court records, he was poisoned by three enslaved African Americans. At the time, Ambrose Madison held 29 slaves and close to 4,000 acres (16 km2). After his death, Frances managed the estate with the help of their son, Colonel James Madison, Sr.
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Wikipedia