Monday, June 13

Woke up to cooler temperatures today. Today's high is supposed to be 82 degrees! Today has been a much anticipated day. We are visiting James Madison's Montpelier and Thomas Jefferson's Monticello.

Montpelier

Montpelier, home of James Madison, father of the Constitution, author of the Bill of Rights, and 4th President of the United States! The property sits along the Blue Ridge Mountains with a spectacular view!

The house has only recently been restored and opened to the public in 2008. The house has been through many structural changes:

• 1763-1765  Original structure of 4 rooms built - in photo below you can see the markings of what use to be the pediment (I believe that is what it is called) over what used to be the main entrance.

• 1797-1800 Madison added on to house to make room for his growing family
• 1809-1812  Madison adds wings and a colonnade
• 1901 House is purchased by DuPont family and they enlarge the structure to 55 rooms
• 2003 Restoration begins - this includes removing the additions made by the DuPont family, quite a task
• 2008 Restoration complete and a celebration was held on Constitution Day!! How appropriate!

Photo from http://blog.preservationnation.org/2008/09/18/james-madisons-montpelier-restoration-celebration/

Some points of interest within the house (unfortunately, no photos were allowed inside):

• Wall paper design in formal living area was based on a sample of wall paper found in a rat's nest. It was the only evidence of what there possibly was. 
• The home had two kitchen's, one for Dolly and one for Madison's mother-in-law who lived with them

• The upstairs room over the main entrance was where Madison drafted the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Has a spectacular view of the mountains in the distance and the front lawn of the house.
• Most of the flooring is original. There is a stain on the floor in Madison's room he studied in, and from testing, it is believed to be a stain from the ink used to write the Constitution! The guide likes to have students step on it so they can say they stepped on the ink that wrote the Constitution, well he did not have to tell the teachers twice, many immediately went by there to do the same. 
• Dolly Madison is known as defining the role of the First Lady, especially in clothing. She was known as a "flamboyantly fashionable trendsetter".  They were preparing for a new exhibit called "Dolly Madison: America's First Lady".  A display of her life through fashion.

• The roofs of the wings served as observation type decks - beautiful views!!

• Absolutely beautiful back yard, porch, and gardens. 

 Archeological Dig - The Presidential Detective Story


Yes, there is a dig taking place as we tour Montpelier! How very interesting to see what they have discovered and to imagine what lies ahead for them to find. What is even more amazing is that you can volunteer and be a part of this discovery. For more information follow this link: Excavation Vacation.  The current excavation taking place is in an area they have discovered from information on an old insurance map.