James Madison was our fourth United States President from 1801 – 1809 and the primary author, hence the title “Father of the U.S. Constitution.” Among his other achievements were the co-authorship of The Federalist Papers and the creation of the first ten amendments to the constition, better known as The Bill of Rights. Quite a fascinating and well-educated man, Madison’s life both began and ended in Virginia, a state I recently toured and was able to visit several of the important locations of his life…all carefully and excitedly detailed below.
Sunday, August 5, 2007 – Birthplace of James Madison – Bob and I had no real intention to scout Madison’s birthplace until we accidentally stumbled on the site where his successor James Monroe was born. Madison’s historical marker was in Port Royal, Virginia – not too far from the birthplaces of Monroe and George Washington. Although the sign was located in front of a church, it indicated that he was actually born 400 yards east of the sign – where nothing was currently standing.
Friday, August 10, 2007 – James Madison’s Montpelier – Madison was moved to the Montpelier estate shortly after his birth. The land had originally came into the Madison family when his Grandfather acquired the property in 1723. He spent his first years in a small house on the land before his father constructed larger quarters elsewhere on the estate. These quarters became the center of the Montpelier house which continued to see additions added by the Madison family. The future President inherited the house in 1801 and later retired there after the end of his Presidency.
The house remained the property of Madison’s widow Dolley until she sold it in 1844. By 1901 members of the du Pont family had acquired the home. Although they greatly enlarged the house – adding over fifty rooms – they kept the core of the house preserved for its historical significance as the home of a former President. In 1983, the du Pont family bequeathed the house to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
An excavation project soon began to restore the house back to how it looked during the era that Madison lived there. Much like Jefferson’s Poplar Forest home, this one too is largely unfinished. Archaelogical digs have determined the location of Madison’s boyhood home…while mice nests have turned up valuable information as to the color of the original wallpaper (along with pieces of parchment with Madison’s handwriting).
The history of the place was interesting and exciting, but being unfinished, the interior was less-than-thrilling to visit. It does not appear that the house will reach its full restoration by the targeted date of 2008.
Me at Montpelier
The unsightly ramps were there for the purpose of reconstructing the stoop in front of the house
Me in front of the house
Nail holes determined where paintings originally hung
The former parlor where Madison passed away
Also on the property was a small museum (not to be confused with the museum described below) of Madison artifacts, including the remnants found in the mouse nest
Friday, August 10, 2007 – The James Madison Museum – It was unfortunate that this was rather weak. Located near Montpelier in the county of Orange, Virginia, this official James Madison museum was in desperate need of some redecorating. In a word, it was chintzy. It did contain some furnishings and belongings of Madison but the whole thing was laid out poorly…and the Hall of Transportation and Agriculture, with a large display of farm tools, seemed grossly out of place.
About to enter the James Madison Museum
We illegally snapped a photo of me with Madison’s furiture. Note the cheesy display behind me
Friday, August 10, 2007 – James Madison’s Grave – Madison is buried on the Montpelier estate with his wife Dolley, whose (much smaller) marker is right beside his. The area of the Madison cemetery was very near his original boyhood home. Madison passed away on June 28, 1836. Crowds of people gathered outside his home rooting for him to hold out just another week and become the fourth U.S. President to die on the Fourth of July…much to Madison’s disdain.
The marker of Dolley Madison
Me and James Madison
Continue to the next President…
Return to Sunday in Virginia…
Return to Friday in Virginia…
Regards the ramps:
I can see a colonial-era Charlie Hall right now, saying–
“That’s the stoop up there–right in front of the house!”
Randy Skretvedt
October 2nd, 2007