Due to expected winter weather, Montpelier will close to the public today, March 2nd, at 12:30 PM. From 60 degrees to expected snow, we hope everyone is taking care with this unpredictable weather!

Montpelier M&Ms! M&M’s® Chocolate Candies We’re excited to introduce Montpelier’s custom M&Ms! Available now at our gift shop and online at shop.montpelier.org A fun new way to share our brand, delight our guests, and add a memorable touch to events and gatherings. History never tasted so good.

There is still time to register for Puzzling Out the Past: Rediscovering the Lives of Enslaved People at Montpelier February 28th! Researching enslaved people is one of the most challenging tasks a historian or genealogist can undertake, but why? In this program you will discover the unique

Exciting news from Montpelier! We’re proud to announce a $10,000 Forrest E. Mars, Jr. Chocolate History Grant supporting Constitutional Cocoa, an innovative initiative examining Dolley Madison’s diplomatic entertaining and the enslaved cooks whose culinary labor helped shape early American

There is still time to register for Puzzling Out the Past: Rediscovering the Lives of Enslaved People at Montpelier February 28th! Researching enslaved people is one of the most challenging tasks a historian or genealogist can undertake, but why? In this program you will discover the unique

This Friday!! Two Centuries of Gardening at Montpelier February 20th What kinds of gardens did the Madisons have at Montpelier? How did the duPonts’ gardens compare with the Madisons’? Shake off the chill of winter and enjoy a vision of spring in this virtual presentation by the Montpelier team of

Two Centuries of Gardening at Montpelier - February 20th What kinds of gardens did the Madisons have at Montpelier? How did the duPonts’ gardens compare with the Madisons’? Shake off the chill of winter and enjoy a vision of spring in this virtual presentation by the Montpelier team of senior

There's still time to register for Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series - February 18th! Warm up your mind this season with Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series—a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Across a series of three

Puzzling Out the Past: Rediscovering the Lives of Enslaved People at Montpelier - February 28th Researching enslaved people is one of the most challenging tasks a historian or genealogist can undertake, but why? In this program you will discover the unique challenges faced by researchers trying

Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series - February 18th! Warm up your mind this season with Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series—a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Across a series of three sessions we will have intriguing

Join us Friday Feb. 13th for the second of our Winter Chess Series! Warm up your mind this season with a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Register at buff.ly/jTExe6A

We bring history to YOU! The Montpelier Speaker Bureau connects audiences with scholars, historians, and museum professionals who bring the ideas, debates, and legacies of James Madison and the early American republic into contemporary conversation. Through engaging lectures, panel discussions,

We hope you have been staying warm through all the snow! Recent winter weather continues to impact site accessibility. Montpelier will be closed Friday the 30th, Saturday, the 31st and Sunday 1st.

Puzzling Out the Past: Rediscovering the Lives of Enslaved People at Montpelier - February 28th Researching enslaved people is one of the most challenging tasks a historian or genealogist can undertake, but why? In this program you will discover the unique challenges faced by researchers trying to

Puzzling Out the Past: Rediscovering the Lives of Enslaved People at Montpelier Feb. 28th Researching enslaved people is one of the most challenging tasks a historian or genealogist can undertake, but why? In this program you will discover the unique challenges faced by researchers trying to

Two Centuries of Gardening at Montpelier Feb. 20th What kinds of gardens did the Madisons have at Montpelier? How did the duPonts’ gardens compare with the Madisons’? Shake off the chill of winter and enjoy a vision of spring in this VIRTUAL presentation by the Montpelier team of senior research

Cleaning in Process! Montpelier will re-open after our annual Winter Maintenance January 17th. January Closure is a vital time of year - providing the Curatorial and Collections Department with essential time to complete important maintenance and cleaning projects which otherwise cannot be

Save the date for the Commemoration of 275th Anniversary of James Madison’s Birth! On March 16th, In honor of James Madison’s birthday, the United States Marine Corps Color Guard will lay the presidential wreath at the Madison Family Cemetery at Montpelier. The wreath laying will be held rain or

Today is National Bobblehead Day! Which of these dapper collectable figurines is your favorite? Complete the collection of presidential bobbleheads at the Montpelier Gift Shop.

Join us this Thursday Jan. 8th for the first of our Winter Chess Series! Warm up your mind this season with a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Register at www.montpelier.org/events/montp...

The birthplace of a Nation. James Madison's Montpelier is commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States. From its founding ideals to its leading figures, more of what made America happen, happened here in Virginia.

Montpelier's Winter Chess Series - January 8, 5:30pm-7:30pm Warm up your mind this season with Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series—a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Across a series of three sessions we will have

Happy New Years!! As we look at the view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, we are looking forward to celebrating America's 250th anniversary this 2026. Follow us for updates on special Va250 programming at James Madison's Montpelier.

Merry Christmas from your friends at James Madison's Montpelier! This holiday season we are reflecting on all the rich history across the Montpelier Property including James and Dolley Madison, the Constitution, the lives of the enslaved laborers, and the duPont Family Horse Races.

We are Locking Up! James Madison's Montpelier will be closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Happy Holidays from your history loving friends at Montpelier!

Montpelier's Winter Chess Series, Jan 8th! Warm up your mind this season with Montpelier’s Winter Chess Series—a program that blends history and hands-on play to help you gain a greater appreciation for the timeless game of chess. Across a series of three sessions we will have intriguing lectures,

James Madison's Montpelier will be closed January 1st - 16th for annual winter maintenance. January Closure is a vital time of year - providing the Curatorial and Collections Department with essential time to complete important maintenance and cleaning projects which otherwise cannot be completed

Thank you to everyone that joined us this past Friday Dec. 12th for our Holiday Open House & Winter Market! We enjoyed homemade crafts, colonial music from Ampersand, and delicious baked goods.

James Madison's Montpelier will be closed January 1st - 16th for annual winter maintenance. January Closure is a vital time of year - providing the Curatorial and Collections Department with essential time to complete important maintenance and cleaning projects which otherwise cannot be completed

Montpelier is proud to be voted Best Historical Experience, Best Tourist Attraction, Best Photo Location, and Best Historical Place in Orange County Voice's "Best of Orange Citizen's Choice Awards 2025"! We extend a BIG thank you to everyone that voted for us! Join us onsite as we begin celebrating

Each year on GivingTuesday, something extraordinary happens at Montpelier. Friends near and far come together in a spirit of generosity to keep this special place thriving, to ensure that the home of James and Dolley Madison continues to speak to the ideals and struggles that shape our democracy

On #Thanksgiving in 1907 #TheodoreRoosevelt and family took a train from Washington DC to visit #Montpelier, then the private home of William and Annie duPont. Read more about Roosevelt’s visit in this blog post about Montpelier’s presidential guests. www.montpelier.org/three-presid...

Kelley Fanto Deetz, Chief Advancement Officer for James Madison’s Montpelier, joined More Perfect and George Washington’s Mount Vernon for a convening of leaders of Presidential Centers and Sites to explore deeper collaboration to support Presidential Centers in sharing information, engaging in

(1/2) General #Lafayette visited Montpelier from November 15-19, 1824, and again in 1825. Ailsey Payne, #enslaved housemaid and later cook, had vivid memories of preparing for Lafayette’s first visit in 1824. Read her story at #MontpelierNamingProject. www.montpelier.org/the-naming-p...

#JamesMadison 1827: “Instances are not rare of confirmed health & even great longevity, in Constitutions feeble & frail in early life. Among the best means of promoting this result, are exercise & social recreations...” Explore 8 miles of trails at #MyMontpelier on #TakeAHikeDay!

#RevolutionaryWar Gen. #Lafayette made a triumphal return to the US in 1824, arriving at Montpelier #OTD. During a series of toasts at a dinner in Orange, Madison honored Lafayette for “his persevering devotion to the great principles of our Revolution.”

Consider the Constitution Ep 19: The Power of Place: Historic Preservation at James Madison's Montpelier In this special episode commemorating the 25th anniversary of the co-stewardship partnership between the National Trust for Historic Preservation and The Montpelier Foundation, host Dr. Katie

(1/4) It’s #NationalPickleDay! #Pickling was an important food preservation method in the 19th century. Montpelier’s #enslaved gardeners could produce fresh cucumbers and other vegetables and fruits for only a few weeks in the year,

#OTD 1825, Madison wrote to chastise stepson Payne Todd for a “long & mysterious absence” in Philadelphia, urging “My dear P.” to “Let the worst be known, that the best may be made of it.” Madison promised to pay Todd’s debts, but Todd’s struggles with debt and alcohol continued.

(1/4) The #VIP visitors are coming! #OTD in 1835, #DolleyMadison wrote to the Madisons’ friend William Cabell Rives: “Mr Madison ... will be very happy, as Mrs Madison will be, in the promised visit of the Vice-President, Mr Martini, and himself tomorrow.”

#VeteransDay Honoring the sons of Paul Jennings, Madison’s #enslaved valet, who served in the #CivilWar: John Jennings (5th US Colored Troops), Franklin Jennings (5th Mass. Colored Cavalry), and William Jennings (24th US Colored Troops; flag is shown). Library of Congress image

Introducing a NEW guide to exploring Virginia’s remarkable history — the Virginia 250 Passport! We’re thrilled to join @virginiahistory @visitvirginia @VA250 @colonialwmsburg @jyfmuseums @mount_vernon @tjmonticello and sites across the Commonwealth in this collaborative, statewide initiative to

(1/2) In a 1783 address to the States by Congress, Madison called #RevolutionaryWar #veterans “that illustrious & patriotic band of fellow Citizens, whose blood and whose bravery have defended the liberties of their Country.”

1/2) #OTD 1791, #JamesMadison made these observations on the #symmetry of #nature: “The planetary system, the greatest portion of the Universe, as yet brought under human observation, is regulated by fixed laws, and presents most demonstrably, a scene of order and proportion. ...

(1/3) In Nov. 1772, 21 yo #JamesMadison didn’t know what to do with his life. He wrote “I am too dull and infirm now to look out for any extraordinary things in this world, for I think my sensations for many months past have intimated to me not to expect a long or healthy life.”

(1/2) #OTD 1790, as #JamesMadison headed to Philadelphia, he left a long list of instructions for his overseers, including directions to "get a plow made by Moses." Learn more about Moses's life and work at #MontpelierNamingProject. www.montpelier.org/the-naming-p...

Montpelier extends our thoughts and prayers to Dick Cheney's family and friends after their loss. Cheney served as the 46th vice president of the United States from 2001 to 2009 under President George W. Bush and visited Montpelier back in 2014. Photo by Jen Fariello

We are BACK! James Madison's Montpelier's magazine "We the People" has officially returned! Montpelier's flagship publication, We The People, highlights the best of Montpelier's wonderful programs, news, and museum changes. You can have a look and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter,

(1/2) Whether you #voted early or are heading to the polls today, take a moment on #ElectionDay to appreciate the opportunity to make your voice heard. As #JamesMadison wrote in 1824, "The U.S. are now furnishing models & lessons to all the world ...

Tomorrow is #ElectionDay! But it’s too late to #vote for #JamesMadison or #JamesMonroe, who faced off in a Congressional election in 1789. Read our post to learn how the election sometimes paralleled–and sometimes diverged from–a typical election today.