When thinking about Presidential homes, the list most likely consists of the White House, Mount Vernon and Monticello. Montpelier, would maybe make the top ten. It is particularly ignored because of its close proximity to better known places. However, Montpelier is truly an incredible place that is just as worthy of a visit as Mount Vernon, Monticello or any other important historic site. Montpelier is located about two hours outside of Washington DC in Orange, Virginia, which is about half way between Fredericksburg and Charlottesville. It was built in 1723 by the Madison family and stayed in the family until 1844, when it was sold by Dolley Madison. It had a number of owners until it finally ended up with the duPont family, who made drastic changes to the architectural structure and look of the house. In 1984 it was willed to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the Estate is the state of the Mansion. When the National Trust gained ownership of the Estate they decided to return the Mansion to its 1820s architectural appearance. This was a huge task which took many years. It was not completed until 2008. This is an interesting experience, because from the outside it appears as it did in the 1820s, but there is still much work to be done on the inside. There are very few furnishings or interior decoration. This allows the focus to be on the man, the community at Montpelier and the restoration project. Although you don't get a sense of James Madison from his objects like you may of Thomas Jefferson at Monticello, it is very powerful to see ink stains on the floor of the room where Madison wrote the Constitution.
Montpelier is an incredibly unique and interesting sight, because it has a history which is different than most other sites. It does a great job of combining many different historical topics. They cover the beginning of the Estate: the Madisons, the slave community at Montpelier and how difficult life was during that period. They have recreated a Civil War encampment which was on site in the 1860s. To reflect the importance of the duPont era they retained the formal gardens which are in the early 1900s style and transplanted two duPont rooms from the Mansion to the visitor center before the restoration project.
There are a number of interactive activities for kids, so Montpelier is good for the whole family. Also, as it is not as well known at Monticello and Mount Vernon, you get a more intimate experience than you may at those places. Its close proximity to Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, a number of wineries and Civil War battlefields make in a perfect destination for a day trip. Montpelier is a great and easy destination and a site that everyone should visit.
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