James Madison's Montpelier VA Estate-- Rebuilding the House that James Built

For the last three years, I recommended you should not even consider visiting the estate until 2010 or 2011. But the times, they are a-changing.

2011 Update: Here's why now MAY be the time for you to visit-- especially if you go on Sept. 17 (Constitution Day) or Nov. 11 (Veteran's Day).

But before I go own, here's a little history about Madison and his house.

James Madison and the History of Montpelier VA

James Madison's home, Montpelier, is undergoing restoration.

Originally a tobacco plantation, Montpelier was the life-long home of James Madison. He spent his childhood there, and returned after marrying his wife, Dolley (yes, that Dolley Madison). After his presidency, returned to the estate and died here in his study in 1836.

Built in 1760, Montpelier VA was originally a 10-room Georgian mansion. After his marriage, he added two flanking wings. However, to get into the wings you had to go out the front door and step into the wings from separate entrances (guess he had a mother-in-law!).

Aside from being known as the first "First Lady," Dolley Madison is famous for saving the portrait of George Washington when the British burned down the original White House during the War of 1812. She also founded an important White House tradition: the annual Easter Egg Hunt on the South Lawn.

Anyway, four years after Madison died, Dolley sold the house and moved back to Washington. The house was owned by six families over the next 50 years. When the Dupont family purchased it, they added 30 rooms to Madison's 20 room mansion. Marion Dupont Scott gave the house to the Montpelier Foundation upon her death in 1987, with the request that it be returned to the way it looked during Madison's time.

Today the estate features the mansion, some historic buildings, exhibits on Madison and the Dupont family, archaeological sites, gardens, a Visitor Center, barns, horse-racing fields, and a freedman's cabin and farm.

Here's When I Recommend Visiting...

That's good or bad, depending on your view. It's good if you think it's a good use of money to spend vast amounts to restore it to exactly how it looked during Madison's time. (Even if it means tearing down otherwise beautifully-appointed additions.)

The rooms are stripped down to replaster the walls.

It's bad if you're expecting the whopping $16 admission fee to be well-spent. In my opinion, it hasn't been for years, but may be if you visit on discount admission days like these:

• Constitution Day (Sept. 17) - $10 admission per car


• Veteran's Day - Free admission for veterans and military members


• James Madison's birthday (March 14) - Free admission


• Dolly Madison's birthday (May 20) - Free admission if your name is Dolly or your birthday is the same day

I first went to Montpelier VA on the 257th anniversary of James Madison's birth. To celebrate his life, the foundation offered free admission to all visitors.

It was a good thing. While the introductory audio/visual lecture about the renovation was intriguing, the visit to the house was such a let-down that I would have been supremely ticked off had we had to pay $12 each to see bare studs, plaster, and drop cloths.

Okay, I'm starting to sound really negative, so let me three final points before I give you the specifics on what you'll see (plus a few positive comments).

First, while I know that Marion Dupont Scott asked for Montpelier to be returned to as it was during Madison's time, it seems like such a waste. It's not as if the Duponts' additions were hideous, and there are plenty of historic homes where later additions to the house do nothing to detract from the authenticity and enjoyment of the tour. (Ash Lawn-Highland is a perfect example.)

Second, if they're going to do such drastic renovations, and limit visitors to a handful of empty rooms stripped down to plaster and/or studs, they should really lower the admission fee to reflect that. Okay, I'll get off my soapbox now!

Or, Consider These (Cheaper) Local Attractions Instead...

• Thomas Jefferson's Thomas Jefferson's Monticello


• Ash Lawn-Highland, home of James Monroe


• Michie Tavern


• Carter's Mountain Orchard (best view in Cville)


• Charlottesville