We chose Montpelier and we were so glad we did! They are in the process of renovating the home and grounds still and trying to reclaim the family's possessions. And it is still an active archeological site! The employees were excited and thrilled to be part of this process and this really echoed back to us tourists. Our group was small, only 10 in the group which allowed for almost a more personal tour. It is a beautiful home and gardens. And we are looking forward to returning in 10 years and seeing how far they have come along.
This was my favorite of the 3 Presidential homes we saw as it is still in the discovery mode. It has only recently been re-opened.
"The Montpelier estate was formed in 1723 when Ambrose Madison, President James Madison's grandfather, and his brother-in-law, Thomas Chew, were deeded 4,675 acres in the newly opened Piedmont of Virginia. To receive final title, he had three years to clear the land and build a house.
For more than 120 years – from 1723 until 1844 when Dolley Madison sold the property – the Madisons owned Montpelier. Montpelier was the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth president of the United States. It was here that he read, researched, and thought more deeply about our republican form of government than any other Founding Father."
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