The Montpelier Foundation

"Montpelier Names Eola Lewis Dance as President & CEO" “We are thrilled beyond belief to welcome Eola Dance as our new President and CEO,” said Hasan Kwame Jeffries, chair of the board of directors of TMF. “Montpelier is a national treasure, and Eola has the experience, expertise, enthusiasm, and vision to lead Montpelier to new and exciting heights.” Show your support of Montpelier by becoming a Member or make a donation today, https://lnkd.in/eEAST48y

#OTD 1801, William Madison listed Shadrach as one of the 12 enslaved people that his brother-in-law Isaac Hite received as an inheritance from the estate of James Madison Sr. Read Shadrach's story on Montpelier's Naming Project:

#OTD in 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes gave a speech at Montpelier: “In view of this beautiful scene, the magnificent range of the Blue Ridge, this verdant lawn and hospitable mansion, here at the home of Madison, we may surely say ... there are no troubles that can arise in the administrative affairs of our country that cannot be settled by recurrence to the principles of Madison, which inculcate the submission of all sections, States, communities, and citizens to the Constitution and laws of the land. … let us all hope that, with a model Constitution to guide us, the worst that can ever befall us is over.” Read more about Hayes and other presidential visitors to Montpelier here:

#OTD in 1817, the cornerstone was laid for Central College (future University of Virginia). As an original member of the Board of Visitors, James Madison was there for the ceremony! He later succeeded Jefferson as the second Rector of the University. 1856 View of the University of Virginia, Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division

Like many of us, James Madison looked back on one special teacher who influenced him. Under Donald Robertson, Madison “studied the Latin & Greek Languages, was taught to read but not to speak French; and besides Arithmetic and Geography, made some progress in Algebra & Geometry.” Madison remembered Robertson as “a man of extensive learning, and a distinguished Teacher.” Celebrate #WorldTeachersDay today, and give a shoutout to your most memorable teacher in the comments! Photo by Larry Bouterie, courtesy of Montpelier.

What path did Charity’s life take? What can we infer about a person whose name only appears in James Madison’s father’s tax records? Read about Charity at #MontpelierNamingProject:

Getting excited about this weekend’s Fall Fiber Festival at Montpelier? James Madison was excited about sheep too! Read about “James Madison and Merino Mania” on Montpelier’s Digital Doorway, and learn how Madison hoped to improve the quality of American wool.

Did you know that today is Random Acts of Poetry Day? Dolley Madison often quoted a few lines of poetry before signing her name, whenever someone asked for her autograph. Here’s an autograph from our collection, dated August 27, 1847, on which Dolley wrote a stanza from John Quincy Adams’s hymn “The Hour-Glass”: “Time is the measure but of change, No present hour is found, The past, the future, fill the range Of time’s unceasing round…” Want to commit a Random Act of Poetry? Share a line from your favorite poem in the comments!

With Madison’s re-election approaching, Jefferson wrote this to a friend #OTD 1812: “you probably do not know mr Madison personally, or at least intimately as I do. I have known him from 1779. when he first came into the public councils; and from three & thirty years trial, I can say conscientiously that I do not know in the world a man of purer integrity, more dispassionate, disinterested, & devoted to genuine republicanism; nor could I, in the whole scope of America & Europe point out an abler head. he may be illy seconded by others, betrayed by the Hulls & Arnolds of our country, for such there are in every country; and with sorrow & suffering we know it. but what man can do will be done by mr Madison. I hope therefore there will be no difference among republicans as to his re-election: and we shall know his value when we have to give him up, and to look at large for his successor.” Photo courtesy of Montpelier, a National Trust site.

It’s National Coffee Day! Henry Barnard started the day with coffee when visiting Montpelier in August 1833. Since James Madison had already breakfasted before Henry got up, Henry wrote that “Mrs. M. and myself sat down to the table – fine coffee – cold boiled ham – herring – warm and cold bread and tea constituted the repast.” This coffee and tea service by Parisian manufacturer P. L. Dagoty was owned by James and Dolley Madison and descended in the family of Dolley’s sister, Anna Payne Cutts. Gift of Stephen and Gertrude Akers. Photo courtesy of Montpelier, a National Trust site.