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Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings

	MONTPELIER Virginia
Orange County, on Va. 20, about 4 miles west of Orange. Montpelier Travel Itinerary

Ownership and Administration. Privately owned.

Significance. James Madison, President and statesman, owned Montpelier (Montpellier) for 76 years. He was born in King George County in 1751. In 1760 his father moved to Orange County to settle on a tract of land that had been in the family since 1723. There his father built the central portion of the present house. Madison lived at Montpelier all his life except for periods of public service—notably as a Member of the Continental Congress, 1780-83; as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1787, in which he helped draft the Constitution; as a Member of Congress, 1789-97; as Jefferson's Secretary of State, 1801-9; and as fourth President, 1809-17.

During Madison's first term as President, he retained William Thornton and Benjamin H. Latrobe to remodel the house. They added single one-story wings to both sides and changed the exterior walls from brick to Virginia limestone; apparently Madison later added the huge Doric portico. After serving his second term, he and his wife, Dolley, retired to Montpelier, where they held court for an unending succession of visitors, including Lafayette and Daniel Webster. After Madison's death, in 1836, at the age of 85, Dolley returned to Washington, where she lived until her death, 13 years later. She and her husband are buried at Montpelier.

Montpelier, Virginia, home of President James Madison for 76 years, features a huge Doric portico. It is today a private residence.

Present Appearance. In 1907 the owners of the house enlarged the wings and raised them to a level with the central portion of the house. Montpelier retains its historic appearance. Except for the Madison family cemetery, it is not open to the public. The grounds are beautifully landscaped and have been carefully maintained, as has the house.

NHL Designation: 12/19/60