Expedition Programs

The Montpelier Archaeology Expedition program has been operating annually for over a decade-and-a-half, allowing the interested public to work side-by-side with professional archaeologists to unearth Montpelier's past. With the help of Expedition Members, the Montpelier Archaeology Department has been able to explore numerous unique archaeological sites including: Mount Pleasant, the original homestead of the Madison family; the Gilmore Cabin, home of a freedman and former slave of James Madison, Jr.; the South Yard kitchen and Southwest Duplex, or the work area and homes of Madison's domestic slaves; the North kitchen; Dolley's Midden, a 19th-century trash dump; as well as unearthing the historic landscape to help restore Montpelier to the way it would have looked in the retirement years of James and Dolley Madison.

Participants in the Montpelier Archaeology Expedition program stay at Arlington House, an antebellum home located on the estate's historic grounds. At Arlington House, Expedition Members have access to a kitchen and laundry facilities set within a large home featuring a dining room, living room, screen porch and five large bedrooms. Sleeping facilities are dormitory style with two rooms reserved to accommodate couples. Participants will be responsible for preparing all of their meals.

The fee for the Expedition program is $650, which includes the lodging at Arlington House and assists in paying for trained archaeological staff whose salaries are provided from these fee-based programs, grants, and donations.

For more information on the Archaeology Expeditions, please contact the Director of Archaeology, Dr. Matthew Reeves. Dr. Reeves can be reached by email at mreeves@montpelier.org, or by telephone at (540) 672-2728 x160.