Archaeology at the Montpelier Mansion

Archaeologists have spent the past six years intensively excavating and studying archaeological deposits around the mansion.  These studies have shown the incredible preservation present across the mansion grounds and even in the cellar of the mansion.  In most areas of the mansion yard, the early-19th-century surface rests just inches below the present sod.  This incredible preservation is due to the landscape changes in the 1850s that resulted in many of the outbuildings being razed and allowed to return to sod.  Later owners, including the duPonts, made few changes to the surrounding yard resulting in the Madison-era deposits being left intact.

The intensive study of the mansion area has provided an understanding of the layout and use of the mansion and its associated grounds during the Madisons' 80-year (1764-1844) occupation of this land. 

There are three distinct zones at the mansion that have been the focus of archaeological investigations: the mansion grounds; the service complex (slave quarters and outbuildings); and the mansion cellars.  While excavated separately, all three are very much interrelated.  For example, the Madisons’ slaves were constantly moving between the work and storage areas of the mansion cellars and the service complex to the south of the mansion.  Direct evidence for this link is seen in the early 19th century path network connecting these two areas.  In turn, these two areas were set within the larger landscape in order to facilitate the running of the house, as well as to keep in harmony with the aesthetics of the grounds surrounding the mansion in the 18th and 19th century.  This interconnected nature of work areas and living areas of the slaves, the gardens, green lawns, and mansion of the Madisons means that one area cannot be fully understood without the other.

For more detailed information on these three main areas, click one of the links below: