Archaeology of the Mansion's Landscape

Archaeological surveys and excavations conducted around the mansion have revealed that a remarkable portion of the archaeological deposits relating to the Madisons’ occupation of the mansion are preserved in the yard. In most areas, the Madison-era landscape is only 6 inches from the surface and has witnessed minimal disturbance since the mid-19th century. From studying these archaeological deposits, we have come to understand that two very different landscape schemes were in place between the 18th century and the early-19th century. These landscape schemes include the 18th-century layout of James Madison, Sr., (father to the president) when the mansion was first built in 1760 and the later changes that James and Dolley made to the house and grounds prior to retiring from the White House to Montpelier in 1817.

Detailed excavations and painstaking laboratory analysis have provided overall images for the landscape and the pleasure grounds: