Public Notice

Regarding the Initiation of Section 106 Review of Three Slave Quarter Sites at Montpelier

Proposed impact area of the archaeology study. Click on image for larger map.

The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) has provided The Montpelier Foundation (Foundation) with a grant to begin a three year archaeological study of the sites of slave quarters at James Madison’s Montpelier. NEH is an independent grant-making agency of the United States government dedicated to supporting research, education, preservation, and public programs in the humanities. This public notice is issued as part of NEH’s responsibilities under 36 C.F.R. Part 800, the regulations which implement Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 470. NEH, as a funding agency, is required by regulation to identify and assess the effects of any proposed actions on historic properties. If any proposed action will have an adverse effect on historic resources, NEH works with the appropriate parties to seek ways to avoid, minimize, or mitigate any adverse effects. Additionally, the Section 106 regulations require NEH to consider the views of the public on preservation issues when making final decisions that affect historic properties.

Montpelier is a property of the National Trust for Historic Preservation and is recognized as a National Historic Landmark. The Foundation proposes to use archaeological excavations to compare sites representing three different parts of the enslaved community at Montpelier. The three sites to be examined were all occupied by Montpelier slaves during the 1810s-1830s and consist of the South Yard (quarters for house slaves located immediately to the south of the mansion), the Stable Quarter (quarters for skilled artisans located between the South Yard and the Montpelier Visitor Center), and the Field Quarter (quarters for field slaves located downhill from the Montpelier Visitor Center). The immediate area of the three sites consists of lawns and pasture that are in direct or close proximity to the core visitor areas at Montpelier.

The Foundation’s archaeological staff will excavate 5ft x 5ft excavation units at all three sites to reveal an area of at least 80ft x 90ft for any below-ground features such as hearths, chimney bases, post holes, footers for buildings, trash pits, sub-floor pits, and pavements. These features will then be excavated and documented to not only recover artifacts but also to help understand the types of structures and activities that were at these sites. The Foundation hopes that this information from the archaeological record will allow insight into the daily lives of slaves at Montpelier and how individual households built a larger community at the plantation and beyond.

In this initial public notice, NEH is providing information about the Montpelier project and its effects on historic properties. We are also seeking public input on the project, and would appreciate comments identifying any concerns or issues pertinent to the project by November 12, 2010. Comments may be submitted to the NEH via e-mail at gencounsel@neh.gov or by regular mail to: National Endowment for the Humanities, Office of the General Counsel 1100 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room 529, Washington, DC 20506.

Update

• December 23, 2010

At this time, the NEH offers the following secondary notification: Second Public Notice.