The Montpelier Fund

The Montpelier Fund is the cornerstone of Montpelier's fundraising activities. It is the lifeblood that sustains Montpelier year after year, and allows the Foundation to continue its stewardship of Montpelier, the historic home of James and Dolley madison. The Montpelier Foundation uses these funds on a daily basis to help realize its mission of education and preservation through the following initiatives:

Estate and Mansion

The Montpelier estate, rich with formal gardens, dozens of buildings in addition to the mansion, heritage trees, open lawns and a steeplechase course, is cared for by gifts made to the Montpelier Fund. These unrestricted gifts support the behind-the-scenes work that enables the Foundation to keep Montpelier's doors open throughout the year.

Center for the Constitution

The Center for the Constitution is the nexus of the Foundation's education mission. Teachers come to the Center to work with some of the nation's most outstanding Constitutional scholars and partcipate in seminars and study programs focused on the Constitution and James Madison's thoughts and writings. Through this program, Montpelier enables teachers to provide insightful lessons on the Constitution and give each rising generation a deeper understanding of the vlaues and responsibilities of citizenship.

Archaeological Research

The archaeology staff conducts research, surveys and field schools. Archaeologists have excavated the site of Mount Pleasant, the home in which James Madison was raised, discovered a slave burial ground, and unearthed Civil War encampments. Ongoing archaeology helps in interpreting the lives of the Madisons and enslaved African American who worked on the estate.

James Madison Landmark Forest

Montpelier is home to the 200-acre James Madison Landmark Forest. One of the last old-growth stands in the Piedmont, the Forest contains ancient oaks, hickories, and tulip poplars. The Landmark Forest is easily accessible to guests through a network of walking paths.

The Gilmore Cabin

The Gilmore Cabin, a restored home of an emancipated slave, allows visitors a glimpse into the lives of an African American family establishing themselves as free citizens after the Civil War.

Exhibits

Exhibits, both permanent and changing, are an essential part of the visitor expeience. Current exhibits include: "Treasures of Montpelier" located in the Joe and Marge Grills Gallery, "James Madison: Architect of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights" which honours the pivotal role James Madison played in the creation of the Constitution, "Public Places ~ Private Spaces: The Madison Dining Room", and "Search for the Treasures from the Madisons' Collections," featuring a collection of Madison period furniture.

Educational Tours and Programs

Montpelier offers tours every day of the week. In addition to Restoration tours of the mansion, specialty tours provide a window into the many different aspects of Madison's life and Montpelier's history. Over 3,500 children visit each year with their schools, learning about madison and the period in which he lived.

Donors to the Montpelier Fund enjoy many privileges of membership, depending on the levels of giving. Among the various levels of the Montpelier Fund, the Madison Cabinet represents the most important circle of sponsors and advisors dedicated to establishign Montpelier as a national historic site and as the leading resource on Constitutional education. Members of the Cabinet provide an annual leadership gift of $5,000 or more to support the operation and advancement of Montpelier.