Exterior Paints

Exterior Trim
Best Commercial Match: Benjamin Moore #OC-11 “Clay Beige”

Yellow Exterior Doors
Best Commercial Match: Sherwin-Williams #SW2343 “Grillework Gold”

Brown Exterior Doors
Best Commercial Match: Benjamin Moore #HC-73 “Plymouth Brown”

Shutters
Best Commercial Match: Pratt and Lambert Williamsburg Color Collection CW 423 “Buffet Green”

Interior Paints

Trim:
Best Commercial Match: Pratt and Lambert Williamsburg Color Collection #704

Baseboards: Gray
Best Commercial Match: Benjamin Moore #HC-167 “Amherst gray”

Interior Doors: Yellow Ocher
Benjamin Moore #2165-30 “Golden Retriever”

Wall Color in North Passage (Upper and Lower) and Large Bedroom:
Best Commercial Match: Benjamin Moore # 2161-40 “acorn yellow” (Flat)

Nelly’s Best Room Closet:
Best Commercial Match: Benjamin Moore #HC-151 “Buckland Blue”

The National Society of James Madison Descendants maintains the official website for the living collateral descendants of James Madison, with genealogical information and useful links: http://www.jamesmadisonfamily.com

Casual, non-flash photography for personal use, on a cell phone, tablet or camera is permitted in the House and Gallery spaces at the discretion of Montpelier staff. Audio or video recording is not permitted in the House or Gallery spaces. Commercial or group tour photography must be authorized prior to visit. Tripods, selfie sticks, large camera bags, camera equipment, and video cameras are not permitted in the House and Gallery spaces.

View the full photo policy here.

If you would like to use the grounds of James Madison's Montpelier for photos or videos, please fill out the request form.

James Madison's Montpelier strives to provide the best possible accessibility to the Mansion, grounds, and facilities to meet our visitors' diverse abilities and needs. However, spending time at Montpelier does involve a fair amount of standing and walking, including a 2/3-mile round-trip walk with an incline from the Visitor Center to the Mansion.  Although all paths in the visitor areas are wheelchair accessible, there may be uneven surfaces and steep grades that some might find difficult.

Parking

There are eight handicapped parking spaces available at the Visitor Center.

Restrooms

Accessible restrooms, each with a water fountain nearby, are located in the Visitor Center and near the mansion.

Visiting with Infants

Baby changing stations are available at bathrooms in the Visitor Center and at the satellite facility near the mansion. Strollers are not allowed in the mansion.  No food or drink other than water is allowed in the mansion and water bottles must remain closed.

Limited Mobility

Visitors with limited mobility are advised to build extra time into their schedule.

All paths in visitor areas are wheelchair accessible. The mansion is three stories, including the cellars. The first floor and cellar of the mansion are wheelchair accessible; a handheld dvd experience is available for those who cannot climb to the second story.  If you need assistance with mobility, we recommend that you bring your own wheelchair.  Standard wheelchairs and 3 electric scooters are available are available at the Visitor Center at no extra charge on a first-come, first-served basis.

Hearing Impaired

The introductory film at the Visitor Center is closed-captioned. Printed house tour scripts are also available for the deaf and hearing-impaired.

Visually Impaired

Blind and partially sighted visitors can experience their tour with the added touch of objects and more in-depth visual descriptions.

Dogs

Service animals are welcome at Montpelier, which follows the U.S. Department of Justice’s ADA requirements for service animals. Visitors are not allowed to bring emotional support animals into the Montpelier's House, buildings or exhibits.

Guidelines and Tips

Spending time at Montpelier involves a fair amount of walking and standing. To ensure the best experience for every guest, we ask that you observe the following:

• Smoking is allowed in designated areas only, situated outside the Visitor Center and and in the back lawn of the mansion.
• Photography and video are permitted on the grounds of Montpelier. Casual, non-flash photography for personal use, on a cell phone, tablet, or camera is permitted in the House and Gallery spaces at the discretion of Montpelier staff. Audio or video recording is not permitted in the House or Gallery spaces. Commercial or group tour photography must be authorized prior to visit. Tripods, selfie sticks, large camera bags, camera equipment, and video cameras are not permitted in the House and Gallery spaces. Photos and video are only allowed for your personal use. Requests for commercial use should be forwarded to our Communications Department using this form. 
• Food, drink, and chewing gum are prohibited in the House.
• Eating, drinking, and flash photography are prohibited in the galleries.
• Cell phones must be on silent or vibrate mode while inside the House.
• Service animals are permitted throughout the property. Leashed dogs that are not service animals are welcome on the grounds, but are not permitted indoors. Pet owners are asked to curb their dogs.

Absolutely. Explore the 8+ miles of trails that traverse the Montpelier property, go for a run, or enjoy the scenery. You'd be remiss, however, not to take one of our tours, led by interpreters knowledgeable about all things James Madison.

There are many excellent books available at the Montpelier Visitor Center, including The Madisons at Montpelier: Reflections on the Founding Couple by Ralph Ketcham; James Madison: A Life Reconsidered by Lynne Cheney; and A Perfect Union: Dolley Madison and the Creation of the American Nation by Catherine Allgor.

Requests for permission to reproduce an image in The Montpelier Foundation collections and/or the National Trust for Historic Preservation collections stewarded by Montpelier must be made in writing and include intended use, the publisher, date of publication and print run. For website use, please include the website address. Any and all associated reproduction fees are payable in advance, whether or not the image is used. Note that images from Montpelier’s collections may not be reproduced without the written consent of The Montpelier Foundation. Refer to the Conditions for Reproduction Rights for complete information. All requests must be made at least eight weeks in advance of the date needed.

Please send all rights and reproductions permissions requests concerning objects in The Montpelier Foundation collections to the Curatorial Department at collections@montpelier.org.

• Application for Reproduction Permission – The Montpelier Foundation

Memberships can be purchased online, at the David M. Rubenstein Visitor Center, and by contacting members@montpelier.org.