Public Seminar: James Madison, almost everything you wanted to know

The Robert H. Smith Center for Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier is a nonpartisan wellspring of constitutional learning. For over two decades, the Center has been hosting superb, residential Seminars for Educators, Law Enforcement, International Groups, Scholars, and others. Now anyone can experience that rich, intimate, intellectual retreat experience onsite at Montpelier in a small cohort with a maximum of 30 attendees. Over the course of three days, participants will spend about 10 hours in the classroom with former Center for the Constitution Scholar in Residence Dr. Lynn Uzzell, have an intimate guided experience in the House and Exhibits, an opportunity to sleep onsite and go for guided walks in Montpelier’s woods. Our goal is to provide everyone the opportunity to deeply ponder the life James Madison, those he worked with, and the people on this site who made it possible for Madison to have a lasting world impact.

During this Seminar, Dr. Lynn Uzzell will lead presentations and discussions on the Declaration of Independence and the philosophical origins of the American experiment; James Madison as Father of the Constitution and Architect of the Bill of Rights, Madison at the 1787 Constitutional Convention, his record on slavery, and as a powerful proponent of Religious Freedom.   

Costs: The cost of the Seminar is $1,100 to stay onsite two nights and with six meals provided. Participants staying offsite, or sharing a room onsite with a spouse or partner, have a cost of $800.  All Montpelier Members receive a 10% discount on their cost. Since participation is limited to 30 people, the timing of application via this website will be considered as well as membership status. Questions should be directed to the Director of the Center for the Constitution, Patrick Campbell pcampbell@montpelier.org.

Online APPLICATION FORM.

About Dr. Lynn Uzzell
Lynn Uzzell is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Bethel University in St. Paul, MN. She specializes in the Constitutional Convention of 1787 and the political thought of James Madison. Her current projects include studies in the integrity of Madison’s Notes of the Constitutional Convention and Madison’s understanding of the Free Exercise clause. She has previously taught at Baylor University, the University of Richmond, the University of Virginia, and Washington and Lee University. She was also the scholar in residence at the Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier and the founding director of the Summer Civics Institute at the University of Virginia. She received her B.A. in speech communications at Black Hills State University and her M.A. and Ph.D. in politics at the University of Dallas. As a professor, Uzzell has a passion for teaching effective and civil communication as an antidote to today’s divisive partisanship. Her episodes on Montpelier’s Consider the Constitution Podcast, S2 Episode 1 and S1 Episode 2, are some of the most popular on the program.  Outside of work, she enjoys cooking for friends and family, going on long country rambles, and tending her kitchen garden.