Reconstruct: Historic Masonry Expedition at Montpelier (two-day)

This is a two, hands-on educational experience in which you will work side-by-side with professional archaeologists and masons on actual archaeological and historic sites at Montpelier  Get behind the scenes tours of historic buildings and hands on masonry experience.

The program begins on Wednesday night with a dinner at Montpelier and the next two days (Thursday and Friday) will be spent working with the Montpelier Archaeology Team and experts on masonry repairs at two historic buildings at James Madison’s Montpelier–an 1840s plantation main house (Arlington) and a late 19th century blacksmith shop forge. The expedition group will focus on replacing the failed mortar joints at Arlington House’s historic chimneys as well as repairs to a blacksmithing forge both dating from 1800s.

Preliminary Schedule:

Wednesday Sept 10th

• 10:00 arrive at Montpelier at CALM–
• 11:00 tour of Main House and Mere Distinction of Colour
• 1:00 cellar tour
• 2:00 tour of blacksmith shop
• 3:00 tour of Arlington House
• 4:00 training for joint repair
• 6:00 Dinner at Arlington House

Thursday Sept 11th

• 8:00 artifacts of masonry (CALM)
• 10:00-4:00 repairs at Arlington and Blacksmith shop (rotating) 

Friday Sept 12th 

• 8:00-9:00 visit lime kiln at Cowherd tract
• 9:30-2:00 repairs at Arlington and Blacksmith shop (rotating) 
• 2:00-3:00- reception
• 3:00 depart Montpelier

Costs and Deposit

Cost: $500.00 for the week

Deposit: $300.00

We have payment options– a non-refundable deposit is all you need to reserve your space on one of our programs!

Note:  We have scholarships for members of the Montpelier Descendants Committee. Please email dig@montpelier.org for more information.

If you have any questions, please email: Dig@montpelier.org