Connecting the Past to the Present
Montpelier's African American Descendants' Project seeks to identify and create bridges to living descendants of the African American women and men who were enslaved at Montpelier and elsewhere in Orange County, Virginia. Beyond this, Montpelier researchers and scholars wish to expand the local, regional, and national African American community whose members identify and connect with the history of James Madison's Montpelier.
The Descendants’ Project works with the Montpelier Research Department on documentary research regarding the enslaved community at Montpelier and the surrounding areas during the Madison ownership. In addition, the Archaeology department engages with members of the Descendants’ Community in annual excavation programs called Expeditions. These groups also provide essential advice on, and collaboration with, our programs to interpret African American history.
The Descendants’ Project works with the Montpelier Research Department on documentary research regarding the enslaved community at Montpelier and the surrounding areas during the Madison ownership. In addition, the Archaeology department engages with members of the Descendants’ Community in annual excavation programs called Expeditions. These groups also provide essential advice on, and collaboration with, our programs to interpret African American history.