Reconstruct: Architecture, Gardening, and Cooking Programs

Join us in our Reconstruct Expeditions!

Reconstruct Expeditions resume in September 2025.

What is a Reconstruction/Restoration Expedition Program?

Hands-on Learning with professionals!

We have been running reconstruction and restoration programs for the past decade. What all of these involve is hands-on restoration/reconstruction of buildings, cooking, and garden landscaping here at Montpelier. These programs are all hands-on where you work with professionals on sites here at Montpelier. You will be learning skills that you can use in your own life–whether it be architectural restoration, architectural recording or hearth-cooking.

September 7-12: Reconstruct: Historic Masonry Expedition with Fairfield

September 25-26: Excavate: Blacksmithing Two Day Excavation Expedition

Recording the Sarah Johnson House--next image is 3D model developed from this expedition program.

3D model of Sarah Johnson House--the Johnson House is a late 19th century home of an African American household who worked at Montpelier.

Cooking program in South Yard--participants learned how to cook, bake, and roast on an open hearth using period techniques,

Building a masonry wall in the South Yard--participants learn mortar repairs for historic restoration

Participants planting locust trees in grove at main house based on tree holes located through archaeology.

Choose the Program you would like to learn more information about.

We run four different Reconstruction/Restoration programs:

Historic Building Documentation programs–where participants work with our Historic Architectural Technician to learn how to draw and document historic structures
Garden Restoration–where participants work with our Head Horticulturalist to restore garden landscapes
Historic Building Restoration–where participants learn restoration techniques for repairing historic structures
Cooking Program–where participants make the historic yard spaces come alive with hearth-based cooking programs with cooking experts such as Jerome Bias