Renovation to Clip Montpelier's Wings - Madison mansion of 1820 set to emerge

The Washington Post ^ | 10/20/2003 | Linda Hales

[HenryLeeII]

After 18 months of meticulous investigation, the overseers of Montpelier, the historic Virginia home of James Madison, have decided to demolish more than half the mansion to better serve his memory.

Flush with a $20 million gift from the estate of philanthropist Paul Mellon, the Montpelier Foundation will announce today that it will return the porticoed salmon-pink residence to the size and appearance that Madison, fourth president and father of the Constitution, knew in the 1820s.

[HenryLeeII]

James Madison is truly among the most overlooked Americans of his, or any, generation. The fact that he and his writings are unknown to many in the younger generations of today bode ill for the Republic.

[HenryLeeII]

James Madison ping...and shameless self-promotional bump for my first ever post...

[SubMareener]

This is an outrage! The charm of Montpelier is how it spans the centuries! Anyone who is really interested in all of American history should make a beeline to Orange Virginia and vist before it is destroyed.

[4CJ]

James Madison ping...and shameless self-promotional bump for my first ever post...

Bump for shamelessness. Not!

[HenryLeeII]

Well, it depends on how you want to interpret the building. As the article states, there is currently no national monument to Madison and he doesn't appear on currency, etc., so if the house is to be his monument then this renovation is necessary. James Madison is certainly more important than (with all due respect) the du Pont family as far as our history is concerned. Mike Quinn was at Mount Vernon long enough to know how to handle this type of renovation with the skill and integrity necessary (the mansion at Mt. Vernon had a similar renovation when additions made by later generations were added, and original paint colors and wall paper were investigated and restored).

[HenryLeeII]

I'm wondering if, for a final touch when the renovation is complete, they'll put an 1820's-era Dodge Charger up on blocks in front of the mansion?

[Gianni]

there is currently no national monument to Madison and he doesn't appear on currency, etc.,

Monument to Madison is the existence of his Constitution, essentially unmolested, yet unfortunately too often ignored. Most sad that 90% of Americans couldn't tell you who wrote it.

[rightazrain]

Sorry, I disagree. We've visited Montpelier twice and both times it was a very confusing experience.

The place is still called Montpelier. The signs all say, James Madison's home. Yet, when you arrive, the DuPont huge changes to the house make it impossible to appreciate the original structure. The tour guides spend most of their time explaining what changes were made to the original structure. Staircases were moved, walls moved, and whole wings added.

The compromise is wonderful. The DuPont era will be featured in a separate building.

Bravo, I'm excited! James Madison deserves nothing less.

[HenryLeeII]

...And many of the 10% who can identify its author are busy perverting its meanings (i.e. where is this right to privacy the abortionistas and "queer as folks" crowd keep blathering about?)...

[Ditto]

James Madison is truly among the most overlooked Americans of his, or any, generation.

Ditto bump to that. Good first post.

[4CJ]

I'm wondering if, for a final touch when the renovation is complete, they'll put an 1820's-era Dodge Charger up on blocks in front of the mansion?

That's Jefferson, Madison would be an 1816 Sedan de Ville. Hamilton would be a 1832 Imperial.

[Moose4]

Well, since I went to James Madison University, one gray, cloudy day there in 1986, I decided to find out just where my school's namesake was buried. So I drove off over the mountains from Harrisonburg and eventually found my way into Orange County, where I saw a road sign saying "JAMES MADISON CEMETERY".

It turns out that he and Dolly are (or were) buried at the end of a dirt road, in a fairly small plot just off the highway near Montpelier. I was surprised how small, plain, and overgrown it was.

}:-)4

[HenryLeeII]

That's Jefferson, Madison would be an 1816 Sedan de Ville. Hamilton would be a 1832 Imperial.

Yes, but they all paled in comparison to General Washington's '76 Mustang! Historians overlook this important aspect when discussing how he got down to Yorktown so quickly in the Fall of '81!

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

my first ever post...

Fantastic start!

[HenryLeeII]

Thank you, kind sir! I have an interest in early U.S. history and am trying to get some more relevant articles up on the boards.

[stainlessbanner]

Very cool. Amazing they still have 2,700 acres - most families gradually sell off their inheritance.

[mrsmith]

A good night bump for the only sitting president to strap on some pistols and go out to the enemy (unfortunately it was his own fault they were there).

His reputation will only continue to grow. What a guy, and what a great bunch he was a member of.