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Home of the 4th President and Father of the Constitution. Montpelier was home to three generations of Madisons, from 1723 to 1844. Today, Montpelier consists of 2700 acres of gardens, forests, fields, and an expansive view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Subjects of educational programs for students include 18th and 19th Century plantation life, slavery, the creation of the Constitution and Bill of Rights, James and Dolley Madison’s personal lives, archaeology, natural history, the process of historic restoration, and the life of an emancipated family during the era of Reconstruction. All programs are ‘hands-on.’

Website address: www.montpelier.org

Location/Address: 13385 Farm Rd. ; Montpelier Station, VA 22957

Directions: 4 miles south of the town of Orange on Rt.20.

Education Contact at Site: Christian Cotz

Phone: (540)672-2728x401 Email Address: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Theme Addressed at Site: Land of Leadership; Place of National Beauty and Rural Character

Education Programs and Corresponding SOL 

Programs We Can Do at our Site:

Land of Leadership:

No Press Allowed
Grades 3-7. SOLs: SOL3.1, SOL3.10, SOL3.11, VS.1, VS.6, USI.1, USI.7, CE.1, CE.2
Students portray the delegates to the 1787 Convention to learn how our government was created.
1 hour

Founding Papers
Grades 7-12. SOLs: CE.1-3, VUS.1-5, GOVT.1a, GOVT.4-5
An advanced discussion about the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and their primary author.
1 hour

Madison at Home
Grades 2-6. SOLs: SOL3.1, VS.1, VS.4, VS.6, USI.1, USI.5, CE.1
Learn about the Madisons and their world by portraying their family and friends.
1 hour

Land of Conflict and Reunification:

In Service to Madison
Grades 3-6. SOLs: VS.1, VS.4, USI.1, USI.5, CE.1
Discover the stories of Montpelier’s enslaved community – from fugitives to freedmen.
1 hour

Lives of Labor
Grades 7-12. SOLs: CE.1, VUS.1-3, VUS.6c
Students work in groups and examine artifacts to learn about the slaves who worked and lived at Montpelier.
1 hour

Gilmore Cabin
Grades 4-12. SOLs: VS.8, USI.10b, USII.3
Recreate the daily activities of an African-American family during the Reconstruction era, learn about the challenges faced by freedmen, and what rural life was like for a newly emancipated family. Very Hands-On!
2-4 hours

Place of National Beauty and Rural Character:

Trails to Trees
Grades K-12. SOLs: VS.3, USI.3
Explore Montpelier’s natural history in the 200-acre, old-growth Landmark Forest.
1-2 hours

Other Site Features of Interest to Students and Teachers

Montpelier mansion; Liberty Temple/Ice house; Madison family cemetery (James and Dolley); African-American cemetery; Old-growth Landmark Forest; duPont formal garden; duPont horse racing track.

Pre-Visit Materials Available 

Biographiess, fact sheets, and recommended reading before visiting.

Program fees and miscellaneous  

Maximum Number of Students: 125   Minimum:  15

Admission/Program Fee: $5/student

Handicap Accessibility: Yes

Bus/Vehicle Accessibility: Yes

Season of Operation: Year round

Hours of Operation: Open 9-5

Picnic facilities/Nearest restaurant options: Lots of picnicking possibilities – nearest restaurant in Orange.

Restroom accessibility: Restrooms available in Visitor Center

Chaperone Requirements ( No. chaperones/no. of students): 1:10

Is there anything else we should know about your site? In 2004, The Montpelier Foundation began the restoration of Montpelier, transforming it from the duPont’s 20th Century, 55-room mansion to the 1820’s, 22-room home that James and Dolley created. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the restoration of an early American Presidential home that students will never forget. Students can tour portions of the house under construction and learn about the process of historic restoration. Special exhibits in the Education Center will give students a taste of the Madison’s furniture and lifestyle.

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