When the evidence is conflicting, who gets credit for rescuing George Washington’s portrait from the White House on August 24, 1814?
The Great Portrait Rescue: A Historical Whodunit
Author: Hilarie M. Hicks
Dolley Madison & Ice Cream: The Real Scoop
It’s a double-dip of Oyster Ice Cream and Rocky Research Road as we debunk a few Dolley dessert myths.
Montpelier: What’s in a Name?
Learn why the Madisons chose to name their home “Montpelier,” and see how multiple “Montpeliers” have caused confusion ever since.
“I Never Was a Mason:” James Madison and Freemasonry
Although some writers have claimed that James Madison was a Mason, his own writings indicate otherwise.
Three Presidents Who Visited Montpelier
If you guessed Jefferson, Monroe, and Jackson, you wouldn’t be wrong. But there are three others who might surprise you.
Lost and Found: James Madison’s Seal
When a Madison object turns up on “Antiques Roadshow,” it’s time to do some research.
Holiday Greetings from the Madisons
The Madisons’ letters give a festive insight into their celebration of the Christmas season.
Parroting Historical Research
Visitors’ accounts of Polly the parrot describe a bird who was both beautiful and bad-tempered.
A Missing Link Letter
The Montpelier Research Database has a place for missing letters … and sometimes the missing letters turn up.
Where Have All the Papers Gone?
Follow the paper trail as documents make their way to the archive, the auction house, or the incinerator.