Montpelier's Digital Doorway

Montpelier's Digital Doorway

Montpelier's Digital Doorway

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  • About
    • Archaeology & Landscape Restoration
    • Architecture & Historic Preservation
    • Curatorial & Collections
    • Education & Visitor Engagement
    • Research
  • Digging Deeper Blog
  • Projects
  • Stakeholders
  • Visit!

Digging Deeper

Behind the Scenes at James Madison's Montpelier

The Naming Project: Lemon

The Naming Project: Lemon

February 25, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Lemon’s name appears only once in the documentary record. Tax records show that he was an enslaved laborer on James Madison Sr.’s land in Culpeper County in 1783.

The Naming Project: Harry

The Naming Project: Harry

February 24, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Sometimes referred to as “Tradesman Harry,” Harry was also a carriage driver. In 1789 Harry made the return trip to Montpelier alone, by a route of his own choosing.

Montpelier–one property, many plantations

Montpelier–one property, many plantations

February 23, 2021By Matthew ReevesArchaeology & Landscape Restoration No Comments

Today, Montpelier’s property boundaries encompass at least five plantations from the Madison era. This blog explores how we discovered this aspect of present-day Montpelier, why this occurred, and a little background on each of these plantations.

The Naming Project: Eliza

The Naming Project: Eliza

February 11, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Eliza, born February 17, 1750, was 33 when James Madison Sr. gave her to his daughter and son-in-law, along with Eliza’s children: Joanna, Diana, Demas, Pendar, and Webster.

The Naming Project: Ariel

The Naming Project: Ariel

February 10, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Ariel’s name appears in an 1847 letter from Dolley Madison, indicating that Ariel had carried a message to Dolley. It is unclear whether Dolley or someone else enslaved Ariel.

The Naming Project: Moses

The Naming Project: Moses

February 10, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Moses, a blacksmith enslaved by Madison’s father, was known for the quality of his work. Madison specifically instructed an overseer “To get a plow made by Moses” in 1790.

“Every Fever Gives Alarm”: The 1820-21 Typhus Epidemic at Montpelier

“Every Fever Gives Alarm”: The 1820-21 Typhus Epidemic at Montpelier

February 4, 2021By Hilarie M. HicksResearch No Comments

Two hundred years ago, an outbreak of disease at Montpelier bore striking similarities to – and differences from – the current pandemic.

The South Yard: Archaeology

The South Yard: Archaeology

February 4, 2021By Leanna SchaferArchaeology & Landscape Restoration, Curatorial & Collections No Comments

What did the Archaeology Team find in the South Yard?

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