The South Yard Dwellings: The Taylor and Stewart Families
The Taylors and Stewarts were two married couples who were likely born at Montpelier and served the Madison family for decades.
Digging Deeper
Behind the Scenes at James Madison's Montpelier
South Yard Dwellings: Research
Learn more about the interviews conducted with the Works Progress Administration and the images found that helped to shape the South Yard Dwellings at Montpelier.
South Yard Dwellings: Household Items
Work tools vs. leisure tools- what’s the difference?
South Yard Dwellings: Food & Cooking
We know enslaved cooks prepared food for the Madisons. How did the enslaved community cook and what did they eat themselves?
The South Yard Dwellings: Furniture
How did we know what furniture to put into the enslaved dwellings at Montpelier?
Paste Gems
One of the most thrilling artifacts to uncover at a site is a paste gem and in the last two seasons at the Overseer’s we have found six. Paste gems are imitation jewels, or rhinestones, made by pouring melted glass into gem shaped molds to mimic real gemstones. They could be made in any size [...]
The Naming Project: Cussina
Cussina was one of the 14 children listed in the 1732 estate inventory of Ambrose Madison. Her name does not appear in any other surviving document.
The Naming Project: Anthony
Known as “Old Anthony” by the 1790s, Anthony may have been enslaved by Ambrose Madison in 1732 or earlier. Anthony and his wife Betty had at least one son, Billey Gardner.