Today I visited Montpelier, the estate and lifelong home of President James Madison. It is located along Virginia route 20, about 4 miles west of a town named Orange. As you arrive at the visitor center, you are greeted by statues of President James and First Lady Dolley Madison. I don't know offhand what book he's reading.
A trail takes you from the visitor parking lot to the Madison family cemetery. I believe that James and Dolley are buried near the tallest obelisk, just in front of the brick wall.
The trail continues to the slave cemetery, which was blocked off by some ropes. Thus, I could not find out whose graves were marked by these posts, seen from just outside the cemetery.
Another part of the slave cemetery, also roped off, was under an archaeological survey.
Montpelier also includes the Annie DuPont Formal Garden. This topiary is located near the garden's southwest entrance. Her family were Montpelier's most recent private owners.
Further inside the garden is this sundial, with a gateway in the background.
The trail eventually leads to the back side of the estate's main house, which faces southeast.
Southwest of the main house are these reconstructed slave houses.
This log house is a partial reconstruction of a slave house. Some of the above reconstructed slave houses are on the left.
I was able to get a pic of the front of the main house, which faces northwest.
Lastly, this circular domed structure was a neoclassical temple, which was built by slaves under the direction of James and Dolley Madison.
From more about Montpelier, go to National Trust for Historic Preservation, The Digital Montpelier Project, Digital Yarbs, Colonial Williamsburg and Encyclopedia Virginia.
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