Near Orange, Virginia.
We visited Montpelier last week. It's been years since we were there, and sections of the house that were added by the Dupont family in the 20th century have been torn down since then. Also painted stucco that covered the original red bricks has been removed.The house is still large (23 rooms!) and the grounds are still lovely. This was home to James Madison, our 4th president, and his wife Dolley.
The house tour emphasizes James Madison's role in shaping the U.S. Constitution, but also reveals his struggle with the institution of slavery. He used many enslaved people on his plantation but was active in a plan to send slaves who wanted to leave to the colony of Liberia where they would be free. (Few wanted to take the uncertain journey though.) His wish to avoid separating slave families fell apart after his death because his stepson ran up huge debts that forced his widow Dolley to sell off people. An exhibit in the basement interprets this painful story.
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| Rear View of Montpelier. |
A beautiful house and a sad story.
ReplyDeleteLovely post
ReplyDelete...gorgeous architecture. You are so lucky to have this and others near you. Thanks Linda for sharing, enjoy your week.
ReplyDeleteMy daughter and I visited this gorgeous place and again went to Monticello a few years ago. We stayed at a lovely bed and breakfast and ate at a delicious pub in Waynesboro. We were going to visit the Walton house on our last day but it was rainy and cold. I hope to go back. I especially love the sculpture of the reading. My ancestors are buried in a cemetery in the area with a church. We visited in the 1970's and loved the area. Thanks for the pictures.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. I'd like to see that place someday.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shot.
ReplyDeleteThe architecture is so lovely.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Major home!
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely home. I've never been there.
ReplyDeleteNossa uma história e tanto....linda casa e 23 quartos ....nossa!!!
ReplyDeletebj
Lovely house and interesting bit of history.
ReplyDeleteHistory is (hopefully) a lesson to us all.
ReplyDelete