Montpelier, near Orange, Virginia, was the Madison family estate and the home most closely associated with James Madison and Dolley Madison. Built around 1764 by James Madison Sr. and expanded after James and Dolley married and again during Madison’s presidency, it became both their family home and Madison’s retirement residence until his death there in 1836. The estate also depended on enslaved labor, with about 100 enslaved African Americans living and working there during Madison’s ownership; research has recovered many of their stories, including Paul Jennings. Later altered by the duPont family, Montpelier was preserved, restored, and reinterpreted, with recent work emphasizing slavery and descendant involvement in telling its history.

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Photo: Wikipedia · Public domain

Orange, Virginia · USA