The Old Dominion State - Charlottesville area

Virginia - part three

(Sightseeing)

June 2, 2018 - June 5, 2018

Montpelier: President James Madison's home

James Madison is known as the father of our constitution and Architect of our Bill of Rights.  Dolly Madison was America's 1st "First Lady."

Bronze statue of James and Dolly Madison

Montpelier - the Madison home

The initial building that ended up as this mansion was built by James Madison's wealthy grandfather, Ambrose.  I may not have this exactly correct but the original home consisted of the door behind the right most pillar and the 4 windows to the right of the pillar.  Extensive additions to the home were added by Ambrose's son James Sr. and by his grandson James Jr. (President James Madison). 

Extensive exhibits on the life of enslaved people were provided in the basement areas on either side of the house 

Unfortunately photography is not allowed inside the home so I can't show you the rooms, furniture, etc.

Panorama of the grounds from the front porch of the home.

Picture of some of the slave quarters.

The property was originally a tobacco plantation, thus the Monroe family owned slaves working on the cotton farming aspect as well as in various other capacities (cooks, carpenters, blacksmiths, maids, etc.)  At the time James Madison Jr. owned the property it is believed about 100 slaves would have lived and worked there.  Neither James Jr. nor Dolly freed any of their slaves.

This shows the relation of the slave quarters to the main house.
The front of the mansion in the distance is to the left.

Highland: President James Monroe's Home

The original home is now gone.  It's foundation has been uncovered and is visible to visitors.  It lays directly to the left and partially under the beige home on the left of this picture.  Madison stated that he had built his home under a 100 year old oak tree.  The tree above the beige house is that same tree, now over 300 years old.  

This building was Monroe's guest house.
Monroe's property is adjacent to Monticello, the home of his good friend Thomas Jefferson.

The original guest house consisted of just the white portion towards the front.  The smaller white portion to the left was added later.  The beige house attached to the far left was added by subsequent owners.

Rear of the home.

Once again we were prohibited from taking pictures inside the home.

These buildings served as quarters for Monroe's slaves.

Side view of the 300 year old Oak Tree.

Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, is also in the same area but, having visited it some years ago, we decided to skip it this time.