Montpelier is a historic site and Constitutional education center open to the public. Our mission is to become the most exciting, historically compelling, and culturally relevant museum in the country. Montpelier is leading the national conversation about the role that the U.S. Constitution plays in American life today.

Managed by The Montpelier Foundation (TMF), the 2,650-acre property was home to the Madison family, James and Dolley Madison, and over 300 enslaved men, women, and children.

In creating the structure for our government, Madison recognized that democracy depended on self-governance, informed civic participation, dialogue, and public good over personal interest. We believe these principles are a force for uniting the country.

 

In this new chapter, we are centering our work on the Constitution and Madison’s vision for our democracy.

The Four Pillars guide our Constitution-focused work: 

Each with a unique focus, the Pillars are interconnected and complementary. A common thread throughout is the commitment to public service and visitor engagement.

The Pillars represent our core values and commitments, distinguishing Montpelier from all other cultural institutions.  

The Center for the Constitution is leading the organizational effort to become a nonpartisan hub of civic learning and dialogue. The Center is expanding by building on current programs and bringing people together to discover a fuller American story rooted in the U.S. Constitution.

Montpelier is laying the groundwork to create a more meaningful visitor experience. We are opening parts of the rarely explored landscape and pioneering new interpretive techniques, including digital story-telling. 

Montpelier is the final resting place for over 300 people held in bondage. This project entails the creation of a commemorative space to honor the individuals enslaved at Montpelier. 

Referred to as the Arc, this 850-square mile area between Fredericksburg, the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Richmond connects plantation sites across eastern and central Virginia. A trail unlike any other, the Arc will combine outdoor recreation with public history and citizen science, allowing the public to hike, bike, and camp while learning about the past. 

Visit Montpelier to learn more about our exciting work!