Montpelier embraces its unique identity as a monument to James Madison, a museum of American history, and a center for constitutional education that engages the public with the enduring legacy of Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people. As the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution and Architect of the Bill of Rights, Montpelier’s mission is to communicate Madison’s role in creating the American democratic government.
The Montpelier property includes 2,650 acres of historic and archeological sites, scenic pastures, and protected woodlands; it is a complex site with a wide variety of programming. The bold and rigorous work recently undertaken at Montpelier to restore the Madison-era architecture has greatly improved the visitor experience and understanding of the house. The Montpelier Design Congress (MDC) is the first step towards taking an equally committed holistic approach to the Montpelier landscape - to consider the many important architectural, archaeological, and ecological elements of the property, and in the process, reveal the rich narratives hidden in the landscape. The three day-long event will bring together stakeholders, staff, designers, and expert consultants (including ecologists, archeologists, historians, archivists, master farmers, and authors). The MDC will engage the participants to articulate goals for the landscape and consider opportunities and constraints in achieving them. This series of events will provide an overview of Montpelier’s landscape elements, a prioritized list of goals and documentation, and design and communication assets to further develop and manifest the organization’s identity:
A Place of National Prominence
A National Historic Landmark in the Virginia Piedmont
A Leading Center for Constitutional Education
The process will rely on the knowledge and experience of the board, staff, and stakeholders of Montpelier, and the expertise of the MDC participants. The MDC will address the Montpelier landscape as it relates to the interwoven system of ecological conservation, cultural preservation, regenerative agriculture, programs, and communication. The MDC will guide Montpelier towards a greater engagement with a national and international audience while becoming an exceptional model of stewardship and resilience for historically significant sites in the United States.
