The Montpelier Foundation

Montpelier's specialty Constitution Tour Oct. 3rd This one-hour tour of Montpelier’s historic house takes a deeper dive into James Madison’s role as Father of the Constitution and Architect of the Bill of Rights. More than any other single individual, Madison did the work to create, secure, and perpetuate America’s “more perfect union.” Join us in the place where those ideas took shape and explore how the Constitution continues to shape America and the world today. Register at https://lnkd.in/enQwwktq

The Montpelier Foundation President & CEO Kelley Fanto Deetz speaks on the Naturalization Ceremony at Montpelier that welcomed 27 new American Citizens from 19 different Countries!

Yesterday, Montpelier welcomed 27 new American Citizens from 19 different countries at our Naturalization Ceremony. These citizens made a vow to uphold the American Constitution at the very place where James Madison researched, drafted, and conceptualized the ideas that founded our country. This was the first of many ceremonies and opportunities to fulfill our vision: "To be a national model for historical accuracy in public history, a leader in constitutional education, and a welcoming, accessible cultural destination that inspires civic participation and deepens understanding of the American past and its relevance today."

Due to weather, today's Naturalization Ceremony has been moved to the Grand Salon. The ceremony will still begin at 11am.

Second and third grade students at Lowell International Elementary School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin celebrated Constitution Day the week of September 14! They learned the Preamble to the Constitution with "School House Rock", circa 1975. They created Betsy Ross style flags, complete with the words to the Constitution. James Madison was the featured Founding Father, and they read his biography, "The Quiet Guy Who Wrote the Rules" by Brian Thomas. Everything is on display is in the hallway, where students will present it to parents and staff at Open House in October.

Last Thursday, Montpelier partnered with Orange County Public schools to create a Living Flag in front of the presidential estate. A big thank you to everyone that helped make the Living Flag a big success! While the weather was hot and we had to adapt on the fly, all the students, teachers, and staff had a great time. We had about 1,100 4th, 5th, and 6th graders representing Orange County Public Schools. We hope to bring this event back in 2037 for the Constitution250! 🇺🇲

Join us for Cocktails and Conversation this Saturday Sept. 26! Constructed between 1809 and 1812, this neo-classical open-aired garden folly with its striking red dome supported by white pillars has long stood as one of the most iconic symbols of Montpelier. This talk will discuss how concepts of enlightenment, education, democracy, constitutional government, and most importantly liberty are poetically woven into the fabric of the Temple at Montpelier. Register at https://lnkd.in/eMbsya_Q

Montpelier extends a HUGE thank you to our guests and community partners that came out last Saturday for our Constitution Day Celebration!! 654 guests stepped into the very place where America’s founding principles were shaped to celebrate and remember the contributions of one of America's most influential minds, James Madison. Your support allows us to keep the Constitution at the heart of historic preservation here at Montpelier as we explore it in the context of both yesterday and today.

On today’s International Day of Peace, we reflect on these words from James Madison: “With the faculties for war, it is to be hoped, our Country will continue friendly to peace, and exert the influence belonging to it, in promoting a system favorable to nations cherishing peace & justice, rather than to those devoted to ambition & conquest.”

The Montpelier Foundation is pleased to announce Dr. Matthew Goetz as the 2027 James Madison Fellow. A historian of the early American republic and the presidency, Dr. Goetz brings insight into Madison’s political thought and his role in shaping the institutions of the new republic. His research will open new avenues for exploring Madison and the constitutional world he helped shape. Launched in 2026, the annual James Madison Fellowship supports scholars pursuing new questions about James Madison’s life, ideas, and enduring influence. The one-year, hybrid-residential fellowship, running from January through December, creates an opportunity for scholars to explore and expand our understanding of Madison’s legacy. During the fellowship, Dr. Goetz will have opportunities to engage with Montpelier’s collections, historic landscape, scholars, and public audiences. He will present his research at the annual Madison Lecture, held each March at Montpelier.