Montpelier

Two weekends ago, Jenn and I went to Montpelier, the home of James Madison.  It underwent a complete renovation that was completed a few years ago to return it to its state when Madison lived and died there.  Madison’s father built the original house and the family moved in during his teen years.  I love the classic pillars and porch on the front of the building, even if the color scheme isn’t my favorite (maybe it's paying homage to Jenn's alma mater the Green Wave?).  Madison originally designed it as a duplex for his mother on one side and his family on the other.  A solid wall ran through the middle to separate the two.  After his mother’s death, he broke through the wall to make it one house.  There were many interesting stories.  After the British burned the White House in 1814, Madison brought his personal china from his house to be used there, then brought it home at the end of his presidency.  Before the constitutional convention, Madison sat in his library overlooking the front porch for months studying systems of government of the past and why they had failed as he began to design the US government of today.  Madison and his family are buried on the grounds.

Unfortunately, when Madison died he left a large amount of debt resulting in the house being sold by his wife.  No, it wasn't Madison who couldn't balance a checkbook.  His step-son (Dolley's son from a previous marriage) was an alcoholic and compulsive gambler.  He was the one who put the family in financial ruin.  In addition to the house being sold, all of his furniture was sold, too.  So now the group which owns the house is trying to find Madison’s furniture which is a difficult task.  As a result, much of the interior is unfurnished.  Still the house is a spectacular sight.