Thomas Jefferson. That immortal name rings through the columned pathways at the University every day, echoing into the gardens, the classrooms and the dorms until it seems as if it were synonymous with perfection. Monticello is also one of the most visited tourist attractions in Charlottesville, drawing travelers from across the country to view Mr. Jefferson's famous house upon a hill.
And with all the hubbub surrounding the founder of the University of Virginia, another former president and his nearby estate often is overlooked.
James Madison served as secretary of state under Jefferson for eight years, and tour guides at Madison's mansion, Montpelier, aggressively charge that the two former presidents were extremely close.
"Mr. Jefferson, who was eight years Madison's senior, was his greatest friend," said Penn Bowers, a tour guide or Montpelier "interpreter." "Jefferson thought Mr. Madison was the greatest man in the world, and we [at Montpelier] defer to his judgment."
In fact, Jefferson even asked his friend to be the first rector of the University, an honor which Mr. Madison declined in deference to Jefferson. However, James Madison did serve as the University's second rector.
So with all of Madison's ties to the University, "why wouldn't everyone want to come to Montpelier?" asked Bowers. "James Madison was our fourth president, the father of our Constitution and responsible for the Bill of Rights. He wrote the Federalist Papers, along with Jay and Hamilton, to sell the Constitution to the states. And he was president for eight years and was Mr. Jefferson's greatest friend."
Student education coordinator Christian Cotz and the Montpelier tour guides continued to be very defensive in their praise of Madison.
Tour guide Rich Kall said that "Jefferson is hailed as founding the University of Virginia, but he asked his best friend Mr. Madison to do all the grunt work, like the curriculum, fund-raising and firing."
Bowers, whose son recently graduated from the University, sighed in frustration as he recalled sitting through commencement ceremonies peppered with quotes and references to good ol' TJ. "But Jefferson asked Mr. Madison to be in charge of starting the library," he said. "And if it wasn't for Madison, U.Va. would have been somewhere else. He was instrumental in getting the University to be in Charlottesville."
But a closer look at the items inside Montpelier reveals that Madison was not necessarily the epitome of sainthood. A book noting his support of the American Colonization Society's efforts in Liberia and several apologetic references to slaves are found throughout the mansion.
Other artifacts within Montpelier include Dolley Madison's engagement ring, a rose and yellow gold band studded with diamonds. And one mustn't forget her snuffbox; according to its description, Dolley used the engraved silver box for sniffing or "dipping" at her Wednesday receptions at the president's house.
Cotz said that exhibits such as these throughout the mansion can give students a fuller perspective of late 18th- and early 19th-century life.
Montpelier "certainly helps give a better basis for understanding what that time period was like," he said.
Guides point out that most of our modern day amenities were not available to the Founding Fathers, and Madison instead would stay up late into the night to read by candlelight. But don't be sympathetic, Bowers said. Had there been electricity, Madison and his contemporaries "would've been watching TV all the time instead of founding the country."
But the Montpelier staff insists that there is more to Madison's estate than relics and social and political history.
"Aside from education, Montpelier is a great place to hang out and relax," Cotz said. "There are woods, fields, creeks - you name it, you can kind of find it here. Whether you want to sit in the mansion or in the formal garden or go walk around in the woods, you have the opportunity to do it."
The landscapes indeed are beautiful and very conducive to picnicking, with panoramic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and a well-manicured "formal garden" with beautiful flowers and hedges.
"It is a beautiful place but the historical significance has been complicated by the fact that it has changed hands so many times," said College alum Katherine Monahan ('00). "And in Jefferson country it seems like Montpelier hasn't gotten as much funding as other historical sites."
The famed DuPont family bought the mansion at the turn of the century and greatly altered and expanded the house to the point that were Madison alive today, he might not recognize his former home.
But Cotz insists that "the essential core of the house is Madison and they go to great lengths here to point out the original architectural features."
Perhaps the most Madison-esque feature of Montpelier is the dining room, which recreates a dinner scene including cardboard cutouts of Dolley and James Madison entertaining French general and ally the Marquis de Lafayette.
And walking up to the large house, the Montpelier tourist will instantly notice something unique: the exterior walls are pink. However, the rosy hue is not the color James and his relatives chose, but rather a DuPont "salmon-color" paint.
Despite the changes the mansion has undergone, Cotz thinks that a visit to Montpelier is still enlightening. The large manor house is about a 45-minute drive from University Grounds, four miles outside of Orange County.
"And maybe those people who aren't from this area would be able to learn a little bit about the area that they're now residing in - the Piedmont," Cotz said.
And for those that walk in the halls of the mansion day after day, leading countless families and "not enough" University students down the corridors, Montpelier and its former residents do not get enough credit, Kall said. But there's still hope that our fourth president and his mansion may one day be more fully appreciated by University students.
Kall smiled enthusiastically: "Pass the word on how great Mr. Madison was!"
Read More
University gym culture uplifts student fitness
By Mia Tan | 9 hours agoFor these students, the most Herculean gym pursuits are less about achieving the build of a Greek god and more about building long-lasting, healthy relationships with the gym.
The triumphant return of Littlejohn’s
By Blaine Hutchens and Kate Johnson | 2 days agoThe revived Littlejohn’s presents a tasty and conveniently located, albeit pricey, food option for those looking for a taste of old and new.
Top 10 things to know before attending the Foxfield Races
By Malone Morchower | 2 days agoEvery year, students arrive in droves to watch the horses, bask in the sun and hang out with friends before finals and summer vacation.
