#OTD in 1836, James Madison died at age 85. Paul Jennings, his enslaved valet, later wrote: “For six months before his death, he was unable to walk, and spent most of his time reclined on a couch; but his mind was bright, and with his numerous visitors he talked with as much animation and strength of voice as I ever heard him in his best days. I was present when he died. That morning Sukey brought him his breakfast, as usual. He could not swallow. His niece, Mrs. Willis, said, ‘What is the matter, Uncle Jeames?’ ‘Nothing more than a change of mind, my dear.’ His head instantly dropped, and he ceased breathing as quietly as the snuff of a candle goes out.” Photo courtesy of Montpelier.
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"Montpelier Names Eola Lewis Dance as President & CEO" “We are thrilled beyond belief to welcome Eola Dance as our new President and CEO,” said Hasan Kwame Jeffries, chair of the board of directors of TMF. “Montpelier is a national treasure, and Eola has the experience, expertise, enthusiasm, and vision to lead Montpelier to new and exciting heights.” Show your support of Montpelier by becoming a Member or make a donation today, https://lnkd.in/eEAST48y
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#OTD in 1844, Sarah Stewart wrote to Dolley Madison that she and other members of the enslaved community were in danger of being sold to pay Dolley’s debts: “We are afraid we shall be bought by what are called negro buyers and sent away from our husbands and wives ... think my dear misstress what our sorrow must be.” Learn more in the video “Fate in the Balance,” from Montpelier’s exhibition, The Mere Distinction of Colour.
Fate in the Balance
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As Independence Day approached in 1826 James Madison wrote, “Ever honored will be the day which gave birth to a nation, and to a system of self government making it a new Epoch in the History of Man.” Self-government was a radical idea in 1776. It was radical when Madison spearheaded the Constitution in 1787. American self-government has been a work in progress ever since, and it’s still an ideal worth celebrating! Larry Bouterie photo, courtesy of Montpelier.
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The Constitutional Convention deadlocked on July 2, 1787. Should every state have an equal number of senators, or – as James Madison preferred – should the number be based on each state’s population? Five states voted for equal representation, five against, 2 were absent, and Georgia’s representatives were split. The delegates sent the issue to a committee before adjourning for the Independence Day celebrations. Elbridge Gerry (who would later be Madison’s vice president) expressed just how serious things were: “Something must be done, or we shall disappoint not only America, but the whole world.” [SPOILER ALERT: They figured it out.] Independence Hall, Philadelphia, ca, 1900 postcard, Library of Congress
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Is it hot enough for you today? #OTD in 1792, it was pretty darn hot at Montpelier, as Madison wrote to his friend Jefferson: “At two OClock the Thermometer in its ordinary position was at 99°. At four it had got up to 103°. On being taken into the passage the coolest part of the House it stood at the former hour at 97°, & at the latter at 98°.” Yikes! Tell us how you’re beating the heat in the comments below! Pocket thermometer, courtesy of Montpelier Foundation
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It’s not easy to form a government. Even though the Constitution laid out the broad form of the new American government, the First Congress still had to work out many of the details. #OTD in 1789, James Madison confided to Thomas Jefferson about the slow progress of the First Congress – faced with new and complex issues requiring legislation, having no precedents to rely on, and mired in lengthy discussions. Madison wrote: “We are in a wilderness without a single footstep to guide us. Our successors will have an easier task, and by degrees the way will become smooth short and certain.” 1783 miniature by Charles Willson Peale, courtesy of Library of Congress.
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#OTD in 1787 Anthony, an 18-year-old enslaved domestic servant, made his second attempt to escape slavery. He had escaped from Montpelier a year earlier and traveled widely (or did he?), and may have used aliases and forged papers to conceal his identity. Read Anthony’s story at #MontpelierNamingProject: https://buff.ly/3hJBxNc
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Pollinators on Parade Rescheduled! July 13th Come explore different habitats and look for pollinators. We will look for the bees, butterflies, and birds responsible for pollinating Montpelier’s plants; and learn about how plants attract different pollinators, insect and bird adaptations to spread pollen, and the importance of plants and pollinators. This program is geared toward younger visitors and all ages are welcome! Tickets at https://buff.ly/4eGabEk
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In late June 1837, Anthony Morris offered some life lessons to Dolley Madison’s niece Anna, urging her to imitate a quality he particularly admired in Dolley herself: “the peculiar power she always possessed, of making & preserving friends, and, of disarming Enemies ... I wish you to possess the magic power of your Aunt of converting them into friends—this indeed is the moral of her life which I wish you to study, and much of it may be reduced to the short Christian lesson, of never speaking of the character or conduct of others, when you cannot with truth, speak favorably, unless on those occasions when Right & wrong are so obvious, that Silence would be more criminal than censure.” William Elwell, 1848 portrait of Dolley Madison, National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
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