Since we could not go to Monticello, we thought we should see a presidential estate anyway. We have already seen Mount Vernon. 12 years ago, but Mark and I did see it together. We will take Lon when he is old enough to have some memory of it. Montpelier sounded like it would be great. It is undergoing massive renovation and even an archeological dig! HOW COOL IS THAT? I have always been fascinated with archeology. So off we went to President Madion's Home.
The DuPonts were the last owners of the home, they added on tremendously to the house, from 30 rooms to 55 rooms, and even lowered the driveway. All of that is being taken off and the driveway restored to it's original height. The Columns in front will the plastered, they will be white. Since the home of James and Dolly is being put back to the way it was when they lived here, you can see the original construction in parts of the house
e. The yellow walls are the color they would have been when Dolly was in charge. The yellow reflects the optimum amount of candle light, so it was a favorite. 
When they took the paint off the windows, with are original to the house. They found that the panel under the window was hollow. These are pocket windows! No one knew it, until this renovation. The hemp rope is the original rope. Since it has not seen the light of day for over 200 years, it is still in great shape.
Every room has a fire place, instead of adding duct work for the heating and cooling system they are going to use the fireplaces for that. The house will be filled with Madison antiques, they want the climate controlled inside. 
They view from James and Dolly's bedroom. The Blue Ridge Mountains are there, just hard to see in this picture. The archeology dig is searching for the original fence and driveway for the house. They have found some post holes, two in a row so far, they are hoping for more. 
They have a walled garden, kept by the Virginia Garden Club
The front garden gate. 
The gardens.
Coming up next: Part Two of Montpelier.
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