James Madison's Montpelier We The People Fall 2015 | Page 24

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage WE THE PEOPLE PAID Orange, Virginia Permit No. 3 P.O. Box 911, Orange, VA 22960 www.montpelier.org Calendar 2015 Celebrate the 81st running of the historic Hunt Races, a premier event in the American Steeplechase Circuit. Friends and family also can enjoy Jack Russell Terrier and stick horse races, as well as tailgate and hat contests. www.montpelierraces.org Have you ever wondered about James and Dolley Madison’s love life? On Valentine’s Day, Hugh Howard, author of Houses of the Founding Fathers and Mr. and Mrs. Madison’s War: America’s First Couple and the War of 1812, will discuss the couple’s private relationship and public partnership in the Grand Salon. Christmas Open House | December 5 Ceramics Workshop | February 21-26 Montpelier Hunt Races | November 7 Visits with Santa, holiday refreshments, and special activities will be offered throughout the day at the Visitor Center. The mansion will be decorated in accordance with 19th-century customs. Spend the weekend in Orange County enjoying Montpelier’s open house and many other holiday festivities! 2016 Mansion Restoration | January 4-17 Montpelier will be closed for mansion renovations, painting, and other repairs. Follow our progress on social media! 24 President’s Weekend | February 14 Work in the Archaeology Laboratory and help with cataloging, analyzing, and reconstructing of ceramics and other artifacts recovered from the previous field season. Learn about artifact types, iron conservation techniques, and how to reconstruct vessels for display in the Lab, the mansion, the galleries, and even in other museums. Housing is provided on campus at the antebellum plantation house, “Arlington House.” James Madison’s Birthday | March 16 Commemorate the 265th birthday of James Madison, fourth president of the United States, Father of the Constitution, and Architect of the Bill of Rights. The wreathlaying ceremony at the Madison Family Cemetery will feature the United States Marine Corps Band and Color Guard. We want to hear from you! Spring Wine Festival | May 7-8 Join friends and family for this premier spring event showcasing distinctive arts and crafts, specialty food vendors, live music, children’s entertainment, and tastings from great Virginia wineries and breweries. Dolley Madison Legacy Luncheon | May 17 Enjoy a mansion tour and an elegant luncheon on the back lawn of the mansion to commemorate the 248th anniversary of Dolley’s birthday. Featured speaker will be Cokie Roberts, a contributor on NPR’s Morning Edition and political commentator for ABC News. To date, these luncheons have raised nearly $600,000 to support the refurnishing of the mansion. Contact Karen Costello at 540.672.4370 or [email protected] for information and tickets. Dolley Madison’s Birthday | May 20 Celebrate the 248th birthday of America’s First “First Lady.” Free cupcakes at the Visitor Center, and free admission to the mansion for anyone who shares Dolley’s n