James Madison's Montpelier We the People Spring 2013 | Page 9

BEHIND-THE-SCENES TOURS

Experience all Montpelier has to offer.

Walking Tours

Behind-the-Scenes tours happen
year-round, and are your gateway to
a personal experience up-close with
the Madisons. Purchase tickets at
least 48-hours prior to your visit. For
advance reservations, call (540) 6722728, ext. 119.

Tickets for the following Quarterly
Walking Tours may be purchased at
the Montpelier Visitor Center on the
day of your visit.

The Big Woods Walk: Exploring
Montpelier’s Landmark Forest
Sundays, April 7, July 14 and
October 20 – 2:00 p.m.
Begins at Visitor Center
$5 with purchase of mansion tour,
$10 for Big Woods Walk alone
Hike through Montpelier’s Landmark
Forest — a rare hardwood old growth
forest consisting of towering poplars,
stately oaks, and sprawling beeches.
Learn about ecology, conservation,
and Madison’s role as an early
environmentalist. The trail is a
gentle 1-mile loop.

Civil War Trail & Gilmore Farm
Walking Tour

Let it Be Red: Behind-the-Scenes with the Curators
April – October, Advance Reservations Required
$60 per person ($42 + regular ticket price)
Travel back in time to 1816, as Dolley Madison asked a friend to purchase fabric
for the Montpelier drawing room, noting, “the colour I leave to you — let it be
red...” Join our team of curators and historians as we uncover new details in the
ongoing refurnishing of the mansion in this 90-minute behind-the-scenes tour,
with additional focus on early federal artwork, furniture, décor, artifacts, as well
as curatorial methods.

Meet the Madisons:
In-Depth Mansion Tour
April – October
Thursday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m.
Advance Reservations Required
$45 per person
Enjoy an extended mansion tour
before the rush of crowds. This special
90-minute experience will allow you
to focus on the in-depth details that
reveal the Madisons’ personalities,
relationships, and accomplishments.

Saturdays, February 16, April 20,
August 17 and November 16
2:30 to 4:00 p.m.
Begins at parking lot across Route 20
from the Montpelier Train Depot
FREE Admission
Leisurely hike Montpelier’s Civil
War trail to see the archaeological
remains of a Confederate winter
camp, and a reconstructed camp
street. The tour ends at George and
Polly Gilmore’s home for a rare look
at life after slavery.

Private Tours

Working Woods Walk

April – October
Advance Reservation Required

Sundays, April 14, July 21 and
October 27 – 2:00 p.m.
Begins at Visitor Center

$500 (8 people maximum),
Montpelier offers private tours to
individuals and small groups looking
for a more intimate in-depth tour
experience. Guided, 90–minute tour,
eight–person maximum. Call for
reservation 540-672-2728 ext. 119

$5 with purchase of mansion tour
$10 for Working Woods Walk alone
This two-hour hike of the Montpelier
Demonstration Forest will help
visitors understand society’s
dependence on forests now and
during the Madisons’ time, and how
to care for our forests today.

We The People

Montpelier events calendar

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