James Madison's Montpelier We The People Spring 2014 | Page 8

WE THE PEOPLE 8 continued from page 7 Kat Imhoff with Ellie Pugh. BE A PART OF THE PRESIDENTIAL DETECTIVE STORY Learn more about our hunt for James Madison’s books and the challenge of putting back together a presidential library 160 years after it was dispersed. Visit Montpelier’s website to see our growing list of titles from Madison’s library. Maybe you can help. MEET ELLIE PUGH Myron Magnet A PRESIDENTIAL CELEBRATION Hundreds of visitors and supporters joined the Foundation for the grand opening of Madison’s library during Presidents’ Day Weekend. Events included a preview event for Montpelier supporters, specialty tours, and a book signing and lecture with prizewinning author Myron Magnet, Ph.D., who discussed his newest publication, The Founders at Home. SPECIAL THANKS The restoration of Madison’s library has been made possible by the generous support of the Nancy Woodson Spire Foundation, and as well as several families and individuals who have provided significant assistance by locating, donating, or lending rare eighteenth- and nineteenth-century books to Montpelier, including: Lucy B. Robertson Alexander George Blow Nancy Campbell Michael Dickens Bryan Hagen John Douglas Hall FOLLOW US The Levine Family John Macon Dickie and Louise Tayloe Peter Belfield and Ann Thornton Lee Wouters Subscribe to We The People online. WWW.MONTPELIER.ORG Though some adults “don’t get” James Madison, the most cerebral of the founders, a little girl named Ellie Pugh does. During a recent trip to Montpelier with her family, Ellie learned the story of Madison’s work at Montpelier in preparation for the Constitutional Convention, which inspired her to read 400 books in six months, just like Mr. Madison. She inspired us, and we hope she inspires you, too. Thank you, Mr. Madison, and thank you, Ellie! Dear President Imhoff, Montpelier is my favorite place in the WORLD (so far). I don’t think I will ever know a place that I like better. Whenever I hear about the late 1700s to the mid 1800s I think of James Madison. I have a celestial globe just like James Madison. If I had seen that globe before learning about James Madison I would have thought, “Oh, that’s just an old globe.” But I knew about James Madison so I got it. I bet you’re thinking I’m just an old kid who has a celestial globe but I’m not. I read 400 books. Not only that, I did it in six months. Not only that, I did it because at Montpelier’s Constitution Day, I learned that James Madison read 400 books in six months to get ready to write the Constitution. We most recently came to Montpelier for my half birthday. I took the wagon ride and played in the garden. Maybe sometime I could show you my booklist and story about reading 400 books. Sincerely, Eleanor H. S. Pugh (call me Ellie) 8 years old, going into 3rd grade James Madison’s Montpelier @JMMontpelier