James Madison's Montpelier We The People Spring 2017 Montpelier_WTP_Spring2017_FINAL-1-web | Page 9

SPRING 2017
It’s American history.
Engaging the Montpelier Descendants
Community for a more complete story
DEFINING COMMUNITY
How Montpelier defines “descendant” is integral to
the growth and inclusivity of the collective. What
started with those who traced their genetic lineage
to people enslaved by the Madisons at Montpelier
has grown into a broader stakeholder community.
By understanding that African American families
didn’t ascribe to the same land-based boundaries
as their white owners, Montpelier encouraged
those with documented ancestral ties, and others
who feel a strong connection to, and ownership
of, Montpelier’s history to join and continue to
explore their lineage. “When the Madisons were at
Montpelier, their enslaved workers had connections
across Orange County and beyond,” says Elizabeth
Chew, Montpelie r’s Vice President for Museum
Programs. “Many Montpelier slaves had husbands, or
wives and children, on other plantations. By adopting
a broad definition of who identifies as a member of
our Descendants Community, we honor the web of
connections radiating from Montpelier.”
Over the years, this inclusivity, coupled with diligent
work from Montpelier’s research department in
coordination with Zann Nelson, the director of the
Montpelier African American Descendant Project, has
grown the community of those tracing (or attempting
to trace) their ancestral roots back to Montpelier. A
new generation of family historians, buoyed by the
increasing interest in, and availability of, genealogical
records and technology, have come from all over the
country to share in their connection to the plantation
and its history, and meet others whose ancestors
occupied the same land hundreds of years ago. People
from all over the country, from Massachusetts to
Maryland to Texas to Indiana have become part of
the Montpelier Descendants Community.
Left: The Gilmore Cabin before its restoration & Rebecca Gilmore Coleman on
the porch of the restored cabin.
Right: It takes a village. From top, Brent Leggs, Iris Ford & Madelyn Anglin, and
Margaret Jordan are just a few of the advisors who helped guide The Mere
Distinction of Colour exhibition.
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