WE THE PEOPLE
1810s
MADISON FOCUSES ON UPGRADING THE SOUTH YARD
He adds two double slave quarters and two smokehouses and modifies the planter cottage to be a kitchen and a spinning house to be a slave dwelling .
1809
1797
THE MAIN HOUSE IS MODIFIED AGAIN FOR THE PRESIDENCY
Madison ’ s second redesign of Montpelier commences as he begins his Presidency . He adds a one-story wing to each side of the House , two cellar kitchens , and a back colonnade . He also establishes a grand central entrance and drawing room and constructs the neoclassical temple with an ice house below .
THE MAIN HOUSE IS ENLARGED
James Madison , Jr ., has retired from the House of Representatives . He and Dolley move their household from Philadelphia to Montpelier . The four-room addition takes three years to complete .
1765
THE MAIN HOUSE IS COMPLETED
The new brick house is located one-fourth mile northeast of Mount Pleasant , home of James Madison , Sr .’ s parents , and about 25 yards from the planter cottage .
CA . 1750 – 1760
PLANTER COTTAGE ( LATER THE SOUTH YARD KITCHEN ) IS CONSTRUCTED
James Madison , Sr ., and Nelly marry in 1749 . They construct the planter cottage as their first marital home sometime in the next decade , setting themselves up for reorganizing the plantation .
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