Calendar of Events 2008

To access the calendar of events, either scroll down the page or hover on the month in the image below to see a description of events. Clicking the date will take you to a more detailed description of that event.

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For more information on the events scheduled for the Center for the Constitution, please see their Schedule of Events.

Winter Events

January 13 (Sun.): Winter Big Woods Walk

Tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest. A 200-acre old-growth forest lies just beyond the back lawn of the Mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the "Big Woods" is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. Price of tour included with admission. Free to Members of Montpelier. For more information please call (540) 672-2728.

February 2-3 (Sat.-Sun.): Tour of the Enslaved Community Sites

Special tour of the enslaved community sites at Montpelier and the Gilmore Cabin: A Freedman's Farm. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. Gilmore Cabin is open from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x441.

February 10 (Sun.): Freedman's Farm Tour, and Confederate Winter Camp Site Walking Tour

Tour of the Gilmore Farm, home of George Gilmore, born a slave at Montpelier, followed by a walking tour of the 1863-64 Confederate Winter winter encampment site. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m., led by Montpelier Interpreter Jayne E. Blair, author of two books on the Civil War. Price included with admission. Free to Montpelier Members. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x441.

February 18 (Mon.): President's Day

Celebrate President’s Day with a tour of the home of the Father of Constitution and President James Madison.

Spring Events

March 16 (Sun.): James Madison's 257th Birthday Celebration

Attend a poignant commemorative ceremony with the United States Marine Corps laying a wreath on James Madison’s grave. Free admission all day. For more information please call (540) 672-2728.

March 31-April 11 (Mon.-Fri.): Earthwatch Archaeology Session

Watch archaeologists and volunteers uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information please contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160 or see the Earthwatch website.

Please note that for reasons beyond our control, this Earthwatch session has been delayed until the August 18th to September 19th dates.

April 6 (Sun.): Spring Big Woods Walk

Tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest. A 200-acre old-growth forest lies just beyond the back lawn of the Mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the "Big Woods" is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. Price of tour included with admission. Free to Members of Montpelier. For more information please call (540) 672-2728.

April 19 (Sat.): Garden Week at James Madison's Montpelier

Tour the elegant two-acre Annie duPont Formal Garden – with magnificent marble urns, lions and carvings – and the Bassett House and Oriental Garden, not normally open to the public.

May 3-4 (Sat.-Sun.): Montpelier Wine Festival

Sample award-winning Virginia wines and relax on Montpelier's splendid 2,650-acre grounds while enjoying speciality foods, children's activities, kite contests, vendors, crafters and more! Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Sunday: 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. For more information, ticket prices, including corporate packages, please call (540) 672-5216 as well as the website of the Orange County Chamber of Commerce.

May 11 (Sun.): Mothers Day

Celebrate Mother's Day with a tour of the home of Nelly "Mother" Madison and First Lady Dolley Madison.

May 12-June 12 (Mon.-Thu.): James Madison University Archaeology Field School

Watch archaeologists and students uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160.

May 18 (Sun.): Butterfly Release

Attend the annual butterfly release in memory of loved ones, sponsored in conjunction with the Hospice of the Rapidan, in the Annie duPont Formal Garden. Release at 3:00 p.m. For more information please call (540) 825-4840 or visit the www.hotr.org site.

May 20 (Tue.): Dolley Madison's Birthday

Enjoy the gracious hospitality of America's first First Lady on her birthday with free cake for all, and free admission for anyone born on this date.

May 25 (Sun.): Freedman's Farm Tour, and Confederate Winter Camp Site Walking Tour

Tour of the Gilmore Farm, home of George Gilmore, born a slave at Montpelier, followed by a walking tour of the 1863-64 Confederate Winter winter encampment site. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m., led by Montpelier Interpreter Jayne E. Blair, author of two books on the Civil War. Price included with admission. Free to Montpelier Members. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x441.

Summer Events

June 23-27 (Mon.-Fri.): Natural History Day Camp — "Mud Camp"

Join other rising 3rd–4th graders at Montpelier’s Mud Camp! Explore some of the 2,650 acres of creeks, fields, and woods. Be prepared to get dirty and have fun! 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuition: $90. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x401.

June 30-July 4 (Mon.-Fri.): Natural History Day Camp — "Mud Camp"

Join other rising 5th-6th graders at Montpelier’s Mud Camp! Explore some of the 2,650 acres of creeks, fields, and woods. Be prepared to get dirty and have fun! 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Tuition: $90. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x401.

July 1-25 (Tue.-Fri.): Montpelier Archaeology Field School

Watch archaeologists and students uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160, or see our 'blog, the Latest Dirt.

July 9, 16, 23, 30 & August 6 (Wed.): Summer Fun!

Hey kids! Spend your Wednesday mornings playing colonial games like Capture the Flag, Montpelier Mystery, Playing Possum, Worms, and Bees! Ages 4-6 and 7-12. Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. (noon). Tuition: $8.00/day. Advance registration required. For more information and to make reservations please call (540) 672-2728 x401.

July 13 (Sun.): Summer Big Woods Walk

Tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest. A 200-acre old-growth forest lies just beyond the back lawn of the Mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the "Big Woods" is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. Price of tour included with admission. Free to Members of Montpelier. For more information please call (540) 672-2728.

July 14-18 (Mon.-Fri.): Gilmore Camp

Join rising 7th-8th graders as they learn what life was like for a newly emancipated family at the Gilmore Farm. Daily activities will include farm chores, cooking, crafts, and music.  

July 24-27 (Thu.-Sun.): Orange County Fair

Join local farmers, craftsmen, cooks and gardeners for an annual celebration of rural life in the Virginia Piedmont. Sponsored by the Orange County Fair Board and the 4-H Club. Thursday: 3:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Friday: 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.; Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission at the gate. For more information please call (540) 661-5393 or visit the www.orangecountyvafair.com website.

August 1-3 (Fri.-Sun.): Montpelier Civil War Encampment

A reenactment representing camp life for the soldiers at the Montpelier Civil War encampment. Activities include camp displays, company and skirmish drills, and dress parades. Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; and Sunday 9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Camp tours will be conducted by Jayne Blair at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x442.

September 8-September 19 (Mon.-Fri.): Earthwatch Archaeology Session

Watch archaeologists and volunteers uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information please contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160 or see the Earthwatch website.

Fall Events

September 17 (Wed.): Grand Opening of the Mansion — Constitution Day

Celebrate the completion of the architectural restoration and the birthday of the U.S. Constitution with a free visit to Montpelier, the lifelong home of James Madison: Father of the Constitution, author of the Bill of Rights and President of the United States. A four-year restoration returns the mansion rooms to James' and Dolley's retirement era. Furnishings will be limited. For more information, please click here for the "Restoration Celebration" itinerary.

September 28-October 4 (Sun.-Sat.): Archaeology Work/Study Program

Watch archaeologists and students uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160.

October 4-5 (Sat.-Sun.): Fall Fiber Festival and Sheep Dog Trials

View fiber arts displays, demonstrations, and workshops organized by the Fall Fiber Festival of Virginia, Inc. as you take in the colorful Virginia Piedmont foliage. Saturday: 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; Sunday: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission $5.00; children under 16: free. Information: email fallfiber02@hotmail.com or visit www.fallfiberfestival.org/.

October 6-31 (Mon.-Fri.): Earthwatch Archaeology Session

Watch archaeologists and volunteers uncover slave quarters in the mansion yard. For more information please contact Dr. Matthew Reeves, Director of Archaeology, on (540) 672-2728 x160 or see the Earthwatch website.

October 19 (Sun.): Fall Big Woods Walk

Tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest. A 200-acre old-growth forest lies just beyond the back lawn of the Mansion. Designated by the U.S. Department of Interior as a National Natural Landmark, the "Big Woods" is recognized as the best example of an old-growth forest in the Piedmont. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m. and will be led by Montpelier Horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. Price of tour included with admission. Free to Members of Montpelier. For more information please call (540) 672-2728.

November 1 (Sat.): Montpelier Hunt Races

Experience the thrill of steeplechase horse racing at the 74th running of the Montpelier Hunt Races on the historic grounds of James Madison's Montpelier. Come early to see the Jack Russell Terrier races, stick horse races, dog agility demonstrations, and other entertainment. Gates open: 9:30 a.m. First Race: 12:30 p.m. For details on corporate packages, tailgating, and tickets, please call (540) 672-0027, or visit www.montpelierraces.org.

November 2 (Sun.): Freedman's Farm Tour, and Confederate Winter Camp Site Walking Tour

Tour of the Gilmore Farm, home of George Gilmore, born a slave at Montpelier, followed by a walking tour of the 1863-64 Confederate Winter winter encampment site. Tour begins at 2:00 p.m., led by Montpelier Interpreter Jayne E. Blair, author of two books on the Civil War. Price included with admission. Free to Montpelier Members. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x441.

November 11 (Tue.): Veterans Day at Montpelier

Montpelier salutes all veterans with free admission for those who are serving or have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. For more information please call (540) 672-2728 x104.