Items portrayed in the sampler:

- Montpelier is the name of the Madison family plantation. “I wish you had just such a country home as this,” Dolley Madison once exclaimed to a friend. “Hospitality is the presiding genius of this house,” wrote Margaret Bayard Smith during a visit there in 1809, “and Mrs. Madison is kindness personified.” Surrounded by guests, Dolley Madison played her favorite role as hostess at Montpelier, while Madison farmed, read, prepared his papers, and carried out his political responsibilities. Through a gift from Marion duPont Scott, the National Trust became the steward of Madison’s ancestral Virginia home in 1984. It was opened to the public in 1987, and is expected to become a center for Madisonian studies.

- James Madison heavily influenced the Constitutional Convention, wrote The Federalist Papers, served as a US Congressman from Virginia (during his first term, he drafted the Bill of Rights and guided its ratification), served as Thomas Jefferson’s secretary of state, served two terms as our 4th president, explored ways to abolish slavery, assisted Thomas Jefferson in founding the University of Virginia, and served as the University’s second rector.

- Jasmine. Tradition has it that the pillars of Montpelier’s rear portico were entwined with white jasmine, one of Dolley’s favorite flowers.

- Montpelier Supply Company was built in 1911 and was an important part of the duPont estate. It sold groceries, linens, horse care products, and car and machinery parts to the farm and surrounding community. Today, it houses the National Trust Gift Shop.

- Garden Temple. This is one of two structures at Montpelier that remain from James Madison’s lifetime. It was part of the original grand English garden park plan. The temple covers a brick-lined ice well approximately 25 feet deep. Ice was a prized luxury in Madison’s day.

- Sears Barn. Montpelier has always been a working farm. In the 1930s, Marion duPont purchased prefabricated barns from a Sears & Roebuck catalog, and had them delivered by train to the Montpelier station. Four of the barns exist on the property today.

- Government Quotation. Madison wrote these words in explanation of the US Constitution.

- Grapes. Madison maintained grape arbors in the gardens of Montpelier.

- Strawberries. The gardens of Montpelier produced a bounty of fruit. The strawberry was a particular favorite.

- Tulip Trees. Beyond the lawn are two large tulip trees (yellow poplars) known as the “twins” because of their remarkable similarity. They have been incorporated into the gardens laid out by William duPont.

- Train Station. This well-maintained building is an appealing example of 20th century railroad architecture. William duPont built the train station in 1910 for his commute to Wilmington, Delaware, where he served on the board of the Delaware Trust Company. Today, the station is a US Post Office where one can buy stamps and post a letter with a special Montpelier cancellation.

- Rose Border. The terraced horseshoe-shaped garden was edged in boxwood and boasted a wide variety of flowers, particularly roses.

- Thistles. Many of James Madison’s original plantings, including tiger lilies and thistles, have now gone to wildflowers in the surrounding fields.