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James Madison

The folks who run James Madison’s homeplace — Montpelier, up in Orange County — are certainly enterprising in their attempts to call attention to the place now being open to the public.

Here’s the latest: There’s been a lot of talk this week about the Republicans opening the new House session by reading the constitution (a project organized by Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, by the way. You can find details here.)

Well, keep in mind that ol’ Jimmy is known as The Father of the Constitution. So after the deed is done, the foundation that runs Montpelier, plans to have a guy dressed up as Madison present a copy of “the official Montpelier Constitution” to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor — and send a copy to each member of Congress.

Cantor, by the way, represents Orange County. Not sure what an “official Montpelier Constitution” is, but presumably it has a logo or picture or something on it. I’m betting you can even buy one in the gift shop!

Here’s the release:

“James Madison,” Father of the Constitution, will present House Majority Leader-Elect Eric Cantor with a copy of the Constitution of the United States of America after the entire Constitution is read aloud on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives on January 6, 2011. The Constitution that Majority Leader-Elect Cantor will receive is an official copy from Montpelier, where James Madison researched the principles that laid the foundation for the U.S. Constitution. James Madison’s Montpelier will also give an official Montpelier Constitution copy to each member of the 112th Congress.

WHAT: Constitution Presentation to House Majority Leader-Elect Eric Cantor

WHO: House Majority Leader-Elect Eric Cantor
“James Madison”
Dr. Sean O’Brien, Executive Director, The Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s
Montpelier

WHEN: January 6, 2011, 10:40 a.m. (EST)

WHERE: The Office of House Majority Leader-Elect Eric Cantor
U.S. Capitol

James Madison’s Montpelier
Montpelier is the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and president of the United States. Now that the home’s recent $25 million architectural restoration is complete, visitors can see the progress of “Rediscovering James and Dolley Madison… through the Presidential Detective Story” with daily guided tours. They can also leisurely stroll the garden and forests, and take in the galleries and many other attractions on the estate’s 2,650 acres. Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier is located in the heart of Virginia’s wine country on Route 20, four miles south of Orange, Va. Montpelier is a National Trust Historic Site, administered by The Montpelier Foundation. To learn more, visit www.montpelier.org.

The Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier
The Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier is a nonpartisan, non-profit
organization dedicated to the study and teaching of founding principles and constitutional ideals
to promote an understanding of the rights and responsibilities our democracy protects and
requires. The Center for the Constitution is located on the grounds of James and Dolley
Madison’s newly restored home in Orange, Va. To learn more, visit http://center.montpelier.org/.