Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-05

architecture is believed to have-been inspired
by the old temples
Madison had two Kitchens in the basement
at Mcntpelier-one for his mother and one
for himself Madisons apartments on the first
floor consisted Of spacious drawing room,
library, dining room, study and office; and his
mothers suite included drawing ROOM dining
room and two bed chambers.
Eight large, hgh-ceilinged rooms formed the
second story In the Presidents own chamber
was the four-post bed with crimson satin
canopy brought by James Monroe from the
Tuieries There were % rooms in all in the
mansion, besides the servants quarters, which
were in another building and large wine
cellar ran beneath the house.
Dolly Madison who was but Is at the time
OF her second marriage. devoted much time to
the actual care of the terraced garden, laid out
by Madison just before his retirement from
public life. This series of terraces. in the form
of horse shoes, was designed to represent, In
size and shape the hall of the House Of Repre-
sentatives.
The driveway to the mansion winds through
q beautiful and peaceful meadow, past a veneer
able weeping willow. The lawns surrounding
the house are framed with giant trees, many
of which were planted by Madison himself.
Each terrace is edged with lockwood hedges OF
many generations growth
very unique feature of Montpelier Is the
small, round ice house which sits to the lett
of the mansion. This artistic ice house, built
along the lines of Grecian temple, was the
idea of Dolly Madison. 1t was the first ice
house in this section, and tradition Gays that
President Madison facing the incredulity OF
his overseer wagered him ice for a mint julep
on the Fourth of July against a turkey at
Christmas. The upper portion Of this little
building, with its dome room and dainty col
umns, is still used as Summer house by the
William du Point family, Montpelier's present
owners.
When James and Dolly Madison occupied
Montpelier - like Jefferson at Monticello it
was seldom without guests A letter written by
Mrs Madison in 1920 is indicative Of the scale
Of entertainment: Yesterday we had ninety per-
sons to dine with us, at one table, fixed on the
lawn, under a large arbor The dinner was
profllse and handsome and the company very
orderly. Many Of your old acquaintance were
here-among them the two Barbours. We had
no ladies except Mother Madison, Mrs. Macon
and Nellie Willis. The day was cool and all
pleasant. Half a dozen only staid all night,
and are now about to depart. President Mon
-roe's letter this morning announces the French
Minister we expect him this evening" or per-
haps sooner, though he may not come until TO-
morrow; but I am less worried here with
hundred visitors than with twenty-five In
Washington
Although his mother and father were living
at Montpelier at the time, Madison was born
while the former was on visit with her par
ents at Port Conway, King George County, Va.
Montpelier was his home, however, from in
fancy to death, and when at the age of &c he
retired from active public service, it was here
that he spent his last 10 years in the enjoyment
of agricultural pursuits, books and friends.
Among Madisons closest friends was Thomas
jefferson, and Montpelier and Monticello were
not too far apart for their masters to exchange
visits.
Madison died June %, 1886, at the age of
"a, and was buried in the old graveyard at his
beloved Montpelier. Dolly Madison died in
1849 and buried beside her husband
JAMES MONROE was born April %, 1853,
- in what has been called the Athens Of
America" because it has been the home of SO
many distinguished Americans This partic-
ular section Of Virginia was the birthplace Of
three other Presidents besides Monroe. Wash
jngton was born at Wakefield between Bridges
Creek and Popes Creek, and here on the orig
1nal site a mansion-house Of the dimensions Of
the house, in which washington was born and
which was burned in 1880, has been constructed
by the Wakefield National Memorial Associa-