James Madison's Montpelier We The People Spring 2014 | Page 8
WE THE PEOPLE
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continued from page 7
Kat Imhoff with Ellie Pugh.
BE A PART OF THE
PRESIDENTIAL
DETECTIVE STORY
Learn more about our hunt for James Madison’s
books and the challenge of putting back together a
presidential library 160 years after it was dispersed.
Visit Montpelier’s website to see our growing list of
titles from Madison’s library. Maybe you can help.
MEET ELLIE PUGH
Myron Magnet
A PRESIDENTIAL
CELEBRATION
Hundreds of visitors and supporters joined the
Foundation for the grand opening of Madison’s library
during Presidents’ Day Weekend. Events included a
preview event for Montpelier supporters, specialty
tours, and a book signing and lecture with prizewinning
author Myron Magnet, Ph.D., who discussed his newest
publication, The Founders at Home.
SPECIAL THANKS
The restoration of Madison’s library has been made
possible by the generous support of the Nancy Woodson
Spire Foundation, and as well as several families and
individuals who have provided significant assistance
by locating, donating, or lending rare eighteenth- and
nineteenth-century books to Montpelier, including:
Lucy B. Robertson Alexander
George Blow
Nancy Campbell
Michael Dickens
Bryan Hagen
John Douglas Hall
FOLLOW US
The Levine Family
John Macon
Dickie and Louise Tayloe
Peter Belfield and Ann
Thornton
Lee Wouters
Subscribe to We The People online.
WWW.MONTPELIER.ORG
Though some adults “don’t get” James Madison, the
most cerebral of the founders, a little girl named Ellie
Pugh does. During a recent trip to Montpelier with
her family, Ellie learned the story of Madison’s work
at Montpelier in preparation for the Constitutional
Convention, which inspired her to read 400 books in six
months, just like Mr. Madison.
She inspired us, and we hope she inspires you, too.
Thank you, Mr. Madison, and thank you, Ellie!
Dear President Imhoff,
Montpelier is my favorite place in the WORLD (so far).
I don’t think I will ever know a place that I like better.
Whenever I hear about the late 1700s to the mid 1800s I
think of James Madison. I have a celestial globe just like
James Madison. If I had seen that globe before learning
about James Madison I would have thought, “Oh, that’s just
an old globe.” But I knew about James Madison so I got it.
I bet you’re thinking I’m just an old kid who has a
celestial globe but I’m not. I read 400 books. Not only
that, I did it in six months. Not only that, I did it because
at Montpelier’s Constitution Day, I learned that James
Madison read 400 books in six months to get ready to write
the Constitution.
We most recently came to Montpelier for my half birthday.
I took the wagon ride and played in the garden. Maybe
sometime I could show you my booklist and story about
reading 400 books.
Sincerely,
Eleanor H. S. Pugh
(call me Ellie)
8 years old, going into 3rd grade
James Madison’s
Montpelier
@JMMontpelier