James Madison's Montpelier We The People Spring 2017 Montpelier_WTP_Spring2017_FINAL-1-web | Page 3

TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Highlights
Bringing the story of enslavement from Madison’s time to the present
A broad stakeholder Descendants Community helps shape interpretation
Preview of The Mere Distinction of Colour
Archaeology and architectural history teams build the past in the
South Yard
David Rubenstein reflects on the value of presenting a complete story
of history in a democratic society
Celebrating Madison’s role as an early environmentalist
Center partners with the Commonwealth of Virginia on police
training curriculum
Claude Moore Hall offers exciting new opportunities for the Center
Cornell Foundation’s generosity supports Montpelier’s programs, staff,
and operations
Calendar
About the front cover: 12 members of the Montpelier Descendants Community helped extensively in the creation
of The Mere Distinction of Colour exhibition through helping the archaeology team, visiting the House and South
Yard, and sharing family histories, stories, and memorabilia. Read about the people who drove this work on page 8.
About the inside cover: Archaeology and architecture specialists worked closely together to reconstruct the
cabins that once stood in the South Yard; this is a view of the interior of one of the reconstructed cabins. Read
more about this crucial process on page 14.
Correction: In the Fall 2016 magazine, we overlooked attributing the
photos of Polly May Ellis (1855–1929) and her father Squire May
(1824–c. 1910), shown to the right, to the Clara Ellis Payne Collection.
Many thanks to Ms. Payne for sharing these photos with us.