September 17th marks Constitution Day, Sept. 17, 1787 when James Madison, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and Ben Franklin ratified the U.S. Constitution. And now it will mark the opening of James Madison’s Montpelier after a $24 million, five-year restoration. This is a major renovation project of James Madison’s lifelong home located in Orange County, “returning the stately home to the way it appeared during the fourth U.S. president’s retirement years.” Montpelier draws 75,000 people into Orange County annually. The celebration

will be held from 9 am until 5:30 pm and is free and open to the public. (Regular admission is $14.) The program includes tours of Montpelier, a presentation from special guests (Jim Lehrer, Governor Tim Kaine and Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts) as well as 2,600 school children creating a living flag. Just a few Montpelier Facts: 377,600 Hours

of Craftsman and Artisans Labor 56,000 Handmolded Bricks used to replace damaged ones 30,000 Old Growth Cypress Shingles were hand scalloped 90 Tons of dry mix plaster, combined with 56 pounds of Horse-hair were applied to the interior walls 2,300 pages in the feasibility study used to determine that the house could be authentically restored