Stories and photos by Roxie LaFever (unless otherwise indicated)
A Historical Message from James Madison
Seeking safe travels during these times of protest and COVID, day trips outside the Washington, DC area led me to the homesteads of our Founding Fathers in Virginia, reaffirming the integrity of those who started this great country. Let us explore their homes and how each man brought something unique and foundational to our “new world.”
Each trip is less than 3 hours outside of the nation’s capital into the State of Virginia and an easy commute. Plan on spending a few hours at each homestead, taking either a guided or walking tour of the homes, surrounding buildings, museums, and gift shops.
Our Founding Fathers never intended the citizens of this country or our politicians, for that matter, to be so divisive even though they extensively debated the contents of our US Constitution and governmental roles/responsibilities throughout their lives. The above photo, “We the People Unite,” is prominently displayed at James Madison’s homestead entrance in Virginia as a constant reminder for all. Do you recognize these words….? They summarize the opening paragraph of our US Constitution drafted by our Founding Fathers.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
– US Constitution adopted in 1787 as the supreme law of our land.
These men were not perfect. But the intentions behind their actions were clear and led by the rule of law they helped draft. Service to this country and its citizens was placed before themselves, and their leadership will always be honored.
It is now 2021 and our country and its democracy are at a crossroads as we transition to a new administration during a time of divisiveness and unrest. Twenty thousand national guard troops have arrived to ensure a peaceful inauguration…praying that is so!
Visiting George Washington’s Mount Vernon
George Washington was not “formally educated” in England like his brother, but fared well. His great-grandfather first crossed the ocean from England and settled in Virginia in 1656, and began acquiring land. George was one of six children born to his father, a justice of the peace, and grew up along the Potomac River on various family properties. When his father passed in 1743 (George was a teenager), he inherited a family farm, but his brother inherited “Little Hunting Creek,” which later was renamed Mount Vernon. It was not until after the death of his brother and widowed wife that he owned Mount Vernon.
George married his wife Martha Custis, a widower of a wealthy plantation owner, at 26. Through the merger of their lands, acquiring more, and inheritances from his brother, he became one of Virginia’s wealthiest men. He followed in his brother’s military footsteps and is still highly regarded for leading the Continental Army for 8.5 years during the Revolutionary War. During that time, he was only able to return to Mount Vernon for a total of 10 days.
George Washington became a statesman representing Virginia in the House of Burgess. He was later encouraged to represent the Virginia delegation at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, where Benjamin Franklin nominated him to preside over the Convention. Governor Randolph then introduced James Madison’s Virginia Plan, which called for an entirely new constitution and national government. The plan was not favored by all, and led to much debate, ongoing divisiveness and unrest among the colonies. However, many believed not passing it would eventually lead to anarchy. It had been only four years since the end of the American Revolution. Upon passing, George Washington and James Madison returned to Mount Vernon and spent four days outlining the colonies’ transition to a new government.
George Washington is Elected the First President
George Washington was elected the First President of the United States, having received the most electoral votes from each state, and John Adams became Vice President with the 2nd highest votes. George served his country from 1789 to 1797 (two terms) during tumultuous times. He was known for listening to all sides before making decisions and spent his years establishing a Cabinet from other leaders who also participated in the Constitution’s writing. Governor Randolph became Attorney General, Thomas Jefferson was Secretary of State, and Henry Knox was Secretary of War. Alexander Hamilton was Secretary of the Treasury.
The ongoing debates amongst the first Cabinet Secretaries like Jefferson and Hamilton led to establishing two primary parties – Hamilton’s Federalist Party and Jefferson’s Democratic Republicans Party.
When asked, George Washington described himself as primarily a farmer and enjoyed trying various crops, adjusting planting and harvesting techniques, and building unique storage and barn facilities. His efforts allowed him to better provide for those living at Mount Vernon and other properties he acquired. His creative endeavors as a farmer leave a further legacy beyond the establishment of our national government.
For more information about visiting Mount Vernon, click here George Washington’s Mount Vernon.
Visiting Jefferson’s Monticello
Plan and purchase tickets online for Monticello before you head out – they are limited and time-specific. The video streams provided on their website at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello bring to life all the great exhibits to see.
Thomas Jefferson was our third President, serving between 1797 and 1801, followed by a later term in 1804. He is known for being the principal author of the Declaration of Independence and served his entire life in the pursuit of democracy, independence, republicanism, and individual rights. Born in Virginia, he was proud to serve as its second Governor during the War. He later became a US Minister to France before becoming Secretary of State and President.
During his Presidency, the United States doubled in size with the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark’s exploration of the new territories in support of settler expansion. Jefferson’s ongoing legacy to the new world is best known for establishing the University of Virginia, envisioned as a religious free place of learning. In addition, with his homestead Monticello as an example, his architectural design tied to Greek and Roman styles heavily influenced architecture in the “new world.”
Visiting Madison’s Montpelier
James Madison served as our fourth President from 1809 to his retirement in 1817. Before his Presidency, he co-wrote the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton. He pushed for a stronger national government with the drafting and promotion of the Virginia Plan before the Continental Convention, and served as a leader in the US House of Representatives and close advisor to President Washington. He served as Secretary of State from 1801 to 1809. James Madison was known as the “Father of the Constitution” as the main author and drafted the Bill of Rights. He also supervised the Louisiana Purchase for President Jefferson.
During Madison’s Presidency, he fought “the second war against Britain,” also known as the War of 1812, which further defined trade relationships with Britain and others under the Tariff of 1816. After the War, and based on the difficulties with financing it, Madison saw the need to re-establish a national bank and increase funding for the army and navy as a means for further securing US assets.
Madison, while recognized for his writing and understanding of governmental needs, was a shy person. As the first lady, Dolley Madison opened the White House for social events and was known for intentionally inviting both parties, thereby setting the tone for bipartisanship. In many ways, she was the first to define the “role of the First Lady.”
Montpelier visitor information is available at their website Explore History At Our House | Montpelier.
United We Stand – Divided We Fall
While the phrase “United We Stand – Divided We Fall” can be traced back to the Greeks in the 6th Century, it befits the situation we face today and many times since the Founding Fathers debated the contents of our US Constitution. Our 200+ year country is a mere fledgling by worldly standards, and we still suffer growing pains.
But we have survived many trials and tribulations. Significant examples include the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812 against the British, an internal Civil War, two World Wars, Emancipation and Segregation, Financial Recession and Depression, and the 1918 pandemic.
Our two-party democratic system – while it can be divisive – leads typically to compromise and well thought out decisions. While factions in each party may pull us away from a centralized solution, we need to resist. We are much stronger when we stand with our allies, negotiate in good faith on how best to meet our citizens’ needs, remember our oaths to the Constitution, and work towards a cohesive solution.
So take a day trip and go back in history to remember how we got here and relive our Founding Fathers’ dedication.
As James Madison continues to point out at Montpelier, We the People Unite!