#FreeMontpelier

Photo by Eduardo Montes-Bradley

Montpelier Foundation Controversy

UPDATEThe Montpelier Foundation board of directors voted on May 16 to welcome eleven new members drawn from a list of twenty esteemed nominees advanced by the Montpelier Descendants Committee (MDC). This momentous decision brings parity in the governance of President James Madison’s estate. At last, descendants of the hundreds of the persons enslaved by the “Father of the Constitution” and on nearby plantations will now share power on Montpelier’s board. Read the MDC’s press release to learn more about this joyful victory.  

Now the effort must turn towards repairing the self-inflicted damage that has been done to Montpelier’s staff, reputation, partners, finances, and programs.

Visit this page for updates on the effort to #FreeMontpelier.

Below you will find:

– Action steps
– Press coverage
– Statements of support from field-leading organizations 

Media contact: Greg Werkheiser, greg@culturalheritagepartners.com or (703) 408-2002

TAKE ACTION!

1. Follow and support the Montpelier Descendants Committee on Twitter (don’t forget to use the hashtag #FreeMontpelier).

2. Follow James Madison’s Montpelier on social media (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) and remind them of the need to change executive leadership and bring back the terminated and furloughed staff. 

3. Let your voice be heard in the comments section of news coverage.

MDC Press Releases (from most to least recent):

  • Press release from the Montpelier Descendants Committing announcing that the Montpelier Foundation voted to elect 11 new MDC-endorsed members, achieving board parity (May 16, 2022)
  • Press release from the Montpelier Descendants Committee announcing a slate of twenty incredible candidates for The Montpelier Foundation board (April 28, 2022)
  • Press release of the Montpelier Descendants Committee on the Montpelier CEO firing employees (April 18, 2022)
  • Press release of the Montpelier Descendants Committee on the Board voting to abandon shared governance promise (March 28, 2022)

Press (from most to least recent):

Statements from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Montpelier Staff

  • Petition to support the Montpelier Descendants Committee and the Montpelier Staff
  • Statement from the National Trust for Historic Preservation congratulating the Montpelier Foundation board on achieving structural parity (May 16, 2022) 
  • Statement from the National Trust for Historic Preservation on the slate of nominees for The Montpelier Foundation board (April 28, 2022)
  • Statement from Montpelier staff calling for the reinstatement of fired colleagues and full implementation of the parity agreement (April 23, 2022)
  • Statement by the National Trust for Historic Preservation condemning actions taken against Montpelier staff (April 18, 2022)
  • Protest statement from brave Montpelier staff who have been retaliated against by the Board, including being fired (March 25, 2022)
  • Warning letter sent to the Montpelier Foundation Board from the CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation (March 24, 2022)

Organization Statements of Support