A19: James and Dolley Madison, Montpelier,  and the Founding of Our Nation - 3 units
T. James Walker
Tues. 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. - October 7, 14, 21      
Senior Center - Limit: 75

Jim Walker is a guide at Montpelier. In 1996 he retired after serving 30 years with the U.S. Dept. of Labor, the last nine as Regional Director of the Job Corps in Dallas, Texas. He received a Master’s in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell and a B.S. in Economics from Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute. He has been conducting tours at Montpelier for the past three years.

The course will focus on the lives and characters of James and Dolley Madison and the enormous contribution they made to the founding of our nation. Emphasis will be placed on: the “founding” events; who the founders were and what roles they played; the role of slavery in the “founding”; the tumultuous years following the Declaration of Independence; the Constitution and the ratification debates; Madison’s executive years as Secretary of State and President; the Madisons’ retirement years at Montpelier; and the legacy they have left to us.

Suggested Reading: Ralph Ketcham, James Madison, a Biography; Richard Cote’, Strength and Honor, the Life of Dolley Madison; Joseph Ellis, Founding Brothers; Charles Cerami, Young Patriots; Richard Labunski, James Madison and the Struggle for the Bill of Rights; Joseph Ellis, American Creation.