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Restoring America's Heritage

Here in the heart of Virginia's historic piedmont region, founding father James Madison is reported to have "thought about government more deeply and with greater effect than anyone in history." When the architect of the U.S. Constitution was not thinking about governmental matters, he was often thinking about landscaping. His changes to this estate reflect a revolution in landscaping, from 18th century Georgian practices showing mastery over nature to a more naturalistic, harmonious approach. You can join Dr. Matthew Reeves and the staff of the Montpelier Foundation as they unearth details of the estate's landscape, spectactularly preserved below later landscape… more

Restoring America's Heritage

Here in the heart of Virginia's historic piedmont region, founding father James Madison is reported to have "thought about government more deeply and with greater effect than anyone in history." When the architect of the U.S. Constitution was not thinking about governmental matters, he was often thinking about landscaping. His changes to this estate reflect a revolution in landscaping, from… more

Trip at-a-glance

Price: From $1,849* per person
Lodging: all_inclusive
When: August-October
Number of days: 12
Group size: 12

This trip is offered by:

Earthwatch Institute

Call them at 800-776-0188 about this trip and mention you saw it at TravelDragon, or contact them.

Trip details

Working on the well-maintained grounds of this historic estate with a dramatic view of the Blue Ridge Mountains, you will help determine the extent of landscaping more than 200 years ago. You will excavate five-foot-square units to reveal the full extent of roads, paths, fences, and other landscape elements, carefully screening soils for artifacts and gravel. Back in the lab you will wash and sort artifacts, float soil samples for botanical remains, and enter data into a computer database. When you're not digging into history yourself, Montpelier staff will provide detailed tours on the estate, including the mansion, the family cemetery, the slave cemetery, an old-growth forest and formal garden. Your team will gain an insider's view of historic landscaping and a new appreciation for the early years of the United States.

You will stay at an antebellum home located on Montpelier's estate grounds, featuring all the amenities, large spacious halls, attractive rural outbuildings, and other southern comforts. Your team will work together to shop for groceries at the local supermarket and prepare meals limited only by your imagination. Montpelier staff will join you for meals, and some meals may be hosted by members of the local community.

As an Eons member, you'll get a free, 1 year membership to Earthwatch — a $35 value — when you sign up on any expedition. And members pay $100 less on their expedition contribution — so you save $135! Just put code EONS2007 in the comment field on the signup form, or, if you call, tell the Expedition Coordinator that you found us on Eons.

Earthwatch expedition-related costs may be tax-deductible in the US as volunteer expenses. Please check with your tax adviser.

*TRAVEL INFORMATION DISCLAIMER: Travel product and pricing information are the travel provider’s base estimates, published here as a convenience to TravelDragon users without verification by TravelDragon. Your actual price will vary depending upon length of trip, travel dates, number of traveling guests, transportation (e.g. airfare, rail passes, etc.), and optional service features such as room categories or individualized food requirements. This base price estimate may or may not include all necessary fees, taxes, government-imposed surcharges. Be sure to confirm availability, total price and trip details with the travel provider using the contact information provided here.

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