James Madison’s Montpelier Unveils New Education Building

Press Release from James Madison’s Montpelier:

Orange, VA – James Madison’s Montpelier unveiled Claude Moore Hall, its new $4.7 million, 6,800-square foot education building on Wednesday, November 30, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by key donors and supporters. The building’s state-of-the-art multimedia classroom, staff offices, and digital production studios expand the footprint of Montpelier’s Robert H. Smith Center of the Constitution, which provides multi-day, immersive classes on constitutional principles for teachers, law enforcement officers, elected officials, international leaders, and other constitutional practitioners.

“This is a really important day for Montpelier,” said Montpelier Foundation President Kat Imhoff. “We have the capacity now to reach audiences all over the world with what we feel are the nation’s best educational programs on constitutional principles and civic engagement.”

The expansive space will enable staff to record and broadcast lectures, programs, and podcasts led by the scholars and practitioners who teach at Montpelier’s constitutional education programs throughout the year, extending the Center’s reach to audiences across the nation and around the world.

“There is no better time in our history to be having well informed conversations about constitutions throughout the world,” said Doug Smith, Montpelier’s Vice President for the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution. “With the Potter Studio in Claude Moore Hall, Montpelier is setting a stake in the ground that we will be part of those conversations.”

David O. Stewart, renowned author whose works include the bestselling The Summer of 1787: The Men Who Invented the Constitution and Madison’s Gift: Five Partnerships That Built America, was on-site to record the public radio show Your Weekly Constitutional with Stewart Harris, professor at Lincoln Memorial University’s Duncan School of Law, in the Potter Studio.

President James Madison, portrayed by John Douglas Hall, was on hand to officiate at the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After the ceremony, Mr. Stewart addressed Montpelier donors, Board members, and staff. His remarks focused on Madison’s central role in the creation of the U.S. Constitution, how the Center is continuing to preserve Madison’s legacy, and how the addition of Claude Moore Hall will enable the Center to fulfill its mission.

Claude Moore Hall was made possible by the generous support of the Claude Moore Charitable Foundation, established in 1987 by Virginia-born Dr. Claude Moore, to enhance educational opportunities for young people throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Establishment of the new building also was supported by Louise B. Potter, the Robert H. Smith Family Foundation, and Jacqueline B. Mars. Additional support was received from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation; The Cabell Foundation; The Honorable Paul Michel and Ms. Brooke England; Brian R. Hall, OBE; and the Guilford Foundation.

The new facility, designed by Richmond-based architectural design firm Bartzen + Ball, is adjacent to Lewis Hall, which opened in 2007 and which has been instrumental in the Center being able to serve more than 49,000 people from all 50 states and 100 nations.

The building is supported by a geothermal heating and cooling system to make it more energy efficient. The studio space can seat more than 90 people and is engineered to be acoustically isolated to ensure that recording will not be interrupted by other activities in the building. Claude Moore Hall, mixed with space in Lewis Hall, affords program participants room to have break-out, small group discussions for a more collaborative, interactive learning experience.

About the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution

The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at James Madison’s Montpelier is one of America’s premier constitutional training centers. Since 2003, the Center has worked with more than 49,000 people from every state of the Union and over 100 countries. Through nonpartisan online and on-site programs, the Center inspires participation in civic dialogue, improves the public’s understanding of U.S. founding principles, and enables citizens to deepen their understanding of and participation in our constitutional self-government. To learn more, visit montpelier.org/center.

About James Madison’s Montpelier

The lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, Architect of the Bill of Rights, and fourth President of the United States, is more than a museum. As a monument to James Madison, a museum of American history, and a center for constitutional education, Montpelier engages the public with the enduring legacy of Madison’s most powerful idea: government by the people. The historic home and 2,650-acre grounds are open to visitors and student groups throughout the year; and the Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution at Montpelier offers world-class residential and online educational programs. Montpelier is a National Trust for Historic Preservation site. To learn more, visit www.montpelier.org.

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