ORANGE, VA — James Madison’s Montpelier will host its spring “Big Woods Walk,” a guided tour of the James Madison Landmark Forest, on Sunday, April 11, at 2:00 p.m. Visitors will take a 90-minute journey of the 200-acre old-growth forest, also known as the “Big Woods” with Montpelier’s horticulturist.
“Time has stood still in the ‘Big Woods,’ said Montpelier horticulturist Sandy Mudrinich. “It is a natural treasure that has not been disturbed by humans and takes visitors back to the way the Piedmont looked more than 200 years ago. People who visit during the spring especially enjoy seeing the lush greenery just beginning to bloom.”
The trees in the forest are up to 300 years old and range in size up to 60 inches in diameter. The
forest floor harbors a diverse population of wildlife and is rich with native plant species. The U.S. Department of the Interior designated the “Big Woods” a National Natural Landmark in 1987.
Montpelier’s quarterly “Big Woods Walks” lets visitors experience the beauty of the old-growth forest in each of the four seasons. The public can also visit the James Madison Landmark Forest’s two miles of self-guided trails, including a handicapped accessible segment, during Montpelier’s normal operating hours each day.
No additional fee above standard admission will be charged for The “Big Woods Walk” on April 11. For information, please call 540-672-2728, x442. Walk participants should meet in the Montpelier Visitor Center at 2:00 pm. Comfortable clothing and shoes are recommended.
James Madison’s Montpelier
Montpelier is the lifelong home of James Madison, Father of the Constitution, architect of the Bill of Rights, and president of the United States. Visitors can currently see the progress of “A
Presidential Detective Story: Rediscovering the Furnishings and Décor of James and Dolley Madison” through daily guided tours, now that the home’s recent $25 million architectural restoration is complete. They can also participate in hands-on crafts, cooking, and archaeology; leisurely stroll the garden and forests; and take in the galleries and many other attractions on the estate’s 2,650 acres. Nestled in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Montpelier is located in the heart of Virginia’s wine country on Route 20, four miles south of Orange, Virginia. Montpelier is a National Trust Historic Site. To learn more, visit www.montpelier.org.
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NOTE TO THE MEDIA: Digital color images of Montpelier are available. Please contact Elizabeth Loring, assistant director of communications, at 540.672.2728 ext. 111 or eloring@montpelier.org
