Sept. 17 Constitution Day will be unlike any other

In an upstairs room of the mansion at Montpelier, the floorboards are worn smooth by the pacing of a man deep in thought about a new country's government. Tour guides point to faint dots of ink in the floor and suggest they could be accidental spills from a future president intensely focused on the perfect democratic society. When James Madison helped pen the Constitution, his research and writings were very much connected to his sprawling estate in Orange County and every year Montpelier hosts a celebration Sept. 17 commemorating the document's ratification. This year's celebration will be like no other.
Constitution Day was established by Congress in 2005 and was spearheaded by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia.
"The purpose was to have a day acknowledging and studying the constitution," said Peggy Vaugh, vice president of communications and visitor services for Montpelier. "Senator Byrd wanted people to have a day that was just as important as the day the government was founded, because this is really the date the new nation was agreed upon. We tend to agree with him."
Constitution Day is celebrated annually with a day of free admission to Montpelier and programs and activities for visitors and schoolchildren. This year, because Sept. 17 falls on a Saturday, Vaughn said Montpelier worried fewer schoolchildren would have the opportunity to visit the estate. Because of that, this year's celebration will run into the evening and culminate in a fireworks display.
"This year's celebration is going to be a little more like the Fourth of July," said Vaughn. "It will be a little more festive. We'll have fireworks, food, James and Dolley Madison in attendance and beer and wine for the first time."
Vaughn said Montpelier will be charging for this year's event, $10 per car, but $5 per car for Orange County residents. She said the admission will help offset the costs of the bigger plans for this year's celebration.
 "We want citizens of Orange County to feel that Montpelier is a place they can come and experience a wonderful historical site," said Vaughn.
The fireworks for the festivities were donated by Celebrate Orange, whose Picnic in the Park, Fourth of July fireworks display was rained out.
Sept. 17 Montpelier will be open for mansion tours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Music will be provided by the Quantico Marine Corps Band and students from McLean High School's "Project Enlightenment" will be on hand in period dress. The fireworks will conclude the day's celebration and will begin at 8 p.m.