Highland Springs Chapter NSDAR

06/04/2026

Between 1723 and 1844, more than 300 African Americans, as many as six generations, lived in slavery at Montpelier. This cluster of buildings located in the South Yard housed some of the enslaved domestic servants who kept the Madison family and their many visitors comfortable, laboring as cooks, scullions, porters, footmen, waiters, maids, and stable hands.

Thanks to the rich archaeological record we know quite a bit about the material culture of those who were enslaved and living in the South Yard dwellings. With this wealth of information, we were able to represent those who lived in the South Yard with accurate material culture. Each piece helps tell a more full story of those who worked and lived in the South Yard while still educating our visitors about the reality of slavery. You’ll find pieces such as ceramics and goods that were purchased and slates and pencils used to teach reading and writing.

06/04/2026

"It will always afford me real pleasure to extend what ever encouragement may be consistent with my general duties, to such particular Persons as have long been faithful & useful Servants of the Community. I finally commend you to the protection of Heaven, and sincerely wish you may enjoy every species of felicity." George Washington, Letter to Charles Thomson, July 24, 1789

Source: https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/05-03-02-0171

Compliments of George Washington Society, an educational 501(c)(3) non-profit. Your tax deductible contributions are appreciated: https://georgewashingtonsociety.org/

06/01/2026

05/25/2026

05/22/2026

On this day May 20 in 1834, the Marquis de Lafayette died. He truly was America's favorite fighting Frenchman.

There's not much that George Washington, John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, James Monroe, and John Quincy Adams agreed on, but none of them ever wavered in their love for Lafayette.

One reason why was touched on by John Quincy Adams in an address to Congress after Lafayette's death in 1834: "He devoted himself, his life, his fortune, his hereditary honors, his towering ambition, his splendid hopes, all to the cause of liberty. He came to another hemisphere to defend her. He became one of the most effective champions of our Independence; but, that once achieved, he returned to his own country, and thenceforward took no part in the controversies which have divided us."

So Lafayette was so beloved in part because he helped the U.S. gain independence and promptly peaced out back to France.

Cementing his popularity, Lafayette returned to the US decades later to kick off America's 50th birthday and the spirit of '76. On his famous farewell tour 200 years ago, Lafayette stopped at Mount Vernon to pay his respects. During that final visit he was able to see once more a gift he had sent to George Washington years earlier—the iron key to the Bastille. He even got to show it to his son, Georges Washington Lafayette.

05/22/2026

in 1796, Ona Judge chose to run away from the president's house in Philadelphia after learning she would be given to Elizabeth Parke Custis.

Born at Mount Vernon around 1774, Judge was the daughter of Betty, an enslaved seamstress. At age ten, Judge became Mrs. Washington’s personal maid. When George Washington was elected president, fifteen-year-old Judge traveled with seven other enslaved people to the executive residence, first in New York and then in Philadelphia.

After her escape to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, she was confronted on two separate occasions by Washington’s aides, who offered a return to Mount Vernon free of punishment. She refused, choosing to spend the remainder of her life living in New Hampshire as a fugitive of the law but free from enslavement.⁣

Follow the link in the comments to learn more about Ona Judge.

05/22/2026

Highland Springs Chapter has launched it's Geocache Trail celebrating America's 250!
Featuring 11 historic stops, with information tying Beaumont history to an event during the Revolutionary time period.
If you are in the Beaumont area, you can explore the trail in person starting at Beaumont City Hall, 550 E 6th St. Beaumont, CA. Look for the small vinyl sticker on the front doors and scan the QR code to get started. You can also complete the trail virtually. At the end of the trail, answer a few questions and we will send you a Beaumont Geocache Trail patch and you can download a virtual certificate.
https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Flabs.geocaching.com%2Fgoto%2F878d38f3-f367-435b-8133-1ff8abea9714%3Ffbclid%3DIwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExVWI1Ymw1S2NjWllBT1plOXNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR5QCLxtLzQzvp-WyhkfoVsy65eeY-OD03j7WD058qPw6EVGNkn5MnhYsB961g_aem_vnHsYWC8FIc52TyQXoKvxg&h=AUBXUEg1UK8MyMTkZ2wQnz6cLJ6q6qF0EeFeuVwW3Pv5gymj7A6jq0K3eN14CgxtxwKFg5H8rTMEI6CtWHkTdsmYDkPqZmiiyQE9TAIN5euVEI8KAU4MfxVVCZbhtyLKrBlY_9yNd8nBqeHC_olsRHAoAVMlJ6YgXQQ&__tn__=-UK-R&c[0]=AUCCWLl2J-YiK_QEIMnoBJlZ9hIhOWRkwrmiGoAY4q2g9Lh0O7cEt3Aw7b_PPyOJ0FobqlXpTsQ4s6QeOr_v6emXkMM95JNTZvKXUJU0eGibTE_0dOIjQM28-CchyKi87lOw-HjJdB0twcXGgjoIZqKCe8KnsWCTe3OpgqVGOjeMPk8TySE

The HSDAR Geocache Trail Celebrating America's 250! is a free, family-friendly, educational virtual history trail celebrating America's 250th anniversary through the historic landmarks of Beaumont, CA. How to complete the trail: 1. Begin at Beaumont City Hall (550 E 6th St) — look for the small vi...