Montpelier Station in Orange County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Quarters
Discovering Madison
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
1. The Quarters Marker
"The Negro habitations are separate from the dwelling house both here and all over Virginia, and they form a kind of village."
- Journal of Sir Augustus John Foster, 1807
The Quarters, a cluster of wooden buildings segregated from the main house, provided shelter for some of Montpelier's enslaved community. Accommodating both individuals and families, they were located near the workplace to assure efficient production. Within the harsh realities of slavery, the quarters became a kind of village where people developed strategies for coping with their living and working conditions, adapted to their master's requirements, and preserved their African heritage. The quarters also became an important crucible for emerging African American cultural traditions.
Erected by Montpelier Foundation. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Agriculture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1807.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 38° 13.102′ N, 78° 10.146′ W. Marker was in Montpelier Station, Virginia, in Orange County
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Northern Virginia and in the Piedmont. It was also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 6 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Garden (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Madison's Farm Complex (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Madison's Farm Complex (about 700 feet away); Home Farm Complex (approx. Ό mile away); Mount Pleasant (approx. Ό mile away); Montpelier Flag Stop (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Montpelier Station.
Other markers no longer nearby. Homes for Enslaved Families (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Backyard (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Road (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); a different marker also named The Garden (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Madison Farm Complex (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Blacksmith Shop (was about 600
Photographed by Craig Swain, September 6, 2009
2. The Quarters Marker
Photographed by Craig Swain
3. South Yard Slave Quarters
Looking over the area of the South Yard.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on April 22, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 3, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on November 1, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
