08/01/2026
Congratulations, Dr. Deetz!
We’re incredibly grateful for the support and partnership of the outstanding staff at James Madison’s Montpelier. Their dedication helps preserve not only the history of James Madison, but also the stories of those who lived, worked, and were enslaved on these grounds.
We encourage everyone to visit Montpelier to learn more about this rich and complex history. There’s truly nothing like standing at the desk where Madison drafted the U.S. Constitution, looking out over grounds that remain remarkably unchanged since his lifetime.
I am incredibly honored and excited to write to you as the incoming President and CEO of The Montpelier Foundation. This truly is the fulfillment of a dream that began 15 years ago, after my first visit to Montpelier in 2011. Today, as I step into this new role, I do so with tremendous optimism for Montpelier's future.
Americans are asking important questions about our history, our democracy, and our shared future. There are few places better suited to help answer those questions than the home of James Madison, the Father of the Constitution. The Robert H. Smith Center for the Constitution, our award-winning exhibitions, our world-class archaeology program, and our exceptional research, curatorial, education, and interpretation teams are all devoted to one purpose: helping the public better understand our nation's past and creating opportunities for thoughtful dialogue in the present. The promise of "We the People" is more than a founding principle here. It is our mission, and we are ready for the work ahead.
Over the past year and a half, I have had the privilege of getting to know this remarkable place, its dedicated staff, and passionate supporters. I am committed to making Montpelier a national leader in constitutional education, civic engagement, preservation, and inclusive public history. None of this is possible without you. Thank you for your generosity, your enthusiasm, and your belief in what this institution can accomplish.
-Kelley Fanto Deetz
