James Madison's Montpelier

James Madison's Montpelier will create non-partisan programming to inspire and empower people to become more active, engaged, and educated participants in American democracy. In partnership with the First Amendment Museum and local community organizations, the museum will develop and implement four teacher professional development seminars, 18 community "how-to" workshops, and student workshops expected to reach 2,750 students over the course of the project. The programs will help teachers, students, and the general public learn how to exercise their First Amendment rights of speech, press, assembly, and petition. The museum will contract with an outside evaluator to design and implement formative and summative evaluation components. This project is designed to promote civic engagement and is central to Montpelier's Constitution Initiative, a 10-year venture dedicated to the nation's founding document.