Season 1, Episode 4-James Madison and Port Conway

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Listen to This Episode!
Season 1, Episode 4: James Madison and Port Conway

Listen as we visit James Madison’s birth and site at Belle Grove Plantation in Port Conway, along the Rappahannock. While the original home fell into the river (!), you can visit the current Belle Grove Plantation. Learn about Madison’s childhood and education, his family, and what else happened near his birth site!

History of Belle Grove Plantation, on the site of the President’s birthplace.

James Madison at Mount Pleasant from Encyclopedia Virginia.

Be sure to check out James Madison’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 2, “James Madison and Montpelier” for his homes!

Also, check out James Madison’s “Visiting the Presidents” Episode from Season 3, “James Madison’s Tomb” for his gravesite!

From My May 2017 Visit!

Highway marker for Madison’s birthplace.
With Madison’s marker!
Snapped!

***BONUS: the Booth markers I spotted en route to the Madison birthplace!

The Assassin’s End marker I first spotted on my way to Madison’s birthplace.
Sign in Port Royal for the Booth marker.

From My July 2021 Visit!

Re-Visiting James Madison’s Birthplace!
Entrance to Belle Grove!
Marker for Booth with Belle Grove behind.
Belle Grove Plantation
Booth’s signage.
Other Booth sign.

From My June 2022 Visit!

James Madison birthplace marker.
Just across the river from James Madison’s birthplace in Port Royal.
Mount Pleasant, on today’s Montpelier estate, where Madison grew up before moving into the main mansion.
What Belle Grove, Madison’s birthplace, would have looked like along the Rappahannock, ca. Booth’s escape.
James Madison portrait by Gilbert Stuart.

James Madison Birthplace: 17200 James Madison Parkway, Port Conway, Virginia.

Check out the Most Recent Episodes!

How I Spent My Summer of Presidential Travels 2026, Part 1! – Visiting the Presidents

BONUS episode featuring my summer of presidential travels as I fit in as many birthplaces, gravesites, homes, and other sites into one history professor's summer break. My trip back to Ohio from Arizona, and the start of my New England swing! Links to Previous Episodes Mentioned:Birthplaces"Andrew Johnson and Raleigh""Calvin Coolidge and Plymouth Notch""Lyndon Johnson and Stonewall"Homes"Franklin Pierce and Concord""Abraham Lincoln and Springfield""Benjamin Harrison and Indianapolis""Calvin Coolidge and Northampton" for the Coolidge Homestead"Franklin Roosevelt and Warm Springs" for Campobello Island "Lyndon Johnson and the LBJ Ranch"Gravesites"Millard Fillmore's Tomb""Franklin Pierce's Tomb" "Abraham Lincoln's Tomb""Benjamin Harrison's Tomb" "Calvin Coolidge's Tomb""Lyndon Johnson's Tomb" Support the showAlso, check out “Visiting the Presidents” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! Support the showAlso, check out “Visiting the Presidents” on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! 
  1. How I Spent My Summer of Presidential Travels 2026, Part 1!
  2. S3 E38 Gerald Fords Tomb
  3. S3 E37 Richard Nixon's Tomb
  4. S3 E36 Lyndon Johnson's Tomb
  5. S3 E35 John F Kennedy's Tomb

Feldman, Noah. The Three Lives of James Madison: Genius, Partisan, President

Ketcham, Ralph. James Madison: A Biography

Brookhiser, Richard. James Madison

Published by visitingthepresidents

I'm a Professor of History at Central Arizona College and someone who loves history and travel; my new blog will combine those interests!

2 thoughts on “Season 1, Episode 4-James Madison and Port Conway”

  1. Pingback: Season 2, Episode 4-James Madison and Montpelier – Visiting the Presidents
  2. Pingback: Season 3, Episode 4-James Madison’s Tomb – Visiting the Presidents

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