Discover the rich history of the plantation and historic house on this guided tour. Property pass included in ticket price.
Find more James Madisons Montpelier Events
James Madisons Montpelier
13425 Visitor Center RoadAndrew Lawler will discuss his latest book, A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis That Spurred the American Revolution. As the Revolution erupted in 1775, Virginia became a flashpoint when Governor Lord Dunmore threatened to free and arm enslaved people to defend the Crown, sparking fierce local resistance. Skirmishes in Norfolk, including the city’s burning, forced patriots to confront both British authority and the issue of slavery, pushing Virginia’s leaders toward independence. A Perfect Frenzy uncovers these dramatic, often overlooked events, offering a fresh lens on the Revolution’s causes and the early roots of America’s racial divide.
Speaker Bio:
Andrew Lawler is the author of national bestseller The Secret Token, about the lost colony of Roanoke, and the award-winning Under Jerusalem. As a journalist he has written for the New York Times, Washington Post, National Geographic, and Smithsonian. He is a contributing writer for Science and contributing editor for Archaeology magazines. He lives in Asheville, North Carolina.
Sun, Jun 14, 2026 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Discover the rich history of the plantation and historic house on this guided tour. Property pass included in ticket price.
Find more James Madisons Montpelier Events