Madison foundation honors another Orange president
The Daily Progress/Megan Lovett
Helen Marie Taylor, president of the James Madison Foundation and descendant of President Zachary Taylor, discusses the Presidential Cousins exhibit at the James Madison Museum in Orange. Zachary Taylor was President Madison’s second cousin.
ORANGE — In a corner of the James Madison Museum, second cousin Zachary Taylor’s baby fork and spoon sit in a glass case.
“You can see where he teethed on one end,” said Helen Marie Taylor, a relative and the president of the James Madison Foundation.
The blemished silverware is part of a new “Presidential Cousins” exhibit at the museum to celebrate Zachary Taylor and second cousin James Madison. The exhibit unveiling event on Sunday also included a patriotic birthday cake to celebrate Zachary Taylor’s 224th birthday.
The exhibit will remain open for a year, when the James Madison Foundation is planning an even larger celebration for Taylor’s 225th birthday. G. William Thomas, the foundation’s vice president, said Taylor deserves local recognition.
“We felt the need to honor the 12th president of the United States,” Thomas said. “Zachary Taylor was the only [president] born in Orange County.”
Other presidents born in Virginia are George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler and Woodrow Wilson.
After his birth, Taylor’s family moved to Kentucky. He joined the U.S. Army in 1808 and served in several wars. The museum’s exhibit includes his portable writing desk, which traveled with him during his 40-year military career.
Several paintings of Taylor in his military garb are hanging in the museum. One of them, which artist Samuel F.B. Morse painted, was recently given to Helen Marie Taylor for her 85th birthday by the former president’s great-great-great-grandson.
About 40 people listened to speeches about Zachary Taylor and the museum Sunday while snacking on sherry, hot cider and gingersnaps. Henry Lee Carter, the town’s mayor, read a proclamation declaring today Zachary Taylor Appreciation Day. The Orange County Board of Supervisors also has recognized Nov. 24 as Zachary Taylor Day.
Visitors who want to see the exhibit on Taylor’s birthday can come between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. today. For more information, call (540) 672-1776 or visit http://www.jamesmadisonmus.org.
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