Madison's Manor Reborn

Foundation President Michael C. Quinn said that in addition to the "forensic" approach taken by restorers, the project benefited from some "lucky breaks." A mantel that had been given to a neighbor about 1950 was found, and the original bricks on the mansion's facade held together while stucco was removed.

The restoration also scaled the home down from 55 rooms to 26, and several Madison-era pieces -- including windows, trim and paneling -- were discovered in different parts of the house, Quinn said.

"Most of the house survived, and where changes had been made, the evidence told us exactly how it originally looked," Quinn said.

With the completion of the architectural restoration, Quinn said, the next step is to furnish the 12,300-square-foot home, a process that will probably take years.

"We've started some research on it, and it's essentially a project of the same size and scope," he said.

Madison did research for the Constitution in Montpelier's second-floor study, said Peggy Vaughn, spokeswoman for the Montpelier Foundation.

"He researched all past democracies to find out why they failed, and then he designed one that would succeed," she said.

The restoration was funded primarily with private money, including $18 million from the estate of banking heir Paul Mellon. Virginia provided money for the restoration and about $4 million for ongoing operations at Montpelier, Quinn said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.