February Program: James Madison, 4th US President and Dolley Madison

Monday, February 16, 2026

Doors Open at 6:30 pm

Enjoy complimentary refreshments and browse our partner table.

Program  7:00-8:30 pm

Southridge Recreation Center

4800 McArthur Ranch Road, Highlands Ranch

$5 Donation Suggested at Door for non-HRHS members

Consider applying the Donation to Membership!    Click HERE for more info.

Perhaps James Madison was one of this country’s most unappreciated presidents. Small of stature and quiet in manner, he often went unnoticed among the more celebrated founding fathers in our nation’s history.

And yet, when we examine carefully the accounts of the first generation, we find that Madison was almost always there when the most crucial decisions were made. We discover his quiet presence calling for specific actions that would protect our tenuous liberty and safeguard the newly created institutions designed to enhance that liberty.

We also admire his perceptive choice of the extraordinary Dolley Madison to be his wife—a fitting companion for this public servant!!  As the First Lady, Dolley brought glamour to The White House.

This PowerPoint presentation will examine Madison’s role in the creation of the United States of America and his eventual service as the president who guided the country through the tumultuous years of the War of 1812, a conflict that proved this new country was strong enough to take its place amongst the nations of the world.

ABOUT OUR PRESENTER: MARY SUDMAN DONOVAN

Mary Sudman Donovan is a local historian and author. Having taught History for many years at Hunter College of the City University of New York, she now teaches Learners’ Courses at Wind Crest. She is the author of several books including The Thirteen Colonies Cookbook and George Washington at “Head Quarters, Dobbs Ferry”.