James Madison Museum of Orange County Heritage

Helen Marie Taylor loved America and the liberty, creativity and prosperity she saw produced by the U.S. Constitution and our free enterprise system. She worked with passion and perseverance to protect and enhance the spiritual and intellectual foundations and the shared living history from which America's many blessings flow.   (legacy.com)  

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In 1964 Jaquelin Erasmus Taylor, Helen Marie's husband, brought Bloomsbury back into the Taylor family when he purchased the property from the Jerdone family who had lived there for 122 years.  Together, "Jack" and Helen Marie worked on necessary repairs to preserve the home.  Within just a couple of years, Jack presented the deed to the property to Helen Marie and the preservation of Bloomsbury became her passion.  

 

She spent 50 years collecting 18th and early 19th century furnishings, creating a private museum in which she told not just the history of the Taylor and Madison families; she also talked about the interlaced histories of Orange County, Virginia, and early America.  It was her desire that Bloomsbury be opened for tours to continue her dedication to preservation and education.  Further, as one of the co-founders of the James Madison Museum she also wanted to ensure that the museum carried on well into the future.  

 

On June 15, 2002, her wishes became a reality. Bloomsbury Manor, LLC and The James Madison Museum (of Orange County Heritage) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding which allows the Museum the authority to provide tours of Bloomsbury and all proceeds benefit the Museum. We are honored to have been entrusted with this legacy.