so, james and dolley lived on the left side. his parents and their other children lived on the right side. and the way the two households called on each other was via the front doors and the shelter of the portico. now, the house remained in this configuration only for about ten years. and then madison was elected president of the united states. and with that then huge salary of $25,000 a year, he embarked on another renovation and expansion campaign of his home. he added the one-story wings on either side. the wing on this side he created a private librarlibrary. the wing the other side he really designed as a private apartment for his mother. his father had passed away at this time. and then he added the door designed with the help of his good friend thomas jefferson as the real centerpiece, welcoming you into montpelier. so, this home as it now stands really reflects james madison's vision for his home and it also tells his entire life story from a youth to his marriage to his ascension to the position of president of the uni

madison didn't save it, it references dolley madison's heroism, the thing we all remember that dolley madison saved the portrait of george washington and other pieces from the white house that she was the last one there as the british were advancing, and really left just a little in front of the advancing british troops who then burnt the white house. >> in 1814. >> in 1814, although we call it the war of 1812, you that was left, the skeleton of the white house. you can see in the graphic behind the dresses, a period picture of the burnt white house. >> and her action following that to keep the capitol? >> there was talk about moving the capitol to what seemed to be a safer place or easier place -- something that didn't have to be rebuilt. dolley madison made it back to the capitol in four days, rented the octagon house and set up shop there and proceeded to have parties again, gatherings and make a statement that said, we're here. we survived and we're staying here. and began the rebuilding of the presidency. >> the role of women at this time and political rights for women in dolley

in the china and in the back section, case studies of first ladies you'll see dolley madison. dolly madison served for the widowed -- the widowed thomas jefferson. he also, his daughter would also serve as his hostess periodically, but so did mrs. madison, who was the secretary of state's wife, because in mixed company at the time had you to have a hostess. you could not entertain ladies unless there was a hostess. there was a real need to have a woman in the white house to perform that function, because so much even now, so much of washington life is carried on not on the floor of the house, not on the floor are of the senate, not in official places but at parties. informal gatherings where you can talk in a calmer more casual manner, and so the first lady helps -- all the women of washington, really, are responsible for keeping those networks open and that life happening. >> so is that sort of the point of showing the dress? that there's much more meaning behind the dress? >> there is more meaning behind the dress. one we show it because it's beautiful and people love them,

we've heard dolley madison eleanor roosevelt. who was the most influential first lady to serve?t: barbara is a republican in brooklyn. good morning. caller: good morning. i think nancy reagan and laura bush were the most influential in my lifetime. host: why? caller: why? classy. they did a lot of things that the press never gave them credit for like they do michelle obama about obesity, which is a big thing, but laura bush was also very with women's rights in afghanistan and she really did not give the credit because of her husband's and popularity with the war'ss. i honestly believe michelle obama is a nice woman but she is overblown. thank you. host: let's go to alex, a democratic caller in allen texas. good morning. caller: good morning. i would like to say there -- i like to say nancy reagan, just because she said back in the 1980's "just say no to drugs." that is the reason why. i remember that. host: did it have an influence on your life? caller: yes it did. i was a teenager back then and i was very -- that was very influential for me. nancy reagan. host: let's hear from