Mother & Daughter Moments: The Historians

The Nagels in Central Park's Conservatory Garden Photo/Amanda Gordon

Mother: Susan Nagel, author, most recently, of “Marie-Thérèse, Child of Terror”

Daughter: Hadley Nagel, founder of Americans For Madison

Where we met them: The Central Park Conservancy ‘Hat Luncheon’ (Mrs. Nagel has been on the committee for the event for 25 years)

What they were wearing: Hats by Paula del Percio of the Hat Box in Laguna Beach, Calif.; Susan’s suit by St. John; Hadley’s dress by Molly B.

The encounter:

I’m noticing how well coordinated your hats and outfits are. You’re mother and daughter?

Susan: “This is my baby, she’s a senior at Nightingale-Bamford. She’s the youngest lobbyist on Capitol Hill.”

Hadley: “I’m lobbying for a federally funded monument to James Madison to be built hopefully on the Mall. There’s a bill in the House right now. The Minority Whip, Rep. Eric Cantor, is supporting it, which is great because he holds the seat James Madison held. Reps. Baron Hill and Brian Baird are sponsoring it.”

Are you related to Madison?

Hadley: “No, I’m not related. I’m just fascinated by him. I went down to his house, Montpelier, in Virginia, and I learned about him and realized he is just so under-recognized.”

Susan: “She was part of an event at the New-York Historical Society on October 2, a symposium on Madison with Joseph Ellis and Sean Wilentz. And Joe Ellis called her the best advocate for James Madison since Dolley.”

You’re a senior now. What are your plans for next year?

Hadley: “I’m going to be a Hudson Scholar at Johns Hopkins.”

Susan: “Hudson Trust Scholar. She’ll be close to Washington so she can lobby more.”