Closed
|
The museum will be closed December 24, 25, 26, and 31 and January 1-4 owing to the upcoming holidays.
|
Museum Shop
| | |
Ready to Tempt You with Holiday Goodies 
|
|
Thank You
|
 A special thank you to the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club for providing this year's fresh outdoor decorations.
|
Gift Idea
|
Historic Garden Week is the oldest and largest statewide house and garden tour event in the nation. Join us April 20-27, 2013, for the 80th annual Garden Week!
HGW tickets are now available online. They make great holiday gifts!Tour proceeds fund the restoration and preservation of Virginia's Historic Gardens, all of which are open to the public. 2013 Tour Schedule
|
| Intern |
 Junior Julia Wood, a History and Geography major at the University of Mary Washington, is working with Site Preservation Manager Beate Jensen to continue the work of documenting and mapping the various parcels of land belonging to the Melcherses and the Ficklen family in ArcGIS database, creating digital maps and plats of the estate. |
|
|
Programs
| | |
Holiday Tours
Month of December
The museum offers daily "Holidays with the Melchers" 30-minute guided tours of the artfully decorated Georgian house throughout December. Tours run on the hour, starting at 10:30 a.m. and are included in the regular admission price. These specialty tours showcase imaginative decorations and vignettes that interpret life at the Melchers' cherished Falmouth country retreat.
Note: No Woodland Hike scheduled for Sun, December 30
| |
Extended Through January 20
| |
"Glimpses of Holland from the Portfolios of Gari Melchers"  This is the last chance to see the 50 works that Curator Joanna Catron desribes as "really the births of paintings, the little seminal ideas." Although Gari Melchers would have never himself exhibited these sketches, Belmont visitors are given the rare treat of experiencing his art at its most formative stage - full of movement, color, and atmosphere. |
|
Caretaker's Cottage Merits Review
| | |
University of Mary Washington historic preservation students use technology to document changes over time at the Belmont caretaker's cottage.
The students, part of Michael Spencer's building forensics class, substantiated nearly everything Belmont's Site Preservation Manager, Beate Jensen, had thought about the structure. Namely, that the building was constructed in the 1840s and at some time the roof was raised to create a second story. Jensen also believes that the structure was originally a slave quarters and was converted into a home for Belmont's caretaker's family after the Civil War. Read more in this Free Lance-Star article written by Lindley Estes.
|
|
Belmont on the Road
| |
 Philadelphia Flower Show Trip
March 2-4
Trip includes: Accommodations next to Convention Center with breakfast included, two-day show pass, garden tea, and a visit to the legendary Barnes Collection in its new location.
The cost of the trip is $555 per person (based on double occupancy). Deposit of $200 by January 10.
For further information or to request a trip reservation form, please contact Betsy Labar at (540)654-1848 .
|
|
Preschool Palette
| | |
Children ages 2-5 enjoy a story, hands-on art project, and a visit to the museum.
December's theme is Holiday Gift Giving
 Tuesday, December 4
Thursday, December 6
Friday, December 7
Classes run from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
$8/child (Members $5), adults free, preregister by contacting Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540-654-1851. |
|
|
 Gari Melchers was an American artist who lived and painted at Belmont from 1916 until his death in 1932. Born in Detroit in 1860, Gari Melchers was a world famous portraitist and impressionist painter. He was one of the most successful painters of his time, sought out by the rich and famous. She was a beautiful, young art student, and his biggest fan.
They fell in love on an ocean liner and spent their lives sharing art.
More than a hundred years later, the story of Gari and Corinne Melchers lives on in their home, Belmont. Be a part of this story. Come and explore this unique 18th century estate, tour stunning art galleries and hike the 27 acres of garden and trails. Share it with someone you love!
A National Historic Landmark, Gari Melchers Home and Studio is one of just 30 of America's most significant artists' spaces included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios consortium.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont is open daily, except Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Museum Shop, which is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., is also the official home of the Stafford County Visitor Center, where visitors can find information about Stafford County attractions, restaurants, hotels and other amenities.
|
|
|
