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Spring!
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Preschool Palette
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Children ages 2-5 enjoy a story, garden walk, hands-on art project, and a visit to the art gallery or historic house.
April's theme is A Day With No Crayons
April 8, 9, 11
Schedule through August
Classes run from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.
$8/child (Members $5), adults free, pre-register by contacting Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.
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Early Picture Back from Conservator's Lab
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While training in Paris sometime around 1881 or 1882, the young Gari Melchers visited the Louvre, and like countless students before him, copied the great masters to improve his technique. One of his efforts has survived. It is a copy of the famous fresco Giovanna
degli Albizzi and the Four Cardinal Virtues by the Italian Renaissance painter Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510).
The painting has just returned from a restoration, conducted by Perry Hurt of North Carolina. Its surface was cleaned of grime, paint cleavage (separation and lifting) was consolidated with animal glue, paint losses were inpainted and finally the whole was lightly varnished. More...
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Historic Garden Day
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"Belmont through a Lens: The Gardens"
April 20 through July 28
 To commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Garden Club of Virginia, and the 20th anniversary of their initial restoration of the gardens at Belmont, Gari Melchers Home and Studio will present an exhibition of archival photographs and related materials documenting the estate's gardens and grounds.
Included are original 1927 photographs taken by the pioneering female documentarian of architecture and gardens in the South, Frances Benjamin Johnston (1864-1952), as well as photos taken by owners Gari and Corinne Melchers, who revived and expanded upon the historic gardens. Included with museum admission.
Historic Garden Day
Tuesday, April 23, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
 To celebrate the anniversary - this tour will feature homes that were opened 80 years ago! Featured locations include Belmont, The Snowden House, Chatham, Brompton and Fall Hill. All of these properties enjoy spectacular views of the area and the Rappahannock. Ticket price also includes admission to the following locations and activities:
- Garden Day
- Kenmore
- George Washington's Ferry Farm
- The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library
Tickets: $30 on day of and $25 in advance at the following locations: Fredericksburg Visitor Center and the Stafford Visitor Center. Ticket: $25 advance. $30 day of tour
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Stafford's Great Blue Herons: From Rookery to River
Sunday, April 7, 2 p.m.
Speaker: Mike Lott, Crow's Nest Manager and DCR Northern Region Steward
 Great blue herons, due to their large size, are one of the most commonly seen birds in the Stafford County area. This is particularly true in the spring when many great blue herons can be seen flying back and forth from the heron rookery within and adjacent to the Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve to the Rappahannock River.
Great blue herons often congregate in large numbers along the Rappahannock River adjacent to Belmont where they take advantage of the spring fish migration (e.g. alewife and American shad). This represents an important food source for the young herons at the Crow's Nest Rookery.
This presentation will touch on the life history of the great blue heron, the rookery at Crow's Nest and importance of the spring fish migration along the Rappahannock River. Free and open to the public.
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Woodland Hike
Sunday, April 28, 2 p.m.
Virginia Master Naturalists, this informative free hike covers a mile of trails in both woodlands and fields and touches on the historic ruins of Belmont's past. Please wear sturdy footwear and meet outside the Visitor Center. Feltmaking with Animal Fibers
Sunday, May 5, 1-3 p.m.
 Learn the fascinating, dynamic art of hand-felting different fibers in many bright colors and textures. Led by artist-instructor Mirinda Reynolds, participants will experience a tactile treasure table of different animal fibers and learn a brief history of felted clothing. Common household materials will be used to create felted art clothing and experience the sustainable art of transforming old wool clothing items into new wearable art. $15 materials fee; Ages 7 & up; Reservations required at 540 654-1851.
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 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.
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