March 2014

In This Issue

In the News

Woodland Hike

Preschool Palette

Programs

Grants Update

In the News
Belmont: Gari Melchers Home and Art Studio in Virginia, The Huffington Post: Travel Arts: History Goes Up in the Air at Belmont Explore Black History in Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania, Call me Fred blog

Woodland Hike
Sunday, March 30 2 pm Led by 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.

Preschool Palette
Children ages 2-5 enjoy a story, garden walk, hands-on art project, and a visit to the art gallery or historic house. March's theme is "I Can Draw!" March 25, 27, & 28 2014 Schedule Class runs from 10-11 am $8/child (Members $5), adults free, pre-register by contacting Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby or 540/654-1851.

PROGRAMS
Sun, March 2, 2 pm Growing Your Own Summer Bouquets Free presentation by Lisa Ziegler of The Gardener's Workshop Farm Includes a Pop-Up Shop. Learn how you can produce a full season of gorgeous cut flowers! If you can dedicate a small flower bed (3' x 10') for use as your cutting garden, then you can follow Lisa's recommendations for easy soil preparations, variety selections, organic methods, and harvesting practices to produce a bounty of flowers to fill your home and even share with friends. This talk is based on the speaker's book, The Easy Cut-Flower Garden. Sunday, March 9 Stafford Treasures from the Attic 1-4 pm Area residents are invited to bring historical items associated with Stafford County for identification and recording by officials of the Stafford County Museum. The Stafford Museum and Cultural Center does not desire to obtain these items. They are only interested in recording the tales they tell. Of particular interest are: pre-1965 photos, business ledgers, journals/diaries, postcards, letters, furniture, and items "dug up" in Stafford. For more details email: StaffordCountyMuseum@gmail.com. Co-sponsored by the Stafford County Museum and Cultural Center Foundation and the Stafford County Historical Society.

GRANTS RECEIVED
Grants received for Fannie Roots House Two grants have been received to help with the replacement of the roof of the historic Fannie Roots House adjacent to Belmont. The Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation ($5,000) and the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund of the Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region ($6,000) have provided funds to allow the installation of a period-appropriate wood shingle and metal roof on the 19th century cottage acquired by Belmont in 2008. The work should be completed by this summer.

Michelle Crow-Dolby

Education and Communications Manager
Newsletter Editor
Museum main number: 540/654-1015

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Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont was the home and studio of prominent portraitist and American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) from 1916 until his death. The 18th century Georgian mansion, outbuildings, and formal gardens were modified and expanded to serve as an elegant country retreat for the artist and his wife, who had left their longtime European home at the outbreak of WWI. Melchers was one of the most respected artists of his generation. Upon Corinne Melchers' death in 1955, the property and all its contents were deeded to the Commonwealth of Virginia, making Belmont one of the most complete and authentic artists' homes in America.

Administered by the University of Mary Washington, the museum is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, is a National Historic Landmark, and is included in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's Historic Artists' Homes and Studios consortium.