April 2014 eNewsletter

In This Issue

Social Media

Woodland Hike

Preschool Palette

Save the Date

Programs

Spotlight Exhibition

Community Give

Grant Received

Social Media
Belmont recently launched two new social media platforms: a multi-author Belmont Blog and a Pinterest Page. Follow us on both for all the latest news and developments.

Woodland Hike
Sunday, April 27 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. April's theme is "Dots!" April 8, 17, 18 Spring 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.

Save the Date
Aug 1-2 Can't get enough of Downton Abbey? We'll be traveling to Winterthur to view the Costumes of Downton Abbey, a wonderful original exhibition of forty historically-inspired costumes from the award winning PBS series. We will be staying overnight at the fabulous historic Hotel du Pont in Wilmington. Our trip will include a visit to Longwood Gardens, afternoon tea at the hotel upon arrival, and our visit to Winterthur the next day. More information will follow in the May newsletter.

PROGRAMS
Sunday, April 6 10 am - 5 pm Spring Open House A free admission day to welcome the community to Belmont. Includes a special illustrated presentation, "Hold onto Your Hat," an overview of the history and function of hats, presented by staff of the Valentine Richmond History Center, 2 p.m. Saturday, April 12, 1-3 pm Beeping Egg Hunt Belmont's third annual Beeping Easter Egg Hunt for visually impaired or blind children and their families. Event Flyer Registration required at 540/654-1851 or mdolby@umw.edu. Sunday, April 27, 2 pm La Brabaconne Gallery Talk Curator Joanna Catron presents a gallery talk on the important loan, La Brabanconne from Brown University.

SPOTLIGHT EXHIBITION
Corinne Melchers is Paying Us a Visit Gari Melchers' portrait of his beautiful wife entitled La Braban�onne will go on view from April 1 through November 2, thanks to a loan by the Annmary Brown Memorial Collection of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. La Braban�onne, or The Girl of Brabant, was painted in 1905 and pictures the artist's wife of two years posing in a quaint costume loosely representative of South Holland. [Read More ...]

THE COMMUNITY GIVE
Get Involved! The Community Foundation of the Rappahannock River Region is organizing a one day, on-line giving campaign to support local non-profit organizations and groups, including Belmont. On May 6, for 24 hours, donors will be able to pledge gifts on-line via a special website that will be created for the purpose by the Community Foundation. Called "The Community Give" The event is intended to encourage both regular donors and new patrons to support local non-profits in a new and exciting format, complete with sponsor-generated bonuses for the most successful organizations that day. More information will be available soon, and we will keep everyone informed about the process and opportunities provided by this community-wide event.

GRANT RECEIVED
Grant received for Fannie Roots House The Marietta M. and Samuel T. Morgan Jr. Foundation has awarded Belmont a $12,000 grant to complete funding for the replacement of the period roof on the nineteenth century Fannie Roots House, adjoining Belmont. Added to earlier awards from the Duff McDuff Green, Jr. Fund and the Fredericksburg Savings Charitable Foundation, the Morgan gift will allow the roof work to be completed this summer.

Michelle Crow-Dolby

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

Receive a print newsletter and have questions?
Call 540-654-1840.

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.