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December 2014 E-Newsletter
In This Issue
In the News
Welcome!
Thank You
Holiday Closings
Membership
Blog Post
From the Director
Holiday Open House
Museum Shop
Woodland Hike
Preschool Palette
In the News


Welcome!

New Friends of Belmont

July-October, 2014

 

Carol Albright

Beth Baggett

Renate Breakiron

Virginia Burke

Anita Churchill

Ann Haley

Eugenia Heffernan

Barry Isenhour

Dorothy and Paul Jamerson

Raphael Jeu

Shelli and Robert LeMaster

Julia Ann Lucas

Charles Naples

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffery Pierce

Cassandra Rice

Pamela Smith

Susan and Roy Wallace

Robert Waslov

  

Thank You


A special thank you to the Fawn Lake Garden  and Home Club for providing this year's fresh outdoor decorations.

Holiday Closings

The museum and Stafford County Visitor Center will be closed to the public December  24, 25, 31 and January 1. 


Membership


Join or upgrade your Friends of Belmont membership to the  $250 Supporter level by December 30 and receive a 50% off Museum Shop coupon!

Questions? Contact Membership Manager Sarah Palenik at 540/ 654-1842.

Blog Post


25 Years of Holidays The upcoming December 10 Holiday Open House marks the 25th such event that I have overseen as Director [...]
 
FROM THE DIRECTOR

  An Appeal to our Friends and Readers,

 

As you may be aware, the University of Mary Washington, of which Belmont is a part, had its annual state budget  drastically reduced.   

 

Our own operating budget was reduced enough to force us to consider closing to the public for up to two months. To forestall this and other cuts, I am making a year-end appeal.

 

Please consider making a tax-deductible gift or pledge to Belmont. Friends of Belmont will receive my request via mail, but gifts can be made on-line or on site.   

 

Thank you and Happy Holidays! 

 


RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY

JOIN US
Annual Holiday 
Open House 
 

Wednesday December 10
6-8 pm

  

 

The evening offers the chance to tour the house and studio and enjoy the delightful interior house decorations inspired by Corinne Melchers.  

In the Pavilion, members and guests will enjoy light refreshments, harp music by Heidi Stello, a cash bar, and a festive signature cocktail, the Melchers Cosmopolitan, inspired by New York's Cosmopolitan Club. 

 

Admission to the Holiday Open House is free for Friends of Belmont and $10 for accompanying guests and the general public.  Reservations are required at 540/654-1830 or sweinste@umw.edu, by Wednesday, December 3.


MUSEUM SHOP

 

Friends of Belmont receive 20% off purchases during our Holiday Open House and 15% off throughout December

 


WOODLAND HIKE

   

What better way to work off holiday indulgences than our monthly Woodland Hike.

 

Sunday  

December 28, 2pm 

 

Free, Meet outside Museum Shop 

 

PRESCHOOL PALETTE
Children ages 2-5 with an adult enjoy a story, garden walk, hands-on art project, and a visit to the art gallery or historic house. Classes run from 10-11 am.

December Classes:  Dec 9, 11, 12
 

$10/child (Members $8)

Register Online 

Questions?  Contact Education and Communications Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at 540/654-1851.


Education and Communications Manager

Past e-newsletter issues can be
found on our website.

          

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.