Coming up at the Museum

Special Events for 2009

Saturday, Sept. 26, noon to 5 p.m. 20th annual Fredericksburg Welsh Festival: This beloved street festival, one of the few of its kind on the East Coast, celebrates President James Monroe's Welsh heritage with food and crafts vendors; live Celtic music by local band Moch Pryderi and national acts IONA & Jodee James; Welsh language and history lessons; Welsh folk tales; and much more. Co-sponsored by the James Monroe Museum and the Welsh Society of Fredericksburg. Admission: $4/adults and $1/children. For more information, visit http://welshfred.com/or call (540) 654-1043.

Monday, Oct. 5, 7 p.m. 21st annual James Monroe Lecture: “The War of 1812: Slaves, Monroe, and Fighting for Freedom,” presented by Gene Smith, Curator of History at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Director of the Center for Texas Studies at Texas Christian University. Reception to follow. Presented by the James Monroe Museum, the Departments of History and Historic Preservation, and the Center for Historic Preservation of the University of Mary Washington. Great Hall of the Woodard Campus Center on the University of Mary Washington’s Fredericksburg campus. Free. For information, call (540) 654-1043.

Friday, Oct. 16, 6 to 8 p.m. Grand Re-Opening Reception: Members of the Friends of the James Monroe Museum, and donors to the costume conservation project are invited to join us to celebrate the long-awaited re-opening of the James Monroe Museum following its 8 month-long renovation project! Guests will have the opportunity to see the improvements and get a first look at the new exhibition, “Our Face to the World: The Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe.”  Refreshments will be served.  James Monroe Museum (908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg 22401).  By invitation only.  For information, call (540) 654-1043.

Sunday, Oct. 18, 1 to 5 p.m. Grand Re-Opening: The public is invited to join us for the museum building’s debut after an 8 month-long renovation!  Visitors will have a chance to see the improvements and get their first look at the new exhibition, “Our Face to the World: The Clothing of James and Elizabeth Monroe.”  James Monroe Museum (908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg 22401).  Free.  For information, call (540) 654-1043.

Saturday, December 5, 9 to 11 a.m., with a repeat session from 12 to 2 p.m. Deck the Halls 2009: Jan Williams, noted floral consultant and owner of Jan Williams Florals, begins the holiday season by demonstrating how to create extraordinary holiday decorations from native evergreens and plants. This year is the 30th presentation of this entertaining and inspiring program, which has become a tradition in Fredericksburg’s celebration of the holidays. Sponsored by the James Monroe Museum. Jepson Hall, Room 100, University of Mary Washington Fredericksburg Campus. Tickets: $22 ($17 for Friends of the James Monroe Museum). For more information, call (540) 654-1043.

Saturday, December 5, 4 to 6 p.m.“A Monroe Christmas” Holiday Open House: Holiday festivities at the museum commence with an open house with period music and light refreshments. Visitors will be welcomed by “President Monroe” and staff will be on hand to interpret the various galleries. The museum will be decorated for the season by a local garden club. James Monroe Museum (908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg 22401). Free. For more information, call (540) 654-1043.