For Immediate Release: April 18, 2005
JAMES MONROE MUSEUM TO HOST BLOCK PARTY AND CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL
Fredericksburg, Va. – The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library will host its annual Scottish block party and colonial children’s festival on Saturday, April 30 to celebrate the 247th anniversary of Monroe’s birth and his Scottish heritage. The celebration will take place in front of the museum from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The museum, located at 908 Charles Street, will be open free of charge to the public all day. However, a donation of $2 for adults and $1 for children will be requested to help defray expenses.
The family event will provide an opportunity for children to explore life in colonial times and learn about the Scottish culture. A birthday ceremony, including the cutting of a birthday cake by “Mr. and Mrs. Monroe,” will take place at 1 p.m. Other activities will include Scottish and colonial music and dancing, colonial crafts, games for the young festival-goers, storytelling by “Mother Goose,” Gaelic language lessons and a presentation on the influence of the early Scottish immigrants in Fredericksburg. Camp Flintlock will provide children the opportunity to experience history firsthand with such activities as candle making, sword fighting, and fife and drum lessons.
The event is co-sponsored by the James Monroe museum, the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. In case of inclement weather, the celebration will be held in the Family Room of St. George’s Episcopal Church, located at the corner of Princess Anne and George streets.
The James Monroe Museum, open since 1927, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Administered for the Commonwealth of Virginia by the University of Mary Washington, the museum is open daily, except for major holidays, with an admission charge. For more information, call (540) 654-1043.
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News release prepared by: Ben Dombroski