Research and Cultural Facilities

Libraries and Research Resources

We offer students the opportunity to undertake individual or collaborative research projects in the pursuit of a well-rounded liberal arts and sciences education. We are proud to provide several excellent research facilities and collections of scholarly materials to support our students and enrich these educational undertakings.

Our Library

Our services are provided at our physical locations on UMW’s two campuses and online at our homepage.

Simpson Library, located on the Fredericksburg Campus, houses the University’s main collection of over 367,000 printed volumes and a Government Resources Depository Collection, as well as the University Archives and Rare Book Collection.

The Hurley Convergence Center is a one-of-a-kind building at UMW— an “academic commons” where a variety of technology, information, and teaching resources come together in an environment that is modern, energetic, and vibrant.

The Leidecker Center for Asian Studies supports interdisciplinary study of Asia, drawing on the expertise of people from across the campus. The Center sponsors an annual lecture series, seminars, and conferences, as well as  promotes academic and cultural exchange.

The University of Mary Washington Galleries present art exhibitions and educational events of interest to the University community and the general public at the Ridderhof Martin Gallery and the duPont Gallery. Exhibitions are brought in from museums around the country, or are drawn from the permanent collection of more than 5,000 artworks. Mid-20th-century American and Asian art make up the largest parts of the permanent collection. Exhibitions of works by art faculty, art students, and senior art majors are held annually.

Owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia, The James Monroe Museum & Memorial Library is the first place to contact to learn about President James Monroe. The facility owns the largest collection of Monroe artifacts, Monroe-related books, and significant archives including 700 letters to and from Monroe and 26,000 other original documents including many focused on the Revolutionary and Federal periods of history. It is a sister institution to the University’s James Monroe Presidential Center (which includes the publishing project, The Papers of James Monroe).

Owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Virginia, The Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont is the former residence of the renowned American figure painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932). The museum consists of the artist’s 18th century home, art studio, and formal gardens. The stone studio and galleries house the largest collection of Melchers’ works anywhere. Located on 26 wooded acres overlooking the Rappahannock River, the site is a National Historic Landmark that offers guided tours, art exhibitions, a museum shop and rental facilities for conferences and weddings.