Gari Melchers Home and Studio has become the second University of Mary Washington-affiliated museum to partner with First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! Museum and Gardens initiative. The national program aims to get kids moving and eating healthy food. The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library joined the national program earlier this year.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio encourages visitors to get moving by walking the mile long interpretive trails that cross the estate through woodlands, fields and along the Rappahannock River. Visitors can explore the estate on their own, or join the Master Naturalist guided tour the last Sunday of every month at 2 p.m. For a map of the trails, go to http://garimelchers.umw.edu/wp-content/blogs.dir/281/files/2011/08/revised-trail-map-for-sign-copy1.pdf.
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library held drop-in yoga classes on Saturdays during May and June and plans to resume the sessions in September.
Gari Melchers Home and Studio is a 28-acre estate and former residence of the artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. The property, which is operated by UMW, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. Located at 224 Washington St. in Falmouth, Va., a quarter mile west of the intersection of U.S. 1 and U.S. 17, it is open daily with an admission charge. The museum also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center. For directions and other information, call (540) 654-1015 or visit the museum’s website.
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, also administered by UMW, is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia. Founded in 1927, it is the nation’s largest repository of artifacts and documents related to the fifth President of the United States. For hours of operation, directions, and other information, call (540) 654-1043 or visit the museum’s website.
