14 05022 famcc spring 2014 newsletter

Museum Views

NewsletterSpring 2014

Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center

Music Fun ShopHistory

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May 10 Spring Tea. Sign up for tea and a flower arranging demonstration 12 - 3 pm with local designer Betsy Valentine. Tickets are $20/member, $25/ non-member. Purchase tickets in The Museum Store or online at www.famcc.org.

May 13 Breakfast with the Curator. Lt. General Ron Christmas, former 9 am President and CEO of the Marine Corp Heritage Foundation, discusses the founding of the National Museum of the United States Marine Corp. A light breakfast will be served. RSVP Required. RSVP to [email protected]. Free. May 22 Evening with an Expert. Historian Anne Miller of the Virginia 7 pm Department of Transportation and Emily Taggard Schricker of HFFI’s Vintage Route 1 and Community Day will discuss the development of Fredericksburg travel and roadway history. Doors open at 6:30 pm. Member’s only reception following. Free

May 30 Sounds of Summer. Kick off the Sounds of Summer concert series 7 pm with Elby Brass in Market Square! Members reception. Free. For additional dates and bands, see page 4. June 4 Silhouette Artist Clay Rice in The Museum Store. Reserve 10 am - 6 pm your appointment with professional silhouette artist Clay Rice in the Museum Store. $42/person for two copies, $10/additional copies. Reserve your appointment today by calling 540.371.3037 x125

June 10 Breakfast with the Curator. Textile conservator Claudia Walpole 9 am will discuss the conservation of historic dress. and other textiles. A light breakfast will be served. RSVP Required. RSVP to apaquette@ famcc.org.

June 19 Evening with an Expert. National Park Service historians and 7 pm authors Philip Greenwalt and Daniel Davis discuss the Overland Campaign and their new book Hurricane of Heaven: Battle of Cold Harbor (Seavas Beatie, 2014). Book signing and members reception to follow. Free.

Cover: Fredericksburg residents in Market Square after filming “FXBG Happy.” Visit www.fxbg.tv to see the video. Image by Khalfani King of FXBTV.

Upcoming Events

Calendar famcc.org

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President’s Corner famcc.org

President’s Corner

Dr. Susan Glasser, Ph.DPresident & CEO

2014 Season SponsorsCity of FredericksburgThe Dan and Gloria Bohan FoundationFredericksburg Economic Development AuthorityNational Endowment for the ArtsDavenport & CompanyHilldrupDonald H. and Beverley C. NewlinMary Jane O’NeillSilver CompaniesStafford PrintingLewis Insurance Associates Merrill LynchPepsiUnion First Market BankVirginia Partners BankKinder Morgan FoundationA. Smith Bowman Distillery

Why am I so excited to join the team here at the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center? In significant ways, the history of this community is the his-tory of our nation. Home to six generals of the American Revolution. A key trans-portation hub including a colonial port for tobacco exportation and the impor-tation of European goods, a staging area for westward expansion, an important rail link between North and South, and a major national highway corridor into the 21st century. The site where Thomas Jefferson drafted the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom. One of the earliest American cities to be sacked, suffer ur-ban warfare, and witness an amphibious assault during the American Civil War. The legacy of the Fredericksburg region is far larger than the area’s actual size.

For the past 25 years, it has been the privilege and the responsibility of the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center (FAMCC) to be the steward of this defining parcel of American history. The FAMCC is uniquely po-sitioned to provide this stewardship because it is the only historic museum in the region that presents 10,000 years of history in state-of-the-art facilities.

Who wouldn’t be excited for the opportunity to lead such an organization?!

I hope you’ll share my enthusiasm by attend-ing one of the many events the Museum’s outstanding staff have planned for you this summer. Browse through this newsletter and mark your calendar for great concerts, information, lectures, and intriguing hands-on experiences.

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The city’s most talked about concert series is back in Market Square beginning on Friday, May 30, 2014. This year the Museum’s enormously successful, Sounds of Summer concert series is comprised of fourteen con-certs every Friday between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Sounds of Summer concerts and access to the museum galleries will be free and open to the public from 7 pm – 9 pm. Join us as we recognize and showcase our area’s talented performing artists and celebrate the diversity of our shared musical past in classical, bluegrass, jazz, rhythm and blues, and rock genres. Last year’s series brought over 4,500 people to Market Square and 125 new members to the Museum! Don’t miss out on a great time— enjoy great music, local food vendors, and a one-of-a-kind cultural experience.

New Features at Sounds of SummerAre you a member yet? If not, what are you waiting for? Members of the Museum receive VIP treatment in the Member’s tent so be sure to join today!

Get a great view of the performances by reserving a seat. Members can reserve seats at select concerts for $10/concert, non-members $20/concert. Price includes seating for two. Reserve your seat today by contact-ing [email protected]!

Concert LineupMay 30 – Elby BrassJune 6 – Andrew McKnight & Beyond BordersJune 13 – Dark Hollow Bluegrass BandJune 20 – The Lonely HandsJune 27 – The Working EffectiveJuly 4 – Fredericksburg Community Concert Band, Scott Ramminger & The CrawstickersJuly 11 – Andy Vaughn and the DrivelineJuly 18 – Joe Vex BandJuly 25 – The BelieversAugust 1 – Steve Jarrell and the Sons of the BeachAugust 8 – Eric Brace & Peter CooperAugust 15 – Tony Craddock, Jr. & Cold FrontAugust 22 – Don Brown’s Soul ExperienceAugust 29 – The Green Boys

Sounds of Summer is Back!

Sounds of Summer famcc.org

Drop by the Members’ Tent to see how you can join.

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Via Colori famcc.org

Join us as we recognize and showcase our area’s talented performing artists and celebrate the diversity of our shared musical past.

Above: Elby Brass performing at Sounds of Summer 2013

Dixie Power Trio at Sounds of Summer 2013.

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Woman Adorned Community Contribution

Exhibitions famcc.org

This spring, visit Woman Adorned: Transcending Time, Transforming Culture for a look at the fresh “new” items on display selected from members of the community. One of the many challenges of hosting a garment-based exhibition is the sensitivity of textiles to light and other environmental factors. As a result, several garments on loan from the Virginia Historical Society and the Valentine Richmond History Center have been returned after their six months on display in Woman Adorned. Since the FAMCC wasn’t ready to close the exhibition, we invited Fredericksburg area residents to submit replacement pieces and share their stories of why the garments are important to them.

We received many interesting submissions, including a Red Cross uniform (dress, jacket and pin) worn by former area resident Jean Jones, on loan to us from her daughter, Robin Coppock. The wife of a Marine, Ms. Jones volunteered for the Red Cross while she and her family were stationed in Hawaii in the 1970s. She received on-the-job training as a dental assistant. Ms. Jones was a stay-at-home mom who always volun-teered out of her love of helping others, her daughter recalls.

Expanding on Woman Adorned’s exhibit of Fredericksburg-based blues trio Saffire—The Uppity Blues Women, are clothing and accessories that belonged to the late Ann Rabson (1945-2013). Ann played barrelhouse style piano on all of Saffire’s records, and also recorded several solo albums. She posthumously received a Blues Music

Robin Coppock with her mother’s Red Cross uniform

Piano brooch worn on stage by Ann Rabson.

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While we wish the FAMCC could accept everything, there are actually strict guidelines and best practices in place to make sure the collection is safe, relevant, and manageable. At the core of the acquisitions process is the Museum’s collections policy, which, among other things, details the scope of the collec-tion. So how does the Museum decide what to accept? It’s not entirely up to the curator or Museum staff. The decision falls to the Collections Committee, a volunteer group of board and commu-nity members. The committee, evaluates the potential objects and votes on whether or not the FAMCC should accession the items into the collection. The committee’s decisions are not based solely on value or interestingness, but also relevance. Do you have something that might fit? If so, contact Director of Collections & Exhibitions, Christopher Uebelhor at [email protected]

Collections famcc.org

Award for her record, Not Alone, recorded with guitarist Bob Margolin. Beyond her acclaimed musical prowess, Ann was known for her colorful stage outfits. The pieces on display were loaned by her husband, George Newman.

Does the Museum Want this?

Most Recent Acquisitions:Re-election poster for Mayor Lawrence A. Davies Gift of Bill & Susan Beck

Physical Geography of the Seas by Matthew Fontaine Maury, inscribed by the author Gift of James and Linda Salisbury

Corporation of Fredericksburg $2 note, ca. 1861 Gift of James Stevenson Peck

Fredericksburg tourist souvenirs, ca. 1940s Gift of R. Lee Wolf

Farmers & Merchants Bank promotional map of Fredericksburg, ca. 1950s Gift of Jeremy and Adrienne Vaughn

Right: Mayoral re-election campaign poster for Lawrence Davies, ca. 1980. Courtesy of Bill and Susan Beck

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Learning about the past can shape your future together. The Museum’s variety of exhibitions and programs that relate to our region’s history and culture speak to every age—from grandparents to preschoolers. Learning together at a young age facilitates cohesion and encourages healthy academic development. Encourage your children, no matter their age, to explore the Museum with you and develop a shared sense of community and culture.

A family membership is an investment. Teaching your children or grandchildren about money can be difficult, but it doesn’t have to be. For an annual membership, you receive 12-months worth of benefits including invitations to members-only events and programs, discounted rates on workshops and special events, and free admission to the Museum. Be fiscally fit and

Four Ways a Membership to the Museum Can Bring Your Family Closer Together

Membership famcc.org

Family fun in Market Square with local artist Mirinda Reynolds.

make an investment that provides benefits and support all year.

Build a legacy of community involve-ment. Share the importance of community involvement by becoming a member of Fredericksburg’s most comprehensive Museum. Join the FAMCC family and help continue a legacy of support for local preservation, interpretation, and community engagement .

Have fun together. Enjoy fourteen concerts in the Sounds of Summer members’ tent, take an art workshop together at a special rate, visit the Museum for free as often as you like or attend any of the 20+ programs that are offered throughout the year. There is always something to do at the FAMCC!

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Membership

New MembersThrough April, 2014

famcc.org

Cooper Financial GroupDr. and Mrs. Jacques RiviereDr. Susan GlasserJannan HolmesMary Washington HealthcareMr. and Mrs. Phillip RidderhofMr. and Mrs. Randy HelfrichMr. and Mrs. Richard HornerMr. and Mrs. Roger LawsonMr. and Mrs. Tim WareMr. and Mrs. William StewartMr. and Ms. Travis MillsMr. Beverly CameronMr. David RamirezMr. Edward RountreeMr. J. Wesley Hall, Jr.Mr. Stoney ChisolmMrs. Barbara DonielMs. Anne Mary CharlesMs. Anne McGrathMs. Ayonda Batts

Ms. Courtney KuzemchakMs. Elizabeth Ann StevensMs. Leandra JacobsonMs. Marcia J. AcquavivaMs. Ronda WorcesterPreferred MaintenanceYanina Angelini-Young

Russ Roberts and other FAMCC members at Sounds of Summer.

Museum members cut loose at Sounds of Summer.

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Discover Downtown

Education famcc.org

Scott Walker giving a Bricks and Boards in the ‘Burg walking tour.

This year the FAMCC is bursting into spring with walking tours, book signings, and even a music video. Dispel cabin fever once and for all and rediscover the beauty and timelessness of Fredericksburg by taking one of Hallowed Ground’s Bricks and Boards in the ‘Burg walking tours or a History of our Homes neighborhood tour. From April 5 – October 11, Bricks and Boards tours depart from Market Square every Saturday at 10 am while Neigh-borhood Tours begin at various locations around the City and start promptly at 11:30 a.m. Join local historians as they discuss the beautiful architecture of the city and some of Fredericksburg’s most in-teresting residents. Tours are $5/adult and $2/student and $2/child. For more infor-mation about these tours please contact Hallowed Ground Tours at 540.809.3918.

Evening with an ExpertWant to rest after your walk? Then plan a visit to our next Evening with an Expert lecture on May 22 entitled Highways and Byways with historians Anne Miller of the Virginia Department of Transporta-tion and Emily Taggart Schricker of the History Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Join us for a lively discussion about the beginnings of Route 1 and I-95 and how the expanding transportation industry transformed Fredericksburg from a rural town to a major tourist and industrial site during the early 20th century.

We will conclude this season’s Evening with an Expert on June 19 with a book signing and lecture by National Park Service his-torians Philip Greenwalt and Daniel Davis. They will discuss their new book Hurricane of Heaven: The Battle of Cold Harbor (Seavas Beatie, 2014). Be sure to check out our Calendar of Events for more upcoming programs and lectures this spring.

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Spring is in the air and parents’ thoughts are turning to summer activities to keep kids engaged and learning during the summer break. This year, the Museum is offering four summer camps throughout the month of July as part of our continuing slate of program-ming for our year-long exhibit Woman Adorned: Transcending Time, Transforming Culture. The theme of this year’s four camps is Wearable Art. During each camp, children will explore how the clothing we put on our bodies reflects and shapes who we are.

Introductory Camps 1 & 2Dates: July 7-9, Ages: 8-10 Dates: July 14-16, Ages: 11-12Theme: Campers will work with local artists to explore a different art form and create wearable works of art.

Farm to Fashion Camp Dates: July 21-23, Ages: 13-15Theme: Campers will visit a local Alpaca farm and learn about raising animals for their wool. Back at the Museum, campers will work with local artist Miranda Reynolds to create a wearable art piece using the wool from their Alpaca farm trip.

Creating Couture CampDates: July 28-30, Ages: 16-18 Theme: Camp teens will work closely with University of Mary Washington’s Theater and Costume Design Professor Kevin J. McClus-key to design and build scaled-model garments, inspired by the exhibit Woman Adorned: Transcending Time, Transforming Culture. Teens will also meet with the curator

Education famcc.org

Summer Camp: Wearable Art

of Woman Adorned and at the end of the camp will display their work as part of the exhibit.

Register for a camp today.

Registration InformationThe cost per camp is $90/member and $115 /non-member. Includes supplies and snacks. Camps run from 10 am-2 pm daily.

Participants may register online at www.famcc.org and in The Museum Store. For more information about the Summer Art Camps, please contact Anne Marie Paquette at [email protected] or 540.371.3037 x 141.

Students doing chalk art at Summer Camp 2013.

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The Volunteer of the Year has consistently shared his/her talents when scheduled, has stepped up in a pinch, and is an integral part of the Museum family. This year, the FAMCC Volunteer of the year is Diane Crabtree. Diane began volunteering with the Museum as a greeter in visitor services and was later selected for a summer internship with the education department. During her intern-ship, Diane utilized her wonderful research and writing skills to complete a chapter of the Trail to Freedom Teacher Resource Toolkit. Diane is often the first person to step up and lend a hand with events as well. During the 2013 Sounds of Summer concert series, Diane spent nearly every Friday night helping prepare the reception, greet guests inside the Museum or work under the Mem-ber’s tent during the concerts. Her support of this event was a valued asset to Museum staff and members. Diane is currently a senior studying anthropology and museum studies at the University of Mary Washington.

Volunteers at the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center do more than give their time to help keep the doors open and events running smoothly. Our volun-teers contribute their talent, their energy, and their spirits to our organization. Volunteers are valued members of the Museum family and their talents are vital to our community. If you’d like to discover your power to make a difference, contact Mary Garrett at [email protected] or at 540.371.3037 x136.

Volunteer famcc.org

Volunteer of the Year

Diane CrabtreeThe University of Mary WashingtonClass of 2014

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Silhouette Artist Clay RiceOn June 4, nationally renowned silhouette artist Clay Rice will be in The Museum Store from 10 to 6 pm. Professional silhouette art is a family tradition for Rice, who is following in his grandfather’s footsteps by creating every masterpiece by hand. We are currently taking reservations for silhouette sittings. The cost is $42/person for two copies, and $10 per additional copy. Frames and copies of Rice’s books Mama, Let’s Make A Moon and The Lonely Shadow will be sold separately. For further information or to make an appointment, please call The Museum Store at 540.371.3037 x125.

The Sketches of Hilda GlasgowAnother form of classic silhouette, the exquisite sketches of fashion illustrator, Hilda Glasgow, are available for sale in The Museum Store on note cards, notepads, and placemats.  Hilda, born in Brooklyn, New York in 1913 to Russian immigrants, studied drawing at the Pratt institute and began specializing in fashion illustration beginning in the 1940s. Her clients came to include many big name Fifth Avenue department stores and fashion magazines including Saks, Lane Bryant, Vogue, and Ladies Home Journal.   After her death in 2004 at the age of 91, her daughter, Liz, discovered many of her original sketches in her Manhattan apartment and had them reproduced on paper products like the ones in The Museum Store.  We are proud to have them as familiar and elegant tributes to twentieth century fashion.

The Museum Store famcc.org

Hilda Glasgow sketchesavailable through

The Museum Store.

Be sure to sign up for a Silhouette sitting with Clay Rice

in The Museum Store.

Remember that FAMCC members enjoy 10% off all purchases in The Museum

Store everyday and 20% off on First Fridays.

Spring Events and Silhouettes at The Museum Store

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With summer just around the corner and downtown buzzing with excitement over the new Main Street Fredericksburg initiative, the FAMCC decided to catch up with Ann Glave, the new Executive Director of Main Street Fredericksburg and former downtown business owner to talk with her about the new project.

So Ann, what is the Main Street program? The Fredericksburg Main Street Initiative, LLC, is an independent, non-profit, profes-sional organization whose sole purposes is to promote, preserve and enhance Freder-icksburg’s traditional commercial downtown in accordance with the practices of the National Trust’s Main Street Program. Our members are the property owners, merchants, and professionals who live or work within Fredericksburg’s Main Street district. As well as residents or nearby businesses who share our mission and vision.

How will the Main Street program affect downtown Fredericksburg and how will it impact the residents of greater Fredericksburg? The Main Street program will enhance pride and quality of life in our downtown. This is accomplished by protecting and utilizing the historical assets, enhancing professional development, growing existing businesses, attracting new business, reinforcing other economic development activities, and public and private collaborations. Better shopping and eating, more social and cultural activities, historical awareness, increased economic and residential growth will benefit all the residents and the region as a whole.

What’s next for Fredericksburg Main Street?The next few months are important for this organization. Vision, goals, and strategies are being determined by the community for downtown. Immediately we are in the data-collecting phase for businesses, relationship building with potential partners, and committees formation. You can get involved by joining one of our 4 committees: Design, Promotion, Organization, and Economic Restructuring.

Want to learn more about Main Street Fredericksburg? Join their mailing list at www.fredericksburgmainstreet.org. Contact Ann Glave at [email protected] or 540.479.1595.

About Town famcc.org

Main Street Fredericksburg

Ann GlaveExecutive Director Main Street Fredericksburg

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Board of DirectorsMr. Thomas Wack, ChairMr. Andre Piñeda, Vice-ChairMr. Douglas Cooper, TreasurerMrs. Liz King, SecretaryMr. Beverly CameronMr. Michael ColangeloMr. Hap ConnorsMrs. Christina DohertyMrs. Mary Katherine Greenlaw Mr. Richard HarrisonMr. William Lynch

Ms. Peggy R. MarshallMr. Charles G. McDanielMs. Nancy MooreMr. John MossMr. Russell H. RobertsMr. Nick SeayMr. George Solley Mr. Nate WoodMrs. Jeanette WoodcockMr. William B. Young

The galleries of the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center are open Monday – Saturday from 10-5 pm and Sunday from 12-5 pm

Museum Information famcc.org

Museum StaffEarl BaughmanFacilities Manager540.371.3037 x138 [email protected]

Darlene DavisAccountant/Office Manager540.371.3037 x132 [email protected]

Ellen Fortunato Museum Store Manager 540.371.3037 x126 [email protected]

Mary Garrett Visitor Services 540.371.3037 x136 [email protected]

Susan Glasser, Ph.DPresident & CEO 540.371.3037 x134 [email protected]

Dan GoldsteinDirector of Development540-371-3037 x127 [email protected]

Tramia JacksonDirector of Education & Public Programs 540.371.3037 x140 [email protected]

Melanie JohnsonDirector of Membership & Special Events540.371.3037 x135 [email protected]

Anne Marie PaquetteMembership & Special Events Assistant540.371.3037 x141 [email protected]

Christopher UebelhorDirector of Collections & Exhibitions 540.371.3037 x129 [email protected]

Address or name change? Misspelling?Remove from mailing list? Mail correction to:Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center1001 Princess Anne StreetFredericksburg, Virginia 22404 or [email protected]

Information:540.371.3037 540.371.1001 fax [email protected] www.famcc.org

PO Box 922Fredericksburg, Virginia 22404

famcc.org

FredericksburgArea Museum &Cultural Center

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