Discovering Antiques and Art
(Allow seven hours)
Among the numerous fine collections of art and antiques in Fredericksburg, the furnishings of Kenmore, Belmont, Mary Washington House, JamesMonroeMuseum, FredericksburgAreaMuseum, and St. James Cottage are among the most outstanding. Combine this six hour tour with an afternoon of browsing in more than 70 antique shops in Old Town Fredericksburg. It’s an antiquer’s delight.
Stop 1. – FredericksburgVisitorCenterfor an orientation film, prearranged guide service, and touring literature. Allow 30 minutes.
Stop 2 – St. James Cottage. The proportions of the fine 17th and 18th century furnishings are especially appropriate to this diminutive house. Chinese and Japanese export porcelains, English chests and tables, and a portrait of Frederick, Prince of Wales, after whom Fredericksburg was named are featured here. Allow 30 minutes.
Stop 3 – Mary Washington House, purchased an improved by George Washington for his mother in 1772, contains many fine 17th and 18th century pieces. Particularly notable are the Virginia-made Ferneyhough chair with doghead arms, a tallcase clock made by Henry White of Fredericksburg, the Washington family Wedgewood wheat-patterned china, and Mrs. Washington’s “best dressing glass”, willed to George at her death. Allow 45 minutes.
Stop 4 – JamesMonroeMuseum. Remarkably, many of the personal possessions and papers of our nation’s fifth President have been passed through generations of his family and today they are on display. Costumes worn by Monroe and his wife in some of the major events of his long public career, fine jewelry, paintings, miniatures, and the Louis WVI furniture purchased when Monroe was emissary to France are on exhibit. Allow 40 minutes.
Stop 5 – Kenmore was built for Fielding Lewis and his wife Betty, the only sister of George Washington. The elaborate plasterwork ceilings and overmantels are especially notable. While the house undergoes restoration, the tour concentrates upon architecture and preservation. Kenmore’s collection of fine Virginia-made furniture is on view in the museum gallery. Allow 60 minutes.
Stop 6 – The historic 1816 Town Hall/Market House (FredericksburgAreaMuseum) houses collections and exhibits telling the story of the history of Fredericksburg and the surrounding area. The Museum exhibits focus on the 18th century, Civil War to the present. Special decorative arts and subject matter tours may be pre-arranged. Allow 60 minutes.
Stop 7 – Belmont was the home of the American impressionist artist Gari Melchers. The 18th century house contains an outstanding collection of European and American antiques, English, Chinese, French and Bavarian china; Oriental and Savonerie rugs, and paintings by Frans Snyders, Berthe Morisot and many others. The stone studio displays the works from Melchers’ prolific career. The formal gardens contain large period rose collections and walking paths through native wildflower fields. Allow at least 90 minutes.
Stop 8. – LibertyTown Arts Workshop is a colorful haven for local artists and craftspeople. Forty artists in twenty studios have joined the gallery and pottery school. You can visit with artists, watch them work, ask questions and shop for original one-of-a-kind works of art. Allow one hour.
Option: Paint your own pottery at Pots and Palettes. You’ll be given a mini-lesson on the spot and provided with decorating tools to make your piece your very own special creation. After you paint your piece, it will be glazed and fired, making it not only beautiful but functional. Choose from dinosaurs to dinnerware…