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January 2014 E-Newsletter

 
A New Logo for the James Monroe Museum!

The James Monroe Museum is pleased to unveil its new logo)! Designed by A.J. Newell of UMW Design Services, the logo features an image of the museum's Monroe bust sculpted in 1929 by Margaret French Cresson (1889-1973). Accompanying the bust is a facsimile of James Monroe's signature from a message to the United States Senate in 1818. It is particularly appropriate that the new graphic is based upon an artifact in the museum's collection, and uses a signature that dates from his presidency.

 

In addition to new art, the logo utilizes the name "The James Monroe Museum." Throughout its history, the museum has operated under a variety of names. When it opened on April 28, 1928, it was called the "James Monroe Shrine" (at different times in the early years the words "National" and "Memorial" were included before "Shrine"). When the museum was given to the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1964, it was identified as the "James Monroe Law Office-Museum and Memorial Library." This is still the official legal name of the museum, but even in the 1960s the facility began calling itself the "James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library."

 

Continue reading. 
 
Letter to Monroe Concerning Move to Fredericksburg Donated to JMM

First page of the Weedon letter.

General George Weedon (1734-1793) was a prominent citizen of Fredericksburg in the Colonial, Revolutionary, and Early National eras. During the American Revolution he commanded the 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment of the Continental Army, in which James Monroe served. On May 20, 1785 Weedon wrote a letter to Monroe in which he described a lot with a house in Fredericksburg that Monroe could buy as a residence. Using military terminology, Weedon described the house as a "snugg[sic] Sentry Box."

 

Monroe did not purchase the property; instead, he and his new bride Elizabeth Kortright Monroe lived in the Caroline Street home of his uncle, Joseph Jones. Later, Weedon built a house of his own on another lot that he called the Sentry Box. This house has been the home of Charles and Mary Wynn McDaniel since August, 1962.

 

General George Weedon
General George Weedon

In April of 2013, Mr. and Mrs. Charles McDaniel donated the Weedon letter to the James Monroe Museum. Following staff research and a

recommendation from the museum's Board of Regents, the Board of Visitors of the University of Mary Washington voted to accept the donation on November 15, 2013.

 

The Weedon letter is currently on exhibit in the Museum's "Making of a Revolutionary" gallery. Curator Jarod Kearney is working with an exhibit fabricator to create a custom case for the letter that will include digital enlargements of key passages.

 

Read a transcript of the letter here.    

"What's in Store" at the James Monroe Museum?
Mug
James Monroe mug
 

To help you through these cold winter days and nights, the James Monroe mug is our featured sale item this month in the Museum Store. It's perfect for curling up with a good book and a hot cup of cocoa on a cold morning! Come by the store and get yours today for 15% off!

 

If you weren't able to visit the store over the holidays, there are a few new items on the shelves you won't want to miss. We have the James Monroe necktie back in stock for $28.00. The tie features a griffin - an adaptation of the dragon on the flag of Wales, representing Monroe's Welsh heritage through his mother, Elizabeth Jones. It makes a wonderful gift for the history enthusiasts in your life - especially those with Welsh heritage themselves!

 

For young ladies who enjoy dolls, we have Revolutionary War-era dress patterns for both informal separates as well as informal dresses. The styles are similar to dresses worn by the ladies of the Monroe family.  The patterns make clothing that fits American Girl dolls and other dolls of that size range (18 inch). We also offer packets of fabric from the pattern manufacturer that can be used to make the dresses. The patterns are $20.00 each and the fabric packets are $14.95.

 

Finally, for War of 1812 aficionados, we recently received copies of the book, Burials of War of 1812 Veterans in the Commonwealth of Virginia from the author, Mike Lyman. The 480-page book sells for $45.00 and includes a CD with an addendum and additional information.

Happy 2014!

Membership and Special Events Coordinator
Newsletter Editor
Museum main number: 540/654-1043

In This Issue
A New Logo
Gen. George Weedon Letter
Upcoming Events
Stay Connected!
Upcoming Events
Calendar
COMING THIS MONTH: James Monroe at War! A first for the museum - a video lecture by museum director, Scott Harris, which we will make available on our YouTube channel. 

Thursday, 6 February: Black History Month Lecture, "Mapping the Trail to Freedom."
7 p.m. in Lee Hall, Room 411, UMW. Free.

Visit our website for more information about these events. 
 

Stay Connected!

 

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The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library, located in historic downtown Fredericksburg, Virginia, is the largest repository in the country for artifacts and documents related to the fifth president of the United States. The museum was first opened in 1927 by Monroe descendants as a place to house their own personal collections, which had been handed down through generations of the family. Eventually, the museum and its extensive collections were turned over to the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the museum is now administered by the University of Mary Washington.

 

The museum belongs to the American Association of Museums, the American Association for State and Local History, and the Virginia Association of Museums. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.

 

 

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