What can you buy with just 75 cents today?
On Sunday, Nov. 15, the handful of change will buy admission to Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont in celebration of its 40th anniversary of its opening to the public. The museum will offer admission for open house tours of the property at the 1975 prices of 75 cents for adults and 50 cents for children ages 18 and under.
Visitors will be able to roam the house and studio at their own pace, with docents in place to provide information and answer questions. The property includes restored formal gardens, several woodland hiking trails and a delightful museum shop filled with books, art supplies and unique gifts.
The historic property was donated by Gari Melchers’ wife, Corinne, to the Commonwealth of Virginia following her death in 1955. The home included all of its furnishings and collections of artworks. The University of Mary Washington became responsible for the Gari Melchers Home and Studio in 1960, lack of funding prevented the opening of the site to the public until the fall of 1975.
When the museum first opened, it operated only three afternoons a week with volunteer tour guides. Now, 40 years later, the museum has grown into a premier regional cultural attraction open year round with a full professional staff and a busy slate of exhibitions, educational programs and public activities. Gari Melchers Home and Studio also serves as the official Stafford County Visitor Center.
For more information, call 540-654-1015 or visit garimelchers.umw.edu.
