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New Acquisition
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Furlough signed by James Monroe
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On February 17, 2012, the museum announced the acquisition of an important document, a furlough signed by then-Major James Monroe at Valley Forge in February of 1778. This is believed to be the earliest-known example of Monroe's signature on an unofficial document.
The furlough, a pass allowing a soldier to leave his regiment, was issued to Second Lieutenant John Wallace, Jr. Wallace served in the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, part of the division commanded by General William Alexander, Lord Stirling. Monroe, only 19 years old at the time, was Stirling's aide-de-camp.
We want to thank the Friends of the James Monroe Museum and the following donors for making acquisition of this document possible: Paul M. Jones Revocable Trust; Stewart Jones Charitable Trust; Clan Munro Association, USA; Champe and Mary Randolph Corbin; Mrs. Mary Alice Regier Hoes; Charles and Mary Wynn McDaniel; Mrs. Rita M. Stone; and Judge Jere M. H. Willis, Jr. and Mrs. Barbara Willis.
Read an article from the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star about this acquisition.
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Women's History Month Lecture
 Join us on Tuesday, March 20, at 7 p.m., for "Women and Politics in the Era of the American Revolution!" Noted historian Rosemarie Zagarri, professor of history at George Mason University, will deliver this free lecture as part of UMW's celebration of Women's History Month.
Zagarri will discuss the important role women played in the achievement of Independence despite their formal exclusion from politics. She'll also talk about the changing meaning of "women's rights" during the time.
The lecture is co-sponsored by the UMW Department of History and American Studies and the UMW Women's and Gender Studies Program. It will be held in the Great Hall, Woodard Campus Center. A reception will follow.
Download the event flyer.
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James Monroe Moves in to Governor's Mansion
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James Monroe, attributed to Rembrandt Peale
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On February 16, the museum's famous portrait of James Monroe, attributed to Rembrandt Peale, was installed in the state dining room of the Virginia Executive Mansion.
The painting has been loaned to the Mansion for two years to celebrate the bicentennial of the building. In February of 1811, during his fourth term as governor, Monroe signed the legislation that authorized the construction of the Mansion, so this loan is a fitting commemoration!
Read our press release about this loan.
View a slideshow documenting the installation of the painting.
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Membership Appeal
 2012 marks the 85th anniversary of the museum's founding and has already seen two exciting developments: the acquisition of a document representing the earliest-known example of James Monroe's signature, and the important loan of the Rembrandt Peale portrait of Monroe to the Virginia Governor's Mansion.
In recognition of this milestone year, we are running a special membership appeal. We are asking each member of the Friends of the James Monroe Museum to recruit at least one new member. As a thank-you, old and new members will be invited to a special reception with the UMW Board of Visitors in November.
We hope you will help us grow our museum family and make 2012 a banner year!
Join or renew your membership online.
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