Cassandra Good, assistant editor for the Papers of James Monroe, wrote an article that appears in the April 2012 issue of the international journal Gender & History. The article, “Friendly Relations: Situating Friendships Between Men and Women in the Early American Republic, 1780–1830,” features research from her doctoral dissertation in history.
James Monroe Museum Acquires Revolutionary War Document
Front of the furlough document
On Friday, Feb. 17, the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library announced the acquisition of a significant artifact from the Revolutionary War. The museum has obtained a furlough signed by then-Major James Monroe on February 23, 1778, at Valley Forge. The furlough is believed to be the earliest-known official document bearing Monroe’s signature.
Support from the Friends of the James Monroe Museum was instrumental in purchasing the furlough from a nationally recognized documents dealer. The effort involved several weeks of negotiation and fundraising.
“Securing such a rare and interesting artifact as this furlough for the museum’s collection would be good news under any circumstances,” said Scott Harris, director of the James Monroe Museum. “To do so with the help of so many supporters is especially gratifying.”
The furlough, or military pass, was issued to Second Lieutenant John Wallace, Jr. of the Sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, an infantry unit in the division of Major General William Alexander, also known as Lord Stirling. At the time, 19-year-old James Monroe served as Stirling’s aide-de-camp.
Donations made specifically for the purpose of buying the document came from the following: 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.
Holiday Events at JMM this Saturday, December 3
Join the James Monroe Museum this Saturday to get in the holiday mood!
Tickets are still available for “Deck the Halls,” the annual holiday decorating presentation by Jan Williams, which will be held in Dodd Auditorium from 9:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday. This program has hundreds of loyal fans and will give you great ideas on how to decorate your home for the season! Tickets are $22 for UMW faculty and staff and include a breakfast of seasonal breads, pastries, coffee and tea. Call x1123 or e-mail auphaus@umw.edu to purchase.
On Saturday afternoon, visit the museum (at 908 Charles Street) for our free holiday Open House from 4 to 6 p.m., before the downtown Holiday Parade. We’ll have hot cider and cookies, and visitors will see the special exhibit “A Monroe Christmas,” which shows how the holidays were celebrated during Monroe’s time.
An added bonus is that a jazz ensemble from the Quantico Marine Corps Band will give a free performance of seasonal tunes in our courtyard at 4 p.m.!
We hope to see you all there!
New Curator at James Monroe Museum
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is pleased to announce the hiring of Mr. Jarod Kearney as curator following a national search that yielded more than 100 applicants. Kearney was curator of the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum from 2007 to 2011. He also has held curatorial and administrative posts with the Rye Historical Society and Hallockville Museum Farm and Folklife Center, both in New York, and the Greensboro Historical Museum in North Carolina. In addition to extensive experience with exhibits and collections management, Kearney has a strong background in museum education and theater.
The James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library is the largest repository in the country of artifacts and documents related to the fifth president of the United States. The museum is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington.
John Pearce Receives National DAR Award
John N. Pearce, former director of the James Monroe Museum and Memorial Library and former professor of historic preservation at the University of Mary Washington, has been honored with the prestigious History Award from the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution. The distinction, given for lifetime contribution to American history, is awarded to only seven Americans each year.
Diana Wallace Perrussel, regent of the Overwharton Parish Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, presented the gold medal to Pearce on Saturday, November 12 at the residence of UMW alumna Judy Barton who nominated her former professor.
Pearce was recognized for his leadership of the James Monroe Museum and his long-standing devotion to preserving history in Fredericksburg and other parts of the nation. Among his vast accomplishments, Pearce worked to restore the 1849 building that houses St. George’s Episcopal Church in Fredericksburg, raised money to preserve the 18th century Masonic cemetery, established the only Welsh festival on the East Coast to honor the heritage of the fifth president of the United States, helped create the James Monroe Presidential Center and served as liaison for the Enchanted Castle site established by Lt. Gov. Alexander Spotswood in the early1800s.
Annual James Monroe Lecture on Monday, October 3
The annual James Monroe Lecture is coming up on Monday, October 3 at 7 p.m. in the Great Hall! This year’s speaker is Susan Kern, professor at the College of William and Mary, and author of the important new book The Jeffersons at Shadwell. Merging archaeology, material culture, and social history, Kern’s talk will reconstruct the fascinating story of Shadwell, the birthplace of Thomas Jefferson. Located in present-day Albemarle County, Shadwell was at the time considered “the frontier.” The Jeffersons’ role in settling Virginia provides a new perspective on Thomas Jefferson and on others – including James Monroe – who extended social and political power across Virginia as they moved west.
The free talk will be followed by a book signing and dessert reception. The annual JM Lecture is sponsored by the Board, Friends and staffs of the following UMW departments: James Monroe Museum; Center for Historic Preservation; Department of Historic Preservation; Department of History and American Studies. Call (540) 654-1043 or e-mail auphaus@umw.edu with questions.
Join us for Afternoon Tea in honor of Elizabeth Monroe!
The James Monroe Museum will be hosting an elegant full afternoon tea in our Memorial Garden on Sunday, June 5, from 2 to 4 p.m., in honor of Elizabeth Monroe, who was born in June. We’ll enjoy lovely harp music from Mary Triola; hear a few words about Mrs. Monroe from Heidi Stello, research associate at the Papers of James Monroe; and enjoy delicious munchies and tea served by costumed members of the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. Catering will be generously donated by Sodexo, Inc.
Our space is limited and reservations are required. UMW faculty and staff can purchase tickets for the reduced price of $10/person. For questions or to make reservations, call JMM Membership and Special Events Coordinator Adele Uphaus-Conner at x1123, or send e-mail to auphaus@umw.edu.
The elegant Mrs. Monroe