December 5, 2025

EagleEye

A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff

Harris Discusses ‘Bringing Eliza Home’ on WFVA Town Talk

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Kathryn Willis and UMW Museums Director Scott Harris

Kathryn Willis and UMW Museums Director Scott Harris

UMW Museums Director Scott Harris joined News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to discuss “Bringing Eliza Home,” the remarkable story of the repatriation of Eliza Monroe Hay, daughter of President James Monroe. Harris spoke with local historian Kathryn Willis about the years-long effort to recover Hay’s remains from Paris and return them to Virginia. On October 23, Eliza will be reinterred alongside her family at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, marking a powerful conclusion to this historic mission. Listen to the episode.

Harris Appears on FOX 5 to Highlight UMW Museums & Historic Stafford County

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris

Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris provided an informative take on the historic legacy of Stafford County for FOX 5 in a segment called “In Your Hometown.”

In the piece, Harris highlights George Washington’s legacy in Stafford County and the many historic attractions located there. He also provides information on UMW’s Museums: Gari Melchers Home and Studio and the James Monroe Museum. View the full segment.

Harris Appears on WFVA Town Talk

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Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris

Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to discuss upcoming programs at the James Monroe Museum and Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont. He reviews events like Art After Hours, Sketchy History, History Trivia and Cars and Coffee and bringing Eliza home. Listen to the episode.

Belmont to Host “The Rappahannock Fall Line: An Intersection”

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Sunday, March 30, 2025, 1-4 p.m.

Update: The symposium is now FULL, except for UMW students, but a waitlist has been started in case seats open up.

This is a free, public symposium that explores the ecological, historical, and cultural significance of the Rappahannock River Fall Line, by examining its role in shaping both the region’s natural environment and human history.

More Information and Registration

For further information or to inquire about non-profit tabling opportunities, please contact Gari Melchers Home & Studio’s Education Manager Michelle Crow-Dolby at mdolby@umw.edu.

UMW’s Great Lives Lecture Series Announces 2025 Lineup, New Director

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Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley (left) and UMW Museums Executive Director Scott Harris ’83 have served as co-directors of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series for the past year. On Tuesday, Crawley announced his retirement. Harris, his former student at Mary Washington, will oversee the Great Lives Lecture Series. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus Bill Crawley (left) and UMW Museums Executive Director Scott Harris ’83 have served as co-directors of the William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series for the past year. Photo by Karen Pearlman.

A selection of fascinating figures will be profiled during this year’s William B. Crawley Great Lives Lecture Series at the University of Mary Washington. The 22nd season of the popular series was announced Tuesday evening at a presentation that welcomed over 160 supporters, donors and sponsors to UMW’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

This year, bestselling biographers will shine a light on senator and civil rights leader John Lewis, broadcast journalist Barbara Walters, controversial baseball great Pete Rose, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull, and over a dozen other notable individuals from history and culture.

Yet, of all the larger-than-life personalities highlighted on Nov. 12, the one that drew the most applause was series founder and Distinguished Professor Emeritus of History William Crawley, who announced his retirement. His co-director, Scott Harris ’83, executive director of UMW Museums, will oversee the series – the latest installment of which starts on Jan. 21, 2025 – moving forward. Read more.

Harris Touts Gari Melchers Home & Studio on WJLA News

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris contributed to a WJLA News 7 Road Trippin’ segment titled “Discover the Arts and Culture of Stafford, Virginia, with Britt Waters.” Harris touted Gari Melchers Home & Studio as a great place to visit in Stafford County, along with other local gems. Watch the segment.

Harris Co-Moderates Panel on Monroe Doctrine

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

On Tuesday, Nov. 28, the James Monroe Museum and James Monroe’s Highland collaborated with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) to present a panel discussion, Spheres of Influence: Two Hundred Years of the Monroe Doctrine. The event took place at NARA’s McGowan Theatre and was streamed on YouTube. Executive Director of Mary Washington Museums Scott Harris co-moderated the program with Dr. Sara Bon-Harper, Highland’s executive director. Of all the exhibits and public programs pertaining to the bicentennial of Monroe’s presidency offered by the James Monroe Museum since 2016, this discussion of the Monroe Doctrine addressed what is arguably the most significant and enduring legacy of his administration.

Among the four panelists were Dr. Daniel Preston, founding editor (retired) of the Papers of James Monroe and Dr. Melissa Martinez, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations. Dan and Melissa contributed admirably to what all agree was a thoughtful and wide-ranging examination of the Monroe Doctrine’s place not only in history, but also in contemporary international relations.

James Monroe Museum’s public programs coordinator, Lindsey Crawford worked with participants and the NARA staff to facilitate the event. The JMM assistant director and curator, Jarod Kearney, led a group of the museum’s guides who attended in person. Approximately 150 people were present in the McGowan Theater, with another 750 viewing online.  The archived recording has had nearly 500 views in just the last three days—a number sure to grow over time.

Harris Named AAM Accreditation Commissioner

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University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

Executive Director of Museums Scott Harris has been appointed one of six new accreditation commissioners by the American Alliance of Museums. Read more.

Harris also recently published a piece titled  “President William Howard Taft’s Wild Ride from Washington, D.C., to the Manassas Peace Jubilee” in White House History Quarterly. The article retraces Taft’s harrowing adventure from Washington, D.C., to Manassas, Virginia, for the 1911 Manassas Peace Jubilee. Harris details the many challenges President Taft encountered on this journey including his surviving Virginia’s muddy and flooded roads while making his way from the White House to the countryside to address Civil War veterans gathered at the 1911 Peace Jubilee. Read more.