March 28, 2024

Harris Shares UMW Museum News on ‘Town Talk’

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris appeared on a recent episode of the Town Talk radio show on WFVA to talk about the James Monroe Museum, Gari Melchers Home and Studio and The Papers of James Monroe. Hear the episode.

Harris Co-Moderates Panel on Monroe Doctrine

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.

President William Howard Taft’s Wild Ride (Prince William Living)

Harris Named AAM Accreditation Commissioner

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.

Harris Published in ‘White House History Quarterly’

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris

University of Mary Washington Museums Executive Director Scott Harris’ piece, “The New York City Death and Burial of President James Monroe,” which traces a series of temporary entombments that ultimately took the fifth president’s remains from New York to Virginia, is included in the new issue of White House History Quarterly – The White House and New York. The issue explores the historical connections between New York City and the White House from the first Oath of Office to the present day. Take a look at the publication.

Harris Discusses UMW Museum Events on ‘Town Talk’ Radio

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 spoke on the Town Talk radio show about the activities and events Gari Melchers Home and Studio and the James Monroe Museum have to offer. Listen to the segment.

Town Talk/UMW Museums (Fredericksburg Today)

Documenting War Experiences: Oral Testimonies and Social Media Archives in Ukraine (George Mason University)

Turdean, McClurken Named to Monroe Board

UMW Chief of Staff and Professor of History and American Studies Jeffrey W. McClurken and Professor of Historic Preservation Cristina Turdean of Fredericksburg have been appointed by Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin to serve on the James Monroe Law Office – Museum and Memorial Library – Board of Regents. “Today I am announcing a new group of appointees to serve the citizens of Virginia by working in my administration and on boards throughout state government,” Gov. Youngkin said in the release. “I look forward to the great work these dedicated individuals will do for the commonwealth.”

UMW Museums Executive Director Scott Harris said the board “provides advice to the [UMW] Board of Visitors on the operation of the museum, on policy issues related to the museum, and on the best ways in which the museum can promote and publicize the life and accomplishments of President James Monroe.”

Harris Gives Updates on University Museums on ‘Town Talk’

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 shared updates on UMW’s Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont in Stafford and James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg on WFVA Radio’s ‘Town Talk.’ Listen to the segment.