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TAKING A TOUR

How would artist Gari Melchers and his wife, Corinne have celebrated the Christmas season in their day? A new exhibit at their Falmouth home gives a hint

By Lisa Ferreira

Date published: 12/15/2007

For the free Lance-Star

IF GARI MELCHERS could come back to Belmont for Christmas, he'd probably still feel right at home.

Seventy-five years after the noted artist's passing, visitors to his Stafford County residence will find it looking, feeling and even smelling much as it did during the holidays he spent there with his wife, Corinne.

The holiday tour at Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont will be more informal and hands-on than usual, according to Michelle Crow-Dolby, Belmont's education coordinator.

"The entire house is filled with their belongings," said Crow-Dolby, "but we also have the archival collection to add richness and context to the tour."

She expects visitors will "leave with a good understanding of who Gari and Corinne Melchers were." Crow-Dolby hopes the personal details of their Christmas and New Year's celebrations from the 1920s will encourage visitors to share their own holiday memories.

The hands-on experiences include sniffing jars filled with baking ingredients similar to those Corinne used in her fruitcakes, strolling from room to room while listening to jazzy music from the 1920s, reading about holiday parties in excerpts from Corinne's diary as well as viewing archival photographs and actual Christmas cards from that period.

Gari Melchers, an internationally acclaimed and commercially successful artist, made his home at Belmont with his wife, Corinne, from 1916 until his death in 1932 . The widow lived there until her death in 1955.

Parts of the 26-acre estate date to the 18th century. The couple restored and expanded it. The property, perched on a hilltop in Falmouth, has breathtaking views of Fredericksburg and the Rappahannock River. Belmont, which is operated by the University of Mary Washington, is both a Virginia Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

The house and grounds are particularly lovely during the holiday season. The exterior of the house was dressed by the Town and Country Garden Club with fresh evergreens accented by bright lemons and clementines. The elegant wreaths, garlands and topiaries outside set the stage for the interior of the house that sparkles with decorations by K² Designs.

Daily "Holidays With the Melchers" guided tours run through Wednesday, Jan. 2. Hourly tours start at 10:30 am. The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 1- 4 p.m. The tour is included in the regular admission price of $10 for adults; $9 for senior citizens and $5 for students. For details, call 540/ 654-1015 or visit GariMelchers .org.

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Date published: 12/15/2007