GARI MELCHERS HOME AND STUDIO AT BELMONT
540-654-1015 www.garimelchers.org
224 Washington Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22405
DIRECTIONS: From I-95, take exit 133 (Falmouth-Warrenton) follow U.S. Rte 17 (toward Falmouth) 1 1/4 miles to State Rte 1001 (Washington St.) turn right to Belmont.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: The richly furnished country house and working studio of American impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) can be seen as they appeared in the 1920s. Explore the colorful formal gardens and wooded hiking trails of the artist's 27-acre retreat. Enjoy special exhibitions of the art of Melchers and his contemporaries. We invite you to consider the Gari Melchers Home and Studio as the setting for your wedding, reception, bridal luncheon, evening event or business meeting. The stunning Studio Pavilion at Belmont, situated in an elegant woodland setting, is connected to the artist’s original studio building and opens onto the estate’s gardens. 2 of 3 studio galleries are wheelchair accessible.
PARKING: Located in unpaved area in front of estate. Pick-up and drop-off in front of estate.
TYPES OF PATHS TO OR AROUND ATTRACTION: The facilities are linked by a concrete walkway. Paved, gravel and flagstone. Length of paths vary.
ENTRANCE: Located front of gift shop, house and studio. Ramps provided. 1 entry door, 38 in. wide, opens in with knob handle located 30 in. above floor.
PUBLIC REST ROOMS: Located in Visitor Center and Pavillion. Rest rooms in studio are not wheelchair accessible. Doors 35 in. wide, open in. No turns to enter. Accessible stalls in gift shop, with doors 35 in. wide, and handrails. 19 in. toilet seat height, 9 in. between commode and wall. Sink height 35 in. Wrapped pipes. Accessible stall checked regularly for obstructions. Unisex or companion assisted rest rooms available. Rest rooms in studio are not wheelchair accessible.
SPECIAL SERVICES:
Link to video “True and Clear” the story of Gari Melchers’ career and life at Belmont.
Link to childen's orientation video “A Special Place To Visit.”
For guests with hearing disabilities, open captioned videos are available. Link to captioned video. Tours can be offered to the by contacting the Education and Communications Manager at 540-654-1851. Link to email your request.
For guests with visual disabilities, tours can be offered by contacting the Education and Communications Manager at 540-654-1851. Link to email your request.
For guests with mobility disabilities, there are several folding chair/walking sticks are available to borrow in both the historic house museum and studio.
Link to upstairs house video is available to show visitors who cannot access the second floor.
GIFT SHOP: Aisles 36 in. wide. Aisles clear of temporary displays.
FOOD SERVICE: There are four outdoor picnic tables.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Admission fee. Open Nov 1- Mar 31 daily 10 – 4; April 1 - Oct 31, daily 10 – 5. Admission fee. AAA discount. Students 18 years old and younger are admitted free with an accompanying, paying adult, limit two.
The complete tour includes a 12-minute introductory film, a 30-minute docent-led tour. Link to video. The last house tour is 4:30 p.m. during summer hours and 3:30 pm during winter hours. Visitors can explore the restored gardens and grounds on their own.
Several nature trails lead from the garden or fields to the falls of the Rappahannock River or into the woods, following a small stream that runs through mature woodlands. They are open The trails are open 9– 5.
Interpretive markers feature descriptions and photographs detailing historic resources along the trail. The trail is approximately 1 ½ miles long and passes remnants of an old ice pond, the canal that powered mills in Falmouth, a cemetery and a spring. Link to Belmont trails map in PDF format.
There are several outdoor picnic tables for dining or relaxing. The estate grounds are perfect for walking pets, but please keep them securely leashed at all times. Pets (except service dogs) are not allowed in any building.
Due to the historic nature of many of the areas of the property and buildings and the existing terrain, there may be some areas that are not fully accessible to everyone. Efforts have been made to provide alternate experiences that give patrons remote access in these instances.
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