This month’s featured artifact is a pocket telescope, or spyglass, made of rolled bronze sheet and polished glass lenses. Known as a “three draw” because of three extensions (in addition to the main body), the pocket telescope works by incorporating a larger lens, known as the “objective lens,” on the far end with a smaller lens or “eyepiece” on the narrow end. The observed object is magnified and focused by pulling the extensions and adjusting the length as appropriate. The main body of this telescope was probably originally bound in leather, as was common at the time. Family tradition states that it belonged to James Monroe. There are no identifying marks, but the precisely cut detailing on the rings at the extension joint is similar to telescopes being produced in England at the turn of the 19th century.
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The importance of a telescope during scouting missions is underscored in one of James Monroe’s letters to James Madison just days before the burning of Washington. In an August 20, 1814 letter he laments the lack of “glass” to properly view the enemy:
“The enemy landed yesterday at Benedict, & had advanc’d their pickets, within a mile & half of that mill, for security only. From a height, between that mill, and the Patuxent, I had a view of their shipping; but being at the distance of 3 miles & having no glass, we could not count them.”
Come see the pocket telescope currently on exhibit in our Orientation Gallery!
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Friday, July 6, 6:00-8:00 PM
First Friday - History Trivia Night
Location: James Monroe Museum
Join us for The James Monroe Museum’s
History Trivia Night featuring Celebrity Quizmaster James Monroe (James G. "Jay" Harrison III).
Since 1987, Jay has regularly portrayed James Monroe from soldier to statesman to diplomat to 5th United States President, in approximately 200 living history programs.
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History Trivia Night features three rounds of questions, with each round focused on different historical topics (not limited to presidential trivia). Bring your own team, join one at the program, or be your own one person team!
Admission, participation, and snacks are free. There will be a cash bar and a 50/50 raffle.
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Mark your calendar for our First Friday Sketchy History and History Trivia Nights all summer long!
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Friday, August 3, 6:00-8:00 PM
First Friday - Sketchy History
Location: James Monroe Museum
Join us for The James Monroe Museum’s version of Win, Lose or Draw™ on the First Friday of August! Practice your drawing skills and review your history books for an evening of fun team play. Categories used in the game are Historic People, Historic Objects or Documents, Historic Events, and Historic Places. Bring along a team or join one at the program. Free and family-friendly. Snacks provided, cash bar.
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If you were unable to attend one of our lectures or special presentations, like our
Presidents' Day Presidential Conversation between James Monroe and James Madison, you can still enjoy them on our
YouTube channel!
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James Monroe T-Shirts
Now that summer has arrived and your winter clothes are packed away, it’s the perfect time to pick up a James Monroe Museum t-shirt! They are available in an assortment of colors and sizes from youth large ($14.00) to adult XXL ($16.00). They are also very educational gifts, featuring the extensive accomplishments from James Monroe’s lifetime of public service! Help us share the legacy of James Monroe by wearing this fun, educational shirt.
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A few of the many milestones of James Monroe's life found on the T-shirt:
· Fifth President of the United States
· Monroe Doctrine
· Era of Good Feelings
· Missouri Compromise
· Louisiana Purchase
· Governor of Virginia
· And more!
We look forward to seeing you in the James Monroe Museum Store!
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Virginia History Trails App
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Are you looking for a way to add some new stops to your summer vacation in Virginia this year? There's a new, fun, and easy way to explore history from wherever you are in Virginia!
On May 14, Virginia’s 2019 Commemoration,
American Evolution
, and Virginia Governor Ralph Northam announced the launch of the
Virginia History Trails mobile app
, which includes the locations and descriptions of more than 400 stories and 200 historic sites, as well as 20 thematic trails across the Commonwealth. The app content was curated by the Library of the Virginia and Virginia Humanities.
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Virginia residents and history lovers can uncover the incredible events, figures, and moments that influenced the evolution of today’s America. Virginia History Trails is an easy-to-use app that puts 400 years of Virginia and American history at your fingertips. Using your phone’s GPS feature, Virginia History Trails turns your immediate surroundings into a live history lesson. You can click anywhere on the map under the “Near Me” category and instantly get an in-depth description of dozens of sites in your vicinity, along with explanations of their importance to Virginia’s history. The example shown displays the sites you will find in Fredericksburg using the Near Me option, including The James Monroe Museum!
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Museum Rentals
Were you aware that the museum garden is available to rent for small gatherings such as rehearsal dinners, anniversary parties, family reunions, and even small weddings? You can find out more about renting the space
here
.
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Museum Hours
Enjoy the lovely weather in the garden at the James Monroe Museum! Bring along a lunch when you're visiting the museum and enjoy it in a tranquil setting! The James Monroe Museum is open Monday-Saturday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Sundays 1:00-5:00 PM. Come on by!
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The James Monroe Museum
908 Charles St.
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
540-654-1043
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