Fredericksburg will be offering a wide variety of photographic opportunities on the day our visit. We’ll start our trip with Cars and Coffee held at the Gari Melchers museum. This is a free monthly event held on the second Saturday of each month between 8am and 10am where members of the community drive in and display their antique cars. Admission to the Gari Melchers museum costs $12, but you may find more subjects around the nearby grounds. Stay as long as you like, but consider joining us at our next stop.
Even if cars aren’t your thing, everyone is welcome to meet up a short drive away at Chatham Manor. The Georgian-style mansion stands overlooking the Rappahannock River and the city of Fredericksburg. Even though the interior of the mansion is undergoing renovations, the grounds of the former Union headquarters and field hospital offers today’s photographers plenty of colonial style gardens and exhibits.
As lunch approaches and if there is interest, we can meetup in Old Town Fredericksburg for a bite to eat before heading home. When visiting downtown, you will find colorful storefronts and other historical hot spots including the Hugh Mercer Apothecary Shop, the Rising Sun Tavern, and the Mary Washington House and Gardens. Each of these museums costs $10 to enter ($8 senior/military) individually or for $24 you can visit all of them. Feel free to explore these resources on your own.
Equipment and Notes:
* This field trip should offer lots of opportunities to capture subjects with a typical mid-range lens. Bring a longer lens if you want to capture details in people or landscapes. A macro lens may also be particularly useful in the gardens at Chatham Manor.
* Flash, tripods, and monopods are permitted outdoors provided they stay out of the garden beds and do not present a danger to others.
* Most or our walking will involve flat gravel and paved paths. Wear comfortable walking shoes.
* Restrooms are available starting at 9am in the Chatham Manor’s Visitor Center.
* Parking in downtown Fredericksburg should cost no more than $8 if you decide to go.
When:
Saturday, May 11, 2024 from 8:30am – 11:30am
(Rain date: Sunday, May 12, 2024 from 8:30am – 11:30am)
Where:
We’ll meet at 8:30am outside the Visitor’s Center lot at Gari Melchers Home and Studio. You can access the facility from Washington St. which intersects with the Southbound lanes of Warrenton Rd (US Rt.17 Business).
Directions:
Take 95-South to exit 133A, US Route-17 Business / Warrenton Rd. South
Washington Street will be on your right in about 1.5 miles. If you reach US Route-1, you’ve gone too far, turn around and make another attempt.
224 Washington StreetFalmouth, VA 22405
We hope you can join us!
Rena Schild and Steven Glintz
Field Trip Coordinators 2023-2024