Charitable Giving Opportunities

The support of private donors is vital to the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center’s ability to fulfill its mission. The Museum gladly accepts gifts in the form of cash, stocks / securities, real estate holdings and more. Your tax advisor can inform you of potential tax benefits.

Please explore the following options to discover the giving opportunity that matches your philanthropic interests.

If you would like to make an online donation through PayPal, please follow the "donate" link below.  You do not need a PayPal account to donate.  All donations are acknowledged by mail within two weeks of submission.  If you have any questions about online donations, e-mail us.

Banking on History Expansion Campaign

In January 2004, the Museum initiated plans for expansion and acquired the former First Virginia Bank building conveniently located across the street from our existing site in downtown Fredericksburg’s historic Town Hall / Market House and Market Square. This expansion has provided an opportunity to renovate and adaptively re-use another architectural treasure, as well as to add seven new permanent exhibits and more thoroughly tell the story of the greater Fredericksburg community’s contributions to America’s rich heritage.The additional space also provides a Learning Center for our expanded student and adult workshops, additional retail space, consolidated administrative offices, and secure collections storage.

GWWO, Inc. was contracted as the project’s architectural firm, and Quatrefoil, Inc., was selected as the exhibit design firm. Construction renovations began in July 2006, and exhibit fabrication and production began the following summer. The Museum’s expanded facility is expected to open in fall 2008.

The Banking on History Expansion Campaign was launched in May 2004. The Museum received a generous $1-million lead gift, and 100% of our Board of Directors committed to the campaign by collectively contributing nearly $1-million.The Museum’s expansion represents a joint investment being made by Fredericksburg area residents, private foundations and corporate supporters, as well as our local, state and federal governments. The project has garnered support from such prestigious agencies as the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Kresge Foundation.

To date, the Museum has raised approximately 85% of its campaign goal of $12-million.We need your help to reach our goal and finish our campaign by year’s end! We invite you to be part of this important milestone in the Museum’s history by giving to the Banking on History Expansion Campaign today.

Donate Now

Gifts to the Banking on History capital campaign are generally unrestricted for use and divided in the following manner at the Museum’s discretion, unless otherwise specified by the donor: 70% construction; 10% campaign operations; 20% endowment.

Endowment

Would you like your gift to grow and help provide for the Museum’s future? Give to the Endowment Fund and help ensure that Fredericksburg area history will be preserved for generations to come.

Annual Fund

Your contributions to our Annual Fund support the operating costs associated with all areas of the Museum. Match your giving interests to one or more of the following to help us continue fulfilling our mission.

Educational Programming for Students and Adults

Exhibitions

General Operations

Planned Giving Opportunities

Be part of a special group of friends who have included the Museum in their wills. If you would like to notify the Museum of your bequest, please contact Edwin Watson at (540) 371-3037 x134.

A Path to History Program

In fall 2007 the Museum began a new program that offers the community a chance to participate in the making of local history. For a donation of $200, you can have your name, or that of someone you would like to honor, engraved on a brick that will be placed in a path surrounding the Museum’s new facility.The brick sidewalks guide our visitors inside the Museum to learn more about the stories connecting our past to our present. With your contribution to A Path to History, your personal history and memories can become part of our community’s larger story.

Your gift to the Museum will support our efforts to preserve and share the Fredericksburg area’s history and culture. It is this dedication to the long term sustainability of our community that you can be part of today.

There is no end date for a brick purchase. Placement of bricks is on a first come, first served basis. Please download an order form and reserve your place in history today!  To download an order form, click here.

Adopt an Object, Save the Past

The Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center is honored to be entrusted with the stewardship of so many historic objects that help tell the stories of our community’s past. Several of the objects in our collection are significant to the Nation’s history as well. In addition to collecting, interpreting and exhibiting these treasures, the Museum protects and cares for them by working with a team of professional conservators. Because objects come to the Museum’s collection in a variety of conditions, some must be cleaned, restored or stabilized before they can be safely stored or exhibited. You can partner with the Museum in saving the past by sponsoring one or more of the following conservation projects:

Cleaning of the Johnson Gun Collection $1,000.00

Cleaning and repair of child’s Zouave uniform, Civil War period $1,182.00

Cleaning and repair of a Confederate First National flag $950.00

Cleaning of painting of Warren Slaughter $1,490.00

Frame repair of Warren Slaughter painting $1,150.00

Cleaning of painting of Mrs. Warren Slaughter $1,490.00

Frame repair of Mrs. Warren Slaughter painting $4,580.00

Repair of neon on Central Lunch sign $1,140.00

Cleaning of World War I aviators cap and goggles $725.00

Cleaning of John Elder painting $1,200.00

Cleaning and repair of late eighteenth century arch $3,675.00

Repair of local slave document, nineteenth century $1,000.00

Please contact the Museum’s curatorial staff for more information: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Other Ways to Give

You might also consider adding to the Museum’s permanent collection or strengthening our fundraising efforts through the donation of objects or vehicles. Please contact us if you are interested in any of the following potential means of supporting the Museum:

Donate objects deemed by the Museum to be relevant to its mission and collections

Donate art, antiques and collectibles deemed appropriate for auction by the Museum

Donate a new or used vehicle