What Do People Collect
Over the past year the Museum's collection has seen a big increase in donations. Milk bottles from the Farmer's Creamery, a World War I uniform worn by one of Fredericksburg’s mayors, Josiah P. Rowe, Jr., a 19th century writing desk that was most likely used by another of Fredericksburg's mayors, iron rails and a train lantern from the RF&P railroad, a drop leaf table that survived the Battle of Fredericksburg and a personal recording made at the local USO by an American soldier during World War II - these are just a few of the many objects donated to the Museum in the past year.

All of these objects have a story to tell. Some are interesting and tell of an exciting event in our past. Others are more ordinary and speak to the every day life of the people of Fredericksburg. Take, for example, the drop leaf table mentioned earlier. At first glance, this is a rather ordinary table, made in Alexandria in the first half of the 19th century for a local family. It is not ornate, does not have beautiful inlay or show obvious signs of use. There is, however, a large, rough gash down one of the table's leaves. One might wonder why we would want a table so obviously damaged. Family legend tells us that the gash was made by a Union shell that crashed through the walls of the family's home on Caroline Street during the battle of 1862. This glancing blow left not only a deep scar on the table, but a great story about wartime Fredericksburg as well.

The things people save, like this damaged table, never cease to amaze me. I never know what is going to walk in the door next. From simple postcards to fine silver, our collection is so broad that it truly does represent all aspects of local history.

The citizens of Fredericksburg have been most generous in their donations to the Museum. This is a trend that I hope will continue as we work to renovate and open our new building. For while we may have an outstanding collection, unrivaled locally in scope and depth, it will never be complete. We will always be looking for that next special object, that unique "find" that helps preserve our rich history.
Thank you to Mrs. Frances L. Jones who donated the drop leaf table to the Museum.
- Mary Helen Dellinger, Vice President & Curator World War I uniform worn by Josiah P. Rowe, Jr.

Confederate Flag
The Museum currently has on display an original Confederate flag that had been taken from our city during the Civil War. It was truly a proud moment when the flag was returned to Fredericksburg and entrusted to us for public display. Click here to find out more

Plantation Account Book
For the past ten years, the staff of the Museum has worked to convert all of the objects on loan to the collection into permanent gifts. This has not always been an easy task, but our efforts have been well worth it. In 1992 there were over 40 objects on loan to the Museum. Today that number stands at 29.

One of our most recent additions to the collection is the gift of an 18th century plantation account book. This book was originally loaned to the Museum in 1991. Despite changing owners it remained on loan, and on display, for over ten years. The owners recently decided that it was time to make a permanent gift of the book to the Museum. We were very excited to hear this and are pleased to continue displaying the book in our exhibit on 18th century Fredericksburg.

The account book covers the years 1758-1783, making it the earliest record we have of life on a local plantation. The book has a simple burlap cover and is marked "R. Goodloe, 1758." It is what's inside though that makes the book so fascinating. Pages and pages of detailed activity for the Goodloe plantation provide a wonderful glimpse of life in colonial Fredericksburg. Men's shoes, barrels of corn, brandy, leather, tobacco, small toothcombs, hats and bridle bits are just a few of things purchased or sold by the Goodloes. Costs were recorded using the English system of pounds sterling that was still in use at the time, reminding us that when this plantation began operation Fredericksburg was still part of the royal colony of Virginia.

Records such as this one are important to our understanding of life in colonial Fredericksburg. We are very fortunate that this book was saved and donated to the Museum. Future generations are now ensured the opportunity to see something that connects us to our distant past.

Our sincere thanks to the T. C. Goodloe Estate for their generosity in donating this book. Your support of the Museum's collecting efforts is greatly appreciated.