The Weems-Botts Museum in Dumfries has been chosen as one of 10 small museums in the state for a pilot program through the Virginia Association of Museums to help it take care of its collections.
“We’re very excited about being selected, as our collections cover a variety of materials, uses and time periods from Colonial through modern,” said Emma Young, administrative assistant for Historic Dumfries, Virginia Inc., which manages the museum.
The materials include metals, textiles and pottery. The uses include clothing, tools and artwork.
The 250-year-old museum was named after Mason Locke Weems and the man to whom he sold the house in 1802, Benjamin Botts.
Weems briefly owned and used it as a bookstore. He popularized the life of President Washington, including the story about Washington and the cherry tree.
Botts is most noted as a member of the defense team in 1807 for Aaron Burr’s treason trial. After several turnovers the property came into the possession of the Merchant family, which is said by many to be haunting the museum building. They owned the property from 1869 until 1968.
After the history of the building was discovered, the Town of Dumfries bought it. Historic Dumfries Virginia, a membership non-profit, runs it as a museum. It opened in 1975.
Funding for the pilot program originated with the Institute of Museum and Library Services through a “Connecting to Collections Statewide Planning Grant.”
State museum staff recently visited Weems-Botts, where they toured the exhibits and collections storage areas.
They will soon provide Historic Dumfries with a report to include a prioritized list of recommended low-cost steps to improve collections care and management.
“As a small museum supported by members, we need expert advice but can rarely afford it,” Young said. “Not only is this initial assessment free but the subsequent report will provide low-cost recommendations ensuring we can implement improvements to storing and displaying our important artifacts.
“We’re hopeful this will lead to further program assistance as well, such as intensive staff training in Collections Management.”
Staff writer Aileen Streng can be reached at 703-878-8010.
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