The Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail
Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail | January 11, 2019
The Fauquier Historical Society will present a Gray Ghost evening, with an exclusive showing of artifacts of Colonel John Singleton Mosby, Saturday January 19th from 6-8pm, in the Fauquier History Museum at the Old Jail in Warrenton.
The event will provide an array of Mosby-related attractions, including the first public presentation of artifacts from Brentmoor (the Mosby House) since the Historical Society acquired the Mosby collection in conjunction with the sale of Brentmoor by the Town of Warrenton to a private owner last year.
The spirit of the Colonel himself will be embodied by long-time Mosby re-enactor Gary Carroll, who will be present in uniform at the Old Jail throughout the evening. The Gray Ghost will discuss his long and exceptional life and answer questions in The War Room. Additionally, acknowledged Mosby authority and author, David Goetz, will be on hand to provide background and context for the artifacts.
Period music for the evening will be provided by Mr. John Tole, a highly regarded musical collaborator with the Rappahanock Historical Society, well known in our area for his accomplished skills and good natured playing.
Light refreshments will be served in the Old Jail’s authentic 19th Century kitchen. Artifacts of Mosby: An Exclusive Showing is a fundraiser in connection with the Historical Society’s intervention last summer to obtain and preserve the Brentmoor collection for the benefit of the public. The Mosby artifacts to be on view are part of a collection assembled by a foundation established in 1998 to preserve Brentmoor, the National Historic Register property once owned by Col. Mosby, and by other significant figures in town and county history. The home – purchased by the town of Warrenton — was intended to become an historic interpretive center, with a principal focus on education, as well as an interactive museum. The collection includes unique and irreplaceable objects obtained over the course of a decade through gift, bequest and purchase.
Although Brentmoor was never permitted to open as a fulltime operating institution, the collection remained stored securely in the old Italianate house on Main Street. When the town council voted to sell the home to a private buyer — instead of to a successor foundation — disposition, even ownership, of the collection in the house was uncertain because the original Brentmoor foundation had folded. To prevent the compound loss of both house and collection, the town and the Fauquier Historical Society agreed to transfer the artifacts to the Society.
While the Society does not have space, nor resources, to display the artifacts, it agreed to take title and possession of the collection, as a steward for the benefit of the community. The Society arranged, and funded, the packing and relocation of the collection to a secure location last August. It received a Kortland Foundation grant to partially cover the move, and a donation of temporary space through the generosity of business leaders Ike and Julie Broaddus.
The Historical Society continues to maintain the collection, and is presently inventorying
and cataloguing the contents. All admission fees and other donations the evening of Artifacts of Mosby: An Exclusive Showing will be applied to costs of maintaining the collection.
The event activities will be principally focused in the 1808 building, but the 1823 building and its current exhibits will be open for viewing, Admission fees for the evening are $15/person and $5/ for children 12 and under, and the snow date is January 26th at the same time.
Please direct questions, or requests to info@fauquierhistory.org.