The James Monroe Museum is pleased to announce that Lynda Allen was recently chosen as the institution’s first Public Programs Coordinator. The new staff position is responsible for all of the Museum’s interpretive events, educational programs and facility rentals. Programs are offered on a variety of topics throughout the year, and tours for public and private schools and other groups serve audiences from the Fredericksburg region, Virginia, and a growing number of other states. The Museum’s garden is a popular rental venue for private functions including weddings, parties and other social gatherings.
Ms. Allen was hired in September 2013 as the Museum’s Office and Store Manager, in which capacity she oversaw office administration, trained Museum Guides in admissions and store operations, and oversaw product development and sales activity. During her tenure the Museum Store experienced significant growth in the quantity and diversity of products, and in sales volume. One of her key accomplishments was publication of the Museum’s engaging children’s book, Let’s Visit James Monroe, which highlights artifacts in the collection through the experience of a visiting family interacting with historical characters including James Monroe, Napoleon Bonaparte and enslaved African Americans.
Prior to joining the Museum staff, Ms. Allen was administrator of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fredericksburg and taught at Odyssey Montessori, also in Fredericksburg. After earning a B.A. in communication studies at Virginia Tech and an M.A. in film and video from American University, Ms. Allen worked in independent feature and documentary films as a production manager, music supervisor, producer and director. A prolific writer, she has published eight works of poetry, prose and nonfiction.
Ms. Allen begins her new duties on Aug. 10. Efforts are underway to fill the vacant Office and Store Manager position, which will be advertised later this month.
The James Monroe Museum is a National Historic Landmark owned by the Commonwealth of Virginia and administered by the University of Mary Washington. Founded in 1927, it is the nation’s largest repository of artifacts and documents related to the fifth President of the United States. For hours of operation, directions, and other information, call (540) 654-1043.
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