Trees of Hope

Fredericksburg, VA – Hope House, which provides housing, training and support for homeless mothers and their children, will again host its annual dazzling Trees of Hope display at the Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center this year. The trees, which are decorated by area artists, business owners, clubs, decorators and other talented friends of Hope House, will be on display at the Museum from Nov. 5 through Nov. 14. This year, the signature fundraiser celebrates Hope House’s 25th anniversary serving women from the city of Fredericksburg, and Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, and Caroline counties.

To honor its anniversary, Hope House is bringing back some of its traditions, such as a luncheon and fashion show when the trees are moved at the end of the exhibit to the University of Mary Washington’s Jepson Alumni Executive Center. Also, new events have been added during the Museum exhibit; these include a seminar on holiday decorating and an activity for children to decorate their own miniature trees. Trees of Hope will conclude with a festive gala on Nov. 17 at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center.

Tickets to view the trees, which include Museum admission, are $7 per person. In order to maximize proceeds for Hope House, no Museum discounts will be honored during the span of the event. Tickets for the Trees of Hope Gala are $200 per couple; each ticket-holder will go home with a glittery tabletop tree. Gala-goers who have too many trees may allow Hope House to donate theirs to a worthy cause.

The tree exhibit at the Museum will be open each day, beginning Nov. 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sunday hours are noon to 5 p.m., with extended hours until 7 p.m. on Nov. 14, the final night of the exhibit. A decorating seminar called Tree Tips, Tricks and Techniques will also take place that night from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the $15 admission fee for the lecture will include an opportunity to tour the tree exhibit.

On Nov. 16, the day after the trees are moved to the Jepson Alumni Executive Center, the Ann Crowe Essig Memorial luncheon will take place from 11 to 1 p.m. Featured will be fashions from the downtown women’s shop, CIS, and the children’s clothing store, Mock Turtle.

For gala or luncheon tickets, go to www.hopehouseinva.org or stop by Hope House, 902 Lafayette Blvd. For more information, email treesofhope@hopehouseva.org. For more information about the Museum or additional programming details, please contact the Museum at 540-371-3037, or visit www.famcc.org. The mission of the Fredericksburg Area Museum & Cultural Center is to collect, interpret and present the history and culture of the Fredericksburg region and community.