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VMI Products

A 2012 ornament featuring a Ring Figure depiction has been approved by VMI. It will be limited to a quantity of 1000.

VMI Products

A 2011 annual ornament, featuring Martin, Matthew, Luke and John, the Institute cannons, has been approved for production by VMI. It will be limited to a quantity of 1000.

A sterling silver belt buckle will soon make its debut. In the planning stages are a sterling "Rat Trap" with a heart for bait. Also planned are a sterling VMI pennant brooch and a sterling oyster shell with VMI engraved on a pearl within the shell.

Nothern Virginia Handcrafters Guild

Gene's ornaments were juried by NVHG on the 14th of January and he was approved as a member of the guild. Gene is proud of the fact that his work is considered hand crafted by the guild. There is a distinction between hand made and hand crafted but Gene's ornaments have a significant amount of hand work both before and during the manufacturing process. The jury considered the ornaments being created via Gene's drawings from original photo studies of the building. During manufacturing the hand work of engraving, stamping, polishing and plating were also considered. Gene is looking forward to more and better shows this year where he will wear a NVHG name tag and display a NVHG sign.

Monticello Wine Cellar

Thomas Jefferson has been described as America's "first distinguished viticulturist" and "the greatest patron of wine and winegrowing that this country has yet had." Read More: click here

Madison's Trash Heap Yields History

A broken plate found recently at Montpelier in an acient trash pit lends credence to an oral history by Madison family relatives. A Sevres porcelain fragment perfectly matches a plate on loan to Montpelier from Madison family descendants. Read the whole story. read more