Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont is the University of Mary Washington’s museum on the Falmouth bluffs above the Rappahannock, and its cars and coffee is the most unlikely venue in Virginia. The university’s event listing: “the second Saturday of each month May-October, 2026 from 8 AM – 11 AM,” at 224 Washington Street, Falmouth, Virginia 22405, in the museum parking lot. The last 2026 date was 10 October.
What it costs
Nothing. The listing says “free and open to the public,” with coffee “available for purchase” and the Visitor Center open. Museum tours, with paid admission, start at 10am, so the morning can end inside.
Which cars
“Event is open to all makes, models and years.” No rules are posted beyond one caution about the ground: “Please use caution when entering and exiting our gravel lot.”
The next season
The 2027 dates had not been published as of late October 2026. The 2025 season ran April through October and the 2026 season May through October, so the first 2027 date is likely the second Saturday of April or May; this page shows 8 May 2027 until the museum posts its calendar. The contact is the museum’s visitor services manager, listed on the university’s event page.
When is cars and coffee at Gari Melchers?
The second Saturday of the month, May through October, 8am to 11am, per the museum’s 2026 listing. The next season starts in spring 2027.
Is it free?
Yes. Coffee is sold, and museum tours from 10am have their own admission.
- Source: University of Mary Washington, Cars & Coffee at Gari Melchers Home and Studio (2026 listing), read 26 October 2026
- Source: University of Mary Washington, Cars and Coffee (2025 listing), read 26 October 2026
- Source: Gari Melchers Home and Studio, read 26 October 2026