Let’s Talk FAM is back with a special episode all about the Rappahannock River and the upcoming Riverfest celebration! Kelli sits down with Kylie Thomson, Curator of Collections at the Fredericksburg Area Museum, and Cat Carter, Director of Development at Friends of the Rappahannock, to talk about:

• Friends of the Rappahannock’s 40th anniversary

• Why the Rappahannock River was named one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers

• What makes Riverfest so important (and how it supports restoration, advocacy, and education)

• The exciting collaborations between FAM and FOR

Tune in for stories, celebration, and a look at how history and the environment connect in our community.

Learn more about Riverfest and FOR at riverfriends.org
Learn more about FAM at famva.org

Music Credit: "City Beats Retold" by Stocktune, used with permission.

In 2026, the United States will commemorate 250 years since the American Revolution and the founding of our nation. Here in Fredericksburg—a city deeply connected to that history—plans are already underway to mark the milestone through a community-wide initiative called FXBG250.

In this episode of Let’s Talk FAM, host Kelli Carneal is joined by President & CEO Sam McKelvey, Director of Programs & Interpretation Clarissa Sanders, and Curator of Collections Kylie Thomson to discuss how the Fredericksburg Area Museum is preparing for this historic anniversary. From new exhibitions that spotlight untold stories to inclusive programming and city-wide partnerships, you’ll hear how FAM is helping Fredericksburg connect the past to the present—and inviting the entire community to be part of it.

Music Credit: "City Beats Retold" by Stocktune, used with permission.

Join us for a whirlwind tour of what’s happening at the Fredericksburg Area Museum this June!

In this episode of Let’s Talk FAM, Kylie Thomson, our Collections & Exhibitions Coordinator, takes us behind the scenes of current and upcoming exhibits, while Clarissa Sanders, Manager of Operations and Events, fills us in on the exciting summer lineup—including Sounds of Summer, our Juneteenth celebration, and Pride at Market Square. It’s your all-access pass to everything FAM has in store!

Music Credit: "City Beats Retold" by Stocktune, used with permission.

In this episode of Let’s Talk FAM, we’re celebrating the grand opening of Living Legacies: African American History in the Fredericksburg Area, a powerful new exhibition opening May 30, 2025. Curated by Dr. Gaila Sims, this community-centered exhibition honors the past and present contributions of African American changemakers in our region through artifacts, photographs, and personal stories.Kelli sits down with Gaila to discuss the process behind curating the exhibition, what it means to preserve living legacies, and how working directly with local families helped shape this meaningful project. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how history comes alive through community, collaboration, and care.

Let’s Talk FAM is your behind-the-scenes look at the Fredericksburg Area Museum. Hosted by Kelli Carneal, FAM’s communications and development lead, each episode features real talk with the team and special guests about exhibits, events, and the stories that shape our community.