Maryrrr-

That is a BEAUTIFUL dulcimer - there are hours and hours of fun ahead.

Being in Richmond - you are in the heart of mountain dulcimer country - no doubt - there are some fine teachers in your area. PLEASE start out with a few lessons. There are lots of weekend workshops on the eastern seabord - and Wolf Trap, and Williamsburg.

You might enjoy:
http://www.jcrmusic.com/cat.book_beginners.html

http://www.bearmeadow.com/smi/starting.htm

To find a teacher in your area try (use fretted dulcimer for search)
http://www.teachlist.com/

Work hard, have fun, make music.

Sincerely,
Gargoyle