Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission

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VA250

Across the Commonwealth, cities, towns, and counties are commemorating in various ways. From historical sites and museums to events commemorating historic milestones in Virginia history, the American Revolution can be felt in every corner of the state. Explore Virginia’s living history, interactive exhibits, tours, events, festivals and more and discover why Virginia’s history is America’s story! For more information about VA250, visit VA250.

Goals and Objectives

The 250th Commemoration will provide timely opportunities to educate, engage, and inspire Virginians around our history and foundational values and beliefs that continue to be relevant to our lives. Over the next two years, the VA250th Education Committee will work with partners throughout the Commonwealth to accomplish the following goals:

Make History Come Alive
Spark a Civics Renaissance
Celebrate Democracy

Partnerships with schools and educational institutions will supplement primary, secondary, and higher education resources through activities such as curriculum development, learning resources, student academic opportunities, teacher institutes, professional development opportunities, and development of enduring educational assets.

Educational Resources to Consider

We Hold These Truths: The Global Quest for Liberty - With Judge Douglas H. Ginsburg
In We Hold These Truths, Federal Judge Douglas Ginsburg explores the enduring influence of America’s Declaration of Independence. This promissory note for liberty inspired over 100 nations seeking their independence. In the United States, it influenced the abolitionist movement, the Women’s Suffrage movement, and iconic civil rights figures Frederick Douglass and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. © 2023 / 1 hr.
VA250 Collection-Enrich the Virginia History and Civics Standards through linkages to Virginia museums and historical institutions. These institutions will begin the work of making the Standards come alive through videos, pictures, tours, lessons, and artifacts. Begin with the Standards pertaining to the events of the country's founding and Revolutionary War and civics topics.

Current Programming and Ongoing Events

Signature Events are bringing together Virginians, travelers, history lovers, and special guests from the state and nation to join events that celebrate and commemorate major moments of 250 years ago leading up to July 4, 1776.
Mobile Museum-Bring the 250th Mobile Museum to your school and community! A hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels,” the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience titled “Out of Many, One” is housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer that is traveling throughout Virginia and beyond. The mobile museum brings key stories of Virginia’s rich history to schools, museums, local events, fairs, and more, highlighting every region of the state. The VA250 Mobile Museum Experience officially hit the road on January 18, 2025, and the Fincastle Revolutions 250th Anniversary event, “A Salute to Southwest Virginia,” in Roanoke, VA. VA250 Mobile Museum Experience Companion Booklet and Calendar are available on the VA250th Mobile Museum webpage.

Upcoming Events

Declaration Book Club-Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which created the United States. To celebrate the Declaration’s upcoming 250th birthday on July 4, 2026, Monticello is proud to launch Declaration Book Club. Explore the Declaration with short readings, videos, and guided questions that spark discussions of our past, present, and future as one people, created equal. Be part of the conversation.
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day Toolkit (September 2025, annual review)-In honor of the Constitution of the United States, Constitution and Citizenship Day commemorates the formation and signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787, recognizing all who are born in the U.S. or by naturalization, have become citizens. September 17 is designated as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The goal of Constitution Day is to perpetuate the Constitution to each succeeding generation; promote the annual national simultaneous recitation of the Preamble across all of America, especially in the schools; involve all the 50 states in the roll call of states in the order they ratified the Constitution or were admitted to the Union; educate each new generation to the uniqueness and brilliance of our Constitution, the most perfect governmental document conceived by man; and, show the need to protect and defend it to maintain our liberties. Multiple resources and experiences have been cited to support planning educational activities, delineated by grade band.
Reading Revolution (October 13-17, 2025)-In partnership with the VA250 Commission, the Virginia Department of Education is proud to announce the Second Annual Reading Revolution, October 13-17, 2025, leading up to Yorktown Victory Day. The week-long Reading Revolution encourages reading and also seeks to connect museums, public libraries, and communities to our elementary students. As we continue to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution, we invite and encourage parents, community members, museum educators, reenactors, students and staff of high schools, and higher education to take part in the Reading Revolution. Volunteers are encouraged to read to students about the people, places, and events of the Revolutionary era, freedom and democracy, the Constitution, or civic principles that founded this great nation. Use the Reading Revolution 2025 form to declare your participation. Below are some helpful tips to get your Reading Revolution started.
Civic Learning Week (March 9-13, 2026)-Civic Learning Week highlights civic education’s important role in sustaining and strengthening constitutional democracy in the United States. Specific resources and information will be provided to all VA250 partners and schools regarding Civic Learning Week. Civic Learning Week is hosted by iCivics for students, teachers, and communities to use or support iCivics programming.
Virginia History Day-The state affiliate of National History Day, a project-based learning program for students grades 4-12. This interdisciplinary research project helps students develop historical thinking and literacy skills while making the study of history engaging, relevant, and most of all, fun! For more information about the Virginia History Day competition and how to participate, visit Virginia History Day.
National Civics Bee-National Civics Bee® events are hosted in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce in each state. Schools interested in participating next year’s National Civics Bee® should email civictrust@uschamber.com to request more information.
Sail250® Virginia-In June 2026, Norfolk, Hampton Roads, and Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay region will welcome an international fleet of tall ships, military vessels, and character ships to commemorate America’s 250th anniversary. This milestone event, Sail250® Virginia, will include more than 60 ships from 20 countries, bringing 7,000 visiting sailors, officers, and dignitaries to Virginia’s shores.

Sail250® Virginia events are planned to promote goodwill among nations, inspire patriotism and foster interest in American maritime history and heritage. Virgina educators are encouraged to take advantage of the Sail250® Virigina education program which includes three elements – the successful Adopt-A-Ship program, a collection of online maritime resources, and suggested maritime themed classroom projects. Transportation grants will be available to participating schools helping to offset the cost for those schools to visit Norfolk for the June 2026 events.

Please see the information pamphlet on the Sail250 History/Education webpage for more information about the Adopt-A-Ship program and how to get involved. Those interested in involving their school in the Adopt-A-Ship program, please complete the attached Adopt-A-Ship Interest Form and return it via email to Pamela Cook, Education Manager Sail250® Virginia, cookp@festevents.org.
Sail250® Virginia Speaker Series-As the United States approaches its Semiquincentennial, Sail250® Virginia will host a three-part speaker series, highlighting the importance of maritime history from America’s founding to today. These three events, being held in October 2025, January 2026, and April 2026, will feature award winning maritime authors exploring important aspects and events from our maritime past. Each of these events will include a talk followed by a question-and-answer session and a reception with light refreshments. The Sail250® Virginia Speaker Series will be free and open to the public. RSVPs will be required to reserve your ticket, as seating will be limited. Stay tuned for upcoming announcements about the specific authors, dates, and times for 2026. The first of the speaker series is denoted below:
- Tuesday, October 21, 2025, 7 p.m., The Slover-Nathaniel Philbrick: Award winning author and historian, Nathaniel Philbrick, has written numerous New York Times Bestselling books including In the Heart of the Sea, Mayflower, and In the Hurricane's Eye: The Genius of George Washington and the Victory at Yorktown. His most recent book is Travels with George: In Search of Washington and His Legacy. He will be speaking about the Revolutionary War, the Battle of the Capes, and Chesapeake Bay's legacy in the American Revolution. Space for this event is limited, and RSVPs are required. You can learn more and sign up to attend this event.

Previous Programs and Events

Expressions of Freedom Competition-The Virginia Department of Education, in partnership with the Offices of the Governor and First Lady, the VA250 Education Steering Committee, invited students in grades 3–12 to explore and articulate their understanding of freedom as the nation's 250th anniversary approaches in 2026. The voices and artistic expressions of Virginia students on the theme of freedom was celebrated as part of the "Expressions of Freedom" competition and will be preserved in a time capsule to be included in the base of the George Washington Statue in Trafalgar Square.
America 250-America’s Field Trip is a contest that invited students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks. Students were asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?” Additional information about the contest can be found on the America250 webpage and contest flyer. Submissions were accepted until Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET.
Reading Revolution-October 14-18, 2024, leading up to Yorktown Victory Day was designated for the Reading Revolution Week- connecting museums, public libraries, and communities to elementary school students by encouraging reading stories about the people, places, and events during the Revolutionary era, freedom and democracy, the Constitution, or civic principles that founded this great nation. Here are some helpful tips to get your Reading Revolution started!
National Civics Bee-National Civics Bee® events are hosted in partnership with local and state chambers of commerce in each state. Schools interested in participating next year’s National Civics Bee® should email civictrust@uschamber.com to request more information.
Declaration of Independence Toolkit< (July 2025, annual review)-VDOE has developed the Declaration of Independence Toolkit to engage the community in reading the Declaration of Independence beginning July 4, 2025. Multiple tips to create a memorable and educational Fourth of July event that fosters community spirit and civic engagement are included.