JANUARY 2025 EVENTS NEWSLETTER
The Revolutionary Rumble
Your monthly guide to events commemorating Virginia’s key role in the founding of our nation as we approach America’s 250th birthday.
Reflecting on an incredible 2024 with VA250! 🎆 From celebrating Independence Day at the Capitol to honoring history at the Bray School dedication, we’ve explored Virginia’s rich past together. Get ready for an even bigger 2025! 🎉 We’re commemorating pivotal moments like the Fincastle Resolutions on January 18th.
JANUARY 2-5
Richmond
In January, 1781, General Benedict Arnold led British troops in capturing the new capital of Virginia. This annual event returns, focused on the Revolution in Richmond and the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Four days of activities will take place at four different locations.
JANUARY 3
Henrico County
Drop in throughout the day to experience life in a local Patriot militia encampment. What’s a powder magazine and why does it need to be guarded? Learn about the local militia’s defense as British troops fought their way through Henrico County into Richmond. Engage with reenactors as they demonstrate how to load and fire weapons.
JANUARY 3 – 5
Fredericksburg
Twelfth Night at Kenmore: A Dramatic Performance
Experience the candlelight, music, and decorations of a colonial Christmas … and the uncertainty of Revolution. In Twelfth Night at Kenmore, it is early January 1776 and the first Christmas that Fielding and Betty Washington Lewis will celebrate in their newly built home. In the 18th century, December 25 was just the start of Christmas, a twelve-day celebration that ended on Twelfth Night. This final night was the most festive of the holiday season, if not of the entire year! View dramatic scenes by costumed actors in the first-floor rooms of Kenmore with a special musical performance by Colonial Faire.
JANUARY 4
Henrico County
Arnold’s Raid Encampment & Skirmish
Did you know Benedict Arnold led more than 1,000 British and Hessian troops through Henrico in January 1781? Travel back in time to visit a small Revolutionary War encampment of local militia to learn more about their uniforms, gear, and life of the common soldier. Hear about the Patriots’ struggle to defend Richmond.
JANUARY 11
Charles City County
Battle of Charles City Courthouse
A commemorative event honoring the historical significance of Charles City County in the American Revolution as part of the Virginia 250 Celebration. Featuring a portrayal of Benedict Arnold to provide historical context and narration to guide the program and a musical performance by the Charles City Elementary School Chorus.
Loudoun County
Eliza’s True Story: The First Biography of President Monroe’s Eldest Daughter
For over 200 years, Eliza Monroe has been portrayed as a hysterical and temperamental woman who abandoned her country and fled to France. The tale, however, did not ring true to author Barbara VornDick. She spent years researching Eliza, utilizing records on both continents. Her ground-breaking work shows Eliza in a new light and dispels many of the untruths that have been written about her. Barbara will discuss her new book about Eliza and the project to repatriate Eliza’s remains.
JANUARY 12
Gloucester County
The Lafayette Bicentennial & Gloucester County
Join Robert Kelly, Director of the Gloucester Museum of History & Vice President of the American Friends of Lafayette, for a discussion about General Lafayette’s legacy that includes connections to Gloucester.
Henrico County
London Pleasants: From Enslaved to Redcoat
Follow the life of London Pleasants from enslavement to self-emancipation in Henrico County. Learn about his time as a Black Loyalist and fate after the American Revolution.
Isle of Wight County
The word pocket comes from a French word meaning pouch. A version of pouch-type pockets persisted for millennia until the 16th century when they were fashioned to wearer’s girdles or belts. Today’s discussion by textile expert Renee Starling highlights women’s fashion history and the story of where we put our stuff.
JANUARY 15
Richmond
In 1819 John Adams came across a stunning story in his hometown newspaper that he described to his political frenemy Thomas Jefferson as “one of the greatest curiosities and one of the deepest mysteries that ever occurred to me . . . entitled the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.” The story claimed that a full fourteen months before Jefferson crafted his own Declaration of Independence, a band of zealous Scots-Irish patriots, whiskey-loving Princeton scholars, and a fanatical frontier preacher in a remote corner of North Carolina had become the first Americans to formally declare themselves “free and independent” from England. The Mecklenburg Declaration was signed on May 20, 1775—a date that’s still featured on the state flag of North Carolina. A year later, in 1776, Jefferson is believed to have plagiarized the MecDec while composing his own, slightly more famous Declaration and then, as he was wont to do, covered the whole thing up. Which is exactly why Adams always insisted the MecDec needed to be “thoroughly investigated.” Now, with Who’s Your Founding Father?, David Fleming picks up where Adams left off, leaving no archive, no cemetery, no bizarre clue or wild character unexplored while traveling the globe to bring to life one of the most fantastic, important—and controversial—stories in American history.
JANUARY 16
Isle of Wight County
LUNCH & LEARN: 1781 Battle of Mackie’s Mill
This is the 244th anniversary of the Revolutionary War engagement between local patriot militia forces and British regular soldiers under Benedict Arnold along Cypress Creek. Join us as we present the story of this historic small battle portraying the bravery and determination of Isle of Wight County citizen-soldiers under the command of Smithfield’s own Colonel Josiah Parker.
JANUARY 18
Roanoke
Fincastle Resolutions 250th Anniversary
Virginia will commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Fincastle Resolutions, which marked the first time Americans declared that independence was a cause for which they were willing to give their lives, a sentiment famously echoed two months later by Patrick Henry. To honor this milestone, VA250 will host a special event titled “A Salute to Southwest Virginia” at the O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum. The event will feature a variety of exhibits and activities, including the launch of the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience.
Westmoreland County
Commemorating the Lives: The Lee Men of Stratford Hall Discounted Admission Day
Stratford Hall invites visitors to discover the Great House and grounds in commemoration of the lives of Lee family men, many of whom had January birthdays. During your visit, take the Band of Brothers audio tour to learn more about the Lee men and their time at Stratford Hall, including Declaration of Independence signers Francis Lightfoot Lee and Richard Henry Lee, Revolutionary War hero Henry “Light Horse Harry” Lee, and Confederate General Robert E. Lee.
JANUARY 19
Winchester
Battle of Cowpens Commemoration
The Ceremony to be held is in honor the Revolutionary War veterans who participated in the Battle of Cowpens and Daniel Morgan’s efforts during the Battle. It will be held at Daniel Morgan’s gravesite.
JANUARY 24
Chesterfield County
Chesterfield County and the Yorktown Campaign
As we prepare to celebrate the 250 th anniversary of the American Revolution, Bert Dunkerly will share how Chesterfield appeared in this historic and pivotal military event.
JANUARY 25
Henrico County
Heirloom Lost Arts & Crafts: Dancing into the Colonial Past
Put on your dancing slippers and dance your way back in time 250 years ago to a time of powdered wigs and lavishly trimmed waistcoats. Dancing was popular and common pastime of colonial Americans, which served recreational, social, and political purposes. You’ll learn the English country dances which were enjoyed by George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. No partner required.
Pittsylvania County
Pittsylvania County Committee of Safety 250th Anniversary Commemoration
A special program commemorating the 250th anniversary of the formation of Pittsylvania County’s Committee of Safety at the Old Callands Courthouse and Gaol on Sago Road in Callands. Join us as we commemorate this crucial step on the road to American independence and as we honor and remember the men who were elected to the committee that day.
Shenandoah County
Peter Muhlenberg Commemoration
This ceremony will held to honor of Peter Muhlenberg and his “a Time for War” sermon in front of the Shenandoah County Historical Society in Woodstock.
