A Common Cause to All: A Convening of the States
Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) Signature Event
Monday, March 18 – Wednesday, March 20, 2024
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Monday, March 18
Unless otherwise noted, all activities take place in the Virginia Room of The Williamsburg Lodge (lower level).
2:00 pm:
Registration opens
5:00 pm:
Welcome to Virginia Reception
5:45 pm:
Opening Dinner and keynote speakers
The Honorable Tim Kaine, United States Senate (Virginia)
The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia
Harry Smith, NBC News Correspondent
The Honorable Tim Kaine, United States Senate (Virginia)
The Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia
Harry Smith, NBC News Correspondent
8:00 pm:
Evening concludes
Tuesday, March 19
7:00 am:
Breakfast buffet
8:15 – 9:00 am:
Keynote remarks
The Honorable John Charles Thomas
Justice, Supreme Court of Virginia (retired)
The Honorable John Charles Thomas
Justice, Supreme Court of Virginia (retired)
9:30 – 10:15 am:
Fireside Chat with Jefferson and Early American Scholars
Moderator: Barbara Oberg, Princeton University
Woody Holton, University of South Carolina
Jane Kamensky, The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello
Moderator: Barbara Oberg, Princeton University
Woody Holton, University of South Carolina
Jane Kamensky, The Thomas Jefferson Foundation, Monticello
10:45 – 11:30 am:
Research Report: Approaches to Public Engagement
Matt Williams, Brand Federation
Matt Williams, Brand Federation
11:45 am
Buffet lunch
12:45 am – 1:00 pm
Keynote remarks
Rosie Rios, Chair, America250
Rosie Rios, Chair, America250
1:00 – 1:30 pm
Presentation: The American Revolution by Ken Burns
Paula Kerger, President and CEO, PBS
Sarah Botstein, Award-Winning Producer and Filmmaker
Paula Kerger, President and CEO, PBS
Sarah Botstein, Award-Winning Producer and Filmmaker
2:00 – 2:45 pm
Breakout Sessions (Select one session at registration desk)
Reaching Teachers and Students in Schools (Tidewater Room)
Providing Impactful Digital and Virtual Content (Colony Room ABC)
2026 National Planning (Colony Room E)
3:00 – 3:45 pm
Breakout Sessions (Select one session at registration desk)
Public History in Polarized Times (Tidewater Room)
Funding your 250th (Colony Room ABC)
5:15 pm
States Dinner attendees gather in Arrival Hall for processional
5:30 pm
Dinner Procession steps off
6:00 pm
States Dinner and keynote speakers
*Attendance must be reserved in advance
Danielle Allen, Harvard University
Carly Fiorina
VA250 National Honorary Chair
Chair, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees
*Attendance must be reserved in advance
Danielle Allen, Harvard University
Carly Fiorina
VA250 National Honorary Chair
Chair, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Board of Trustees
8:45 pm
Evening concludes with special presentation
Wednesday, March 20
Note: America250 will hold a Commission meeting at the Williamsburg Lodge on Wednesday, March 20. Details TBA
7:00 am:
Breakfast buffet
8:15 – 8:45 am:
Keynote remarks
Kevin Gover
Undersecretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution
Kevin Gover
Undersecretary for Museums and Culture, Smithsonian Institution
9:00 – 9:45 am:
Fireside Chat: Reaching Diverse and Underserved Communities
Moderator: Christy Coleman, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Dr. Noelle Trent, Museum of African American History
Dr. Ashley Jordan, African American Museum in Philadelphia
Marvin-Alonzo Greer, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
Moderator: Christy Coleman, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Dr. Noelle Trent, Museum of African American History
Dr. Ashley Jordan, African American Museum in Philadelphia
Marvin-Alonzo Greer, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission
10:00 – 10:45 am:
Fireside Chat: Multistate Collaboration for 250th Programs Nationwide
Moderator: Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Commission
Jonathan Lane, Massachusetts Revolution 250
Jonah Spivak, Vermont 250th Commission
Kevin Hampton, The Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Steven Ladd, Scrollathon Artist
Moderator: Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Commission
Jonathan Lane, Massachusetts Revolution 250
Jonah Spivak, Vermont 250th Commission
Kevin Hampton, The Wisconsin Veterans Museum
Steven Ladd, Scrollathon Artist
11:00 am – 12:15 pm:
Breakout Groups
State 250th planners (Tidewater Room)
Local VA250 committees (Allegheny Room)
State 250th planners (Tidewater Room)
Local VA250 committees (Allegheny Room)
12:30 pm:
Lunch
1:00 pm:
Closing Keynote
Jeffrey Rosen, National Constitution Center
Jeffrey Rosen, National Constitution Center
2:00 – 2:45 pm:
Closing event in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area
Join the people of Williamsburg in May 1774 when “a shock of electricity” strikes the city as news of Boston’s port closure reaches Virginia. The House of Burgesses, the elected body of Virginia, has called for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, but Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, might have a different opinion. In this dramatization, step into a chaotic moment in Virginia’s past and discover the voices of a community struggling to find a way forward.
This event begins at the Capitol Circle and then will move towards the Raleigh Tavern.
Join the people of Williamsburg in May 1774 when “a shock of electricity” strikes the city as news of Boston’s port closure reaches Virginia. The House of Burgesses, the elected body of Virginia, has called for a Day of Fasting, Humiliation, and Prayer, but Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, might have a different opinion. In this dramatization, step into a chaotic moment in Virginia’s past and discover the voices of a community struggling to find a way forward.
This event begins at the Capitol Circle and then will move towards the Raleigh Tavern.
3:00 pm:
Program concludes