Charlottesville and Albemarle County were home to third United States president, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson was the primary author for the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence did not free all people within the United States, nor did it recognize the impact European settlers had on the First Peoples. The legacy of the Declaration of Independence is still being realized today as the United States aims to build a more perfect union. The Charlottesville-Albemarle VA-250 Committee recognizes that the story of the United States begins with Americans who trace their histories back millennia, those who arrived yesterday, and everyone in between.
White men who enlisted in the Revolutionary War were assigned to the 14th Virginia Regiment, which was raised on September 16, 1776, in western Virginia for service with the Continental Army. The regiment would see action at the Battle of Brandywine, Battle of Germantown, Battle of Monmouth, and Siege of Charleston. Most of the regiment was captured at Charlestown, South Carolina on May 12, 1780, by the British Army. The regiment was formally disbanded on November 15, 1783.
This region saw relatively little action during the Revolutionary War. The Revolutionary War came to Charlottesville in 1778 when the prisoners captured during the battles of Saratoga of October 1777 were moved from Boston to Charlottesville. The victory at Saratoga was a turning point for the Revolutionary War.
As the second British invasion of Virginia, led by Benedict Arnold in December of 1780, began to threaten Richmond, the Virginia legislature moved its proceedings to Charlottesville. After Cornwallis had taken charge of all British forces in Virginia in early June of 1781, he sent Colonel Banastre Tarleton and a mounted British force on a lightning raid to Charlottesville. He hoped to capture members of the Virginia legislature and (at that time) Governor Thomas Jefferson. Captain John Jouett of the Virginia Militia galloped ahead of Tarleton and was able to spread the alarm, so the crisis was averted.
The Committee will also recognize the regional contributions of the Monacan Nation, the Black Patriots of Albemarle, the annual naturalization ceremony at Monticello on July 4th, the home of James Monroe, the legacy of the James River in Scottsville and more.
Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central VirginiaFinally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia exhibition will be on display at the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center from... Read More
Finally Remembered: The Black Patriots of Central Virginia ExhibitThe exhibition honors the African American Men and Women who served in the Revolutionary War. Through rare documents, profiles, military records, a... Read More
Give Me Liberty Traveling Exhibition at HighlandHighland is pleased to host the VA250 traveling exhibition, Give Me Liberty: Virginia & the Forging of a Nation, from November 3 through December 15, ... Read More
Court Square: Where Charlottesville Began Guided Walking TourBeginning at the Albemarle County Circuit Courthouse, this tour led by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society explores the history of the re... Read More
Court Square: Where Charlottesville Began Guided Walking TourBeginning at the Albemarle County Circuit Courthouse, this tour led by the Albemarle Charlottesville Historical Society explores the history of the re... Read More
Winter Open HouseYou are invited to a FREE Winter Open House at Highland on Saturday, December 6, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Guests can explore Highland’s core ex... Read More
Holly Days at HighlandIt’s back! Highland and the Virginia Cooperative Extension invite you to Holly Days at Highland, a morning of children’s crafts and holiday cheer ... Read More
Saturday Public Tour at JSAAHCJoin us for a one-hour tour where we explore exhibitions in our contemporary gallery or the history of Charlottesville through our permanent exhibitio... Read More
Charlottesville Ballet Presents: America250: Voices of VirginiaIn honor of America’s 250th anniversary, Charlottesville Ballet and Opera on the James will present America250: Voices of Virginia in Charlottesvill... Read More
Founding Friends, Founding Foes TourOffered daily at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Pricing: Adults, $42; Children 12-18, $13; Children 5-11 , $4; Children under 5, Free On July 4, 1826, Thom... Read More
Pursuits of Knowledge: Louis Masur on A Journey NorthJoin us in conversation with Louis Masur, discussing his latest book and how it provides a fresh, intimate view of a storied friendship between two of... Read More
People and Places: Conservation Projects at HighlandToday’s landscape is formed in part by human activities past and present. Highland and the on-campus Institute for Integrative Conservation have col... Read More
