About

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.

Local Events

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits the University of Virginia
November 15, 2024 - November 15, 2024
City of Charlottesville

Join the celebration commemorating the 200th Anniversary of Lafayette’s return to America in 1824 as “guest of the Nation” in which he visited a... Read More

Home Educators' Day
September 12, 2024 - September 12, 2024
Albemarle County

Join us for Home Educators' Day as we invite the homeschool community to come and engage with this important part of history through engaging indoor a... Read More

September Plant Sale at Monticello
September 14, 2024 - September 14, 2024
Albemarle County

Join us at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants (CHP) for a seasonal plant sale. The Monticello nursery will have a variety of flowers, tre... Read More

Farm to Batteau
September 20, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Albemarle County

Join James River Batteau Company for a collaboration with local Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table! Get ready for an open fire, family-style, farm-to... Read More

Gallery Talks
September 20, 2024 - September 20, 2024
Albemarle County

Join our staff to hear stories and discoveries about objects in our collections in these informal talks at the visitor center galleries. Each talk wil... Read More

Farm to Batteau
October 04, 2024 - October 04, 2024
Albemarle County

Join James River Batteau Company for a collaboration with local Chef Sarah Rennie of Two Fire Table! Get ready for an open fire, family-style, farm-to... Read More

October Plant Sale at Monticello
October 12, 2024 - October 12, 2024
Albemarle County

Join us at the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants (CHP) for our second fall plant sale. The Monticello nursery will have a variety of flowers... Read More

Gallery Talks
October 18, 2024 - October 18, 2024
Albemarle County

Join our staff to hear stories and discoveries about objects in our collections in these informal talks at the visitor center galleries. Each talk wil... Read More

Pursuits of Knowledge
October 29, 2024 - October 29, 2024
Albemarle County

This fall, Monticello introduces "Pursuits of Knowledge," a series of dynamic conversations with leading thinkers exploring Jefferson's world, ideas, ... Read More

Pursuits of Knowledge
November 12, 2024 - November 12, 2024
Albemarle County

This fall, Monticello introduces "Pursuits of Knowledge," a series of dynamic conversations with leading thinkers exploring Jefferson's world, ideas, ... Read More

Gallery Talks
November 15, 2024 - November 15, 2024
Albemarle County

Join our staff to hear stories and discoveries about objects in our collections in these informal talks at the visitor center galleries. Each talk wil... Read More

Bicentennial of Lafayette’s Farewell Tour Visits Monticello
November 17, 2024 - September 17, 2024
Albemarle County

Join us on November 17, 2024 for a special celebration commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Marquis de Lafayette visiting Thomas Jefferson at Mo... Read More

Pursuits of Knowledge
December 17, 2024 - December 17, 2024
Albemarle County

This fall, Monticello introduces "Pursuits of Knowledge," a series of dynamic conversations with leading thinkers exploring Jefferson's world, ideas, ... Read More