Charlottesville & Albemarle County

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

Anthems from America & Abroad - A Heifetz Holiday Celebration
July 05, 2025 - July 05, 2025
City of Charlottesville

On Saturday, July 5th, Highland will host the Heifetz International Music Institute for a free concert from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. A classically-inspired e... Read More

Gallery Talks: Monthly Talks with Monticello Experts
February 14, 2025 - July 18, 2025
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

Founding Friends, Founding Foes Tour
May 23, 2025 - December 31, 2025
Albemarle County

Offered 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

Founding Friends, Founding Foes Tour and Feast of Reason
June 20, 2025 - October 25, 2025
Albemarle County

Most Fridays and Saturdays, late June 20 through October 25 Price: Adults - $75; Students with valid college ID - $45; Children 12-18 - $45 Tour D... Read More

The American Revolution: An Evening with Ken Burns
July 03, 2025 - July 03, 2025
Albemarle County

Join Monticello and VPM off the mountain for a special program with award-winning filmmaker Ken Burns and his co-director Sarah Botstein. Guests will ... Read More

July 4th at Monticello
July 04, 2025 - July 04, 2025
Albemarle County

Celebrate July 4th at Monticello, the home of the author of the Declaration of Independence! For over 60 years on July 4th, Monticello's West Lawn has... Read More