July 4, 2026, marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson. The “Conversations on the Declaration” discussion series honors the occasion by hosting five inspiring and informative programs across the Commonwealth.
EVENTS
October 4, 2025 - Join the Virginia Museum of History & Culture for a one-day event where historians, practitioners, and members of the public gather to explore our shared past. Featuring panels and presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate revolutionary Virginians and their ideas, and a special keynote lecture, the symposium links past with present to inspire future generations.
October 17 - Join the Karsh Institute of Democracy at UVA and Monticello for a conversation inspired by Thomas Jefferson’s legendary dinner parties—where spirited conversation flowed alongside food and drink. This unique session invites participants to gather over lunch for meaningful dialogue about civic identity, democratic values, and the legacy of 1776. A signature program of Monticello, “Feast of Reason” uses prompts from a custom conversation card deck to spark small-group discussions that explore how we live out democratic ideals today.
April 2026 - William & Mary will be offering education on the revolution for the semiquincentennial. Please check back here for more details.
Join Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest in late summer 2026 for special programming on the legacy of the author of the Declaration of Independence. Please check back here for more details.