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Between February 9 - 28th, stroll the streets of beautiful Downtown Fredericksburg, VA to learn about the American Revolution and the Revolutionary War Patriots submitted by members of our local community. This annual "Our Hearts Sparkle for these Veterans" event is coordinated by the Washington-Lewis Chapter, NSDAR.

The windows of forty-six (46) local businesses and organizations will be showcasing Patriots (men, women and children, white, foreign, freed and enslaved African Americans as well as Native Americans) who fought for our Nation's Independence.

Visit the Fredericksburg Visitor's Center to see a Patriot Project completed by members of the Surgeon Lawrence Brooke Society, Children of the American Revolution. Be sure to pick up a map of the Sparkle windows as well as local Historic Sites related to the Revolution.

Other special displays, in windows throughout Historic Downtown Fredericksburg, include Female Patriots, the Forgotten Patriots in our Region (African American and American Indian), Patriots buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Music of the Revolution, Clothing of the Revolutionary War Period and Dogs of the Revolution.

The Fredericksburg Branch of the Central Regional Rappahannock Library will feature the America250 Colors Gallery - showcasing "Flags for our New Nation" created by local 4th and 5th graders February 16-28th. A reception will be held on Friday, February 20th to celebrate these young artists as well as the winners of the high school America250 Essay Contest and the winner of the "Our Hearts Sparkle Best Dressed Window" contest.

Many of the Fredericksburg community learned how to conduct genealogical research, and found their American Revolution Patriot ancestor, during one of the genealogy workshops offered as part of this America250 project. Two of these workshops focused on the unique research resources to trace African American and American Indian ancestors. The genealogy workshops will continue in the future.

The Patriot Displays (100+ posters) will be maintained by the Washington-Lewis Chapter, NSDAR and be loaned out to schools, historic organizations, genealogy groups, DAR and SAR chapters, local museums... for educational, patriotic and historic preservation programming and events.

This VA250 event in co-sponsored by the Fielding Lewis Chapter, SAR and our partners NSDAR, FXBG250 and the Central Rappahanock Regional Library, the Fredericksburg Regional Genealogical Society, and Virginia DAR District IX.

Please come join us to celebrate America250 in beautiful, historic Fredericksburg!