About

Join us for a talk by historian and author Brent Tarter, who will discuss Dunmore’s War of 1774. Consisting of one battle only, the event was either the last of the colonial Virginia wars with members of First Nations tribes or the first battle of the American Revolution. In the fighting between volunteers under the command of Virginia militia colonel Andrew Lewis, soon to be a general in the Continental Army, the Virginians defeated a Shawnee force under the command of the great leader Cornstalk at the Battle of Point Pleasant on the banks of the Ohio and Kanawha Rivers in what is now West Virginia. Lord Dunmore, the last royal governor of Virginia, whose name was much later attached to the expedition against the Shawnee, was not even there. Tarter’s talk will explore the meaning of the event and its importance to the Revolutionary era.

Brent Tarter, a retired research historian and senior editor at the Library of Virginia, is the author, co-author, editor or co-editor of 18 volumes on topics in Virginia history as well as numerous articles in historical journals.

This event is part of the Library’s programming commemorating Virginia's role in the 250th anniversary of American independence.

This is a free event, but registration is required. Limited free parking is available underneath the Library at 800 East Broad Street. For more information, contact education@lva.virginia.gov.