Media Resources
About
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), established by the General Assembly in 2020, serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the former colonies and future states, where much of the nation’s history took place. The primary goal of the Commission is to convene and facilitate a Commonwealth-wide commemoration and celebration, multi-faceted and inclusive of hundreds of partners and representatives of the wide array of histories, sites, stories, and communities that define Virginia.
Leadership & Membership
The VA250 Commission is comprised of individuals representing the Commonwealth’s government, private and non-profit sectors and coordinates the Commemoration’s planning and development and includes representatives from historical sites and museums across Virginia, leadership of Virginia’s Indian tribes, members of the Virginia legislature and citizen members. The Commission is chaired by Delegate Terry L. Austin and vice-chaired by Senator Mamie E. Locke.
Click here for a full list of VA250 Commission Members.
Important Dates
The Revolution didn’t just start in 1776. There were many events leading up to it that Virginia will be commemorating. Here is just some of those dates:
March 10 – 12: A Common Cause to All: 250th Anniversary of the Committee of Correspondence
Fall 2024: Lafayette Grand Tour
November 9, 2024: Yorktown Tea Party
March 23, 2025: 250th Anniversary of Patrick Henry’s “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech
May 2026: Sail250
July 4, 2026: 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence
October 19, 2031: Yorktown Victory Day
Local Committees
There are 134 cities and counties in Virginia all of whom have been invited to form committees to showcase their own revolutionary history and events. Click here to see a current list of local VA250 committees and to access links to their membership and activities.
Plans in Development and Available Resources
Current plans in development include:
Events in celebration of the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
A Mobile Museum that will be hands-on, interactive and immersive and housed in an expandable tractor-trailer and will travel, free of charge, to schools, local events, festivals, and fairs throughout Virginia and beyond.
A Signature Exhibition of history and artifacts to be housed within and curated in partnership with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture (VMHC) and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (JYF), and will include a travelling panel exhibition available to all Virginia localities.
Grant opportunities in partnership with Virginia Tourism Corporation and Virginia Humanities, VA250 provides funding opportunities to support Virginia local committee programming.
Educational opportunities in support of Virginia schools and educational institutions.
Events and Places to Visit
The VA250 website includes a Statewide Calendar showing Commission signature events as well as local events and sites of historic interest. There will be an interactive map on the website that will allow visitors to search by location and area of interest.
How To Get Involved
Those wishing to get involved can contact their local committee or the Commission staff for more information on volunteer opportunities, how to donate, and other ways to support the commemoration.
Media Contacts
Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director
cwilson@va250.org
Elizabeth Mancano, Deputy Director
emancano@va250.org
For media inquiries, please call (757) 936-2360
More Information
For a print-ready file, please see our VA250 Fact Sheet.
For media and press releases, click here.
For VA250 images, click here.
For general information, please call (757) 936-2009.
Follow us on social media @VARevolution250 #VA250