VA250 Commission

#VA250 had the privilege of meeting the granddaughter of Mollie Holmes Adams, one of the notable figures highlighted in our Mobile Museum Experience, on the 300th anniversary of King William County's historic courthouse — the oldest courthouse in the United States still in use. Adams was raised in the county within the Adamstown (later known as the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe) Indian community. She built a strong base for the tribe through her church and tribal activism. Discover more about her legacy! https://buff.ly/7uS2yJ5

✨ Two Lights for Tomorrow has officially arrived in Williamsburg! ✨ From April 11–22, two symbolic lights will shine brightly in the Colonial Capitol, honoring the enduring spirit of liberty and the shared journey from revolution to nationhood. 🕯️ 🕯️ These lights represent hope and remembrance—a tribute to the past and a beacon for the future—as we commemorate 250 years of American history. Virginia is honoring the 250th anniversary of both the “midnight ride of Paul Revere” overnight on April 18-19, 1775, and the Gunpowder Incident in Williamsburg on April 21, 1775. 📍 Swing by the Colonial Capitol and witness this powerful installation that connects us across generations.

Virginia International Tattoo ✨ 📆 April 24, 2025 - April 27, 2025 4:30 PM - 4:30 PM 📍 Scope Arena 201 E Brambleton Ave Norfolk, VA 23510 Celebrating the 250th Birthday of the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps 🇺🇸 The 2025 Virginia International Tattoo will feature an incredible international cast of more than 800 civilian and military performers from six nations. Returning favorites include Norway’s spectacular Band and Drill Team of His Majesty the King’s Guard, the rousing Massed Pipes and Drums from four nations and the nimble OzScot Australia Highland Dancers. Exciting new performers include the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) Central Band in their first trip to the United States. At the heart of every performance will be an emotional and grateful tribute to our Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. With stirring music, heartfelt tributes to those who have served, and appearances by some very special guests, this Tattoo will remind us that as Americans, we enjoy freedoms made possible by 250 years of Service and Sacrifice. New this year, the Virginia International Tattoo is a signature event of Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250). Established by the General Assembly to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence, VA250 will mark the nation’s semiquincentennial by bringing Virginians together to learn more about Virginia’s key role in shaping the nation, these signature events are bringing together Virginians, travelers, history lovers and special guests from the state and nation to join events that celebrate and commemorate major moments of 250 years ago leading up to July 4, 1776. Additional information: https://buff.ly/RHOjI3W #va250 #virginia250 #gonavy #goarmy #huzzah

🌼✨ Mobile Museum x Gloucester Daffodil Festival! ✨🌼 The Mobile Museum Experience rolled in—and what a weekend it was! Huge thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate community, creativity, and of course… all things daffodil 💛

Remembering the 250th of Revere's Ride 🇺🇸 📆 April 18, 2025 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM 📍 Wilderness Road Regional Museum 5240 Wilderness Road Newbern, VA 24126 Join the Pulaski County 250th of the American Revolution Committee along with Wilderness Road Regional Museum for an event to mark the 250th Anniversary of Paul Revere's ride. Our local horsemen will ride the streets of Newbern announcing the movement of the British Regulars. They will then gather with local living historians and other guests at Wilderness Road Regional Museum for an evening of music, a reading of Longfellow's poem, and selected tastes of Boston. The event is family friendly and free to attend, donations are welcome to support more 250th events throughout the New River Valley. More information:

Battlefields of the American Revolution Commemorative Forever® Stamps First-Day-of-Issue Ceremony 📆 Wednesday, April 16, at 11 a.m. EDT 📍 North Bridge Visitor Center (outdoor event) Minute Man National Historical Park 174 Liberty St. Concord, MA 01742 The pane of 15 stamps memorializes five turning points in the fight for American independence. Watercolor paintings depicting scenes of five battles appear alongside photographs of sites involved in each battle. As the first armed conflicts of the American Revolution, the 🐎 Battle of Lexington and Concord ignited outrage in Massachusetts and showed the potential of citizen soldiers, relying on local organizing and knowledge of their home terrain, to confront the highly trained and professional British military. Fought primarily on Breed’s Hill just outside Boston, the Battle of Bunker Hill was an early demonstration of American tenacity. Although the battle was a tactical loss for the Americans, heavy casualties forced the stunned British to rethink their strategy for the long war to come. Notable for the victory that followed George Washington’s risky and audacious crossing of the Delaware River 🌊 from Pennsylvania into New Jersey, the Battle of Trenton highlighted Washington’s ability to see opportunity in desperate times, rally his army, and save the revolutionary cause. In New York, the Battles of Saratoga halted a determined British campaign to divide the Colonies. American resolve at 🚜 Freeman’s Farm and Bemis Heights drew international support that ultimately secured independence. As the last major land battle of the Revolutionary War, the Battle of ✨ Yorktown✨ involved a weekslong American siege of this Virginia city and prompted a British surrender, a testimony to both the strategic leadership of George Washington and the essential support of the French. 🇫🇷 Attendees are encouraged to RSVP at https://buff.ly/0k3ExFg #va250 #twolightsfortomorrow #virginia250 #virginiaisforhistorylovers #yorktown #virginiahistory Visit Yorktown The American Friends of Lafayette Consulate of France in Washington DC

NORTHAMPTON COUNTY JOINS NATIONAL “TWO LIGHTS FOR TOMORROW” INITIATIVE HONORING NATION’S FOUNDING 🕯️ 🕯️ Excerpt: "The Northampton County Board of Supervisors has officially endorsed Two Lights for Tomorrow, a nationwide campaign commemorating the 250th anniversary of the United States. The initiative honors the spirit of Paul Revere’s legendary midnight ride on April 18–19, 1775, with a symbolic call to action through the display of two lights. Approved by proclamation, Northampton County’s participation aligns with a broader movement to reflect on America’s revolutionary beginnings and to inspire unity and civic engagement. The initiative encourages citizens, communities, and government institutions to display two lights in windows or public spaces—echoing the famous “two if by sea” lantern signal that warned colonial patriots of British advancement. “This campaign is about more than remembrance—it’s a reminder that the foundation of our country was built on people coming together for a shared purpose,” the proclamation states. “By displaying two lights, we honor that legacy and commit ourselves to continuing the work of building a more perfect union.” The lights will shine across Virginia from April 11 to April 22, commemorating not only Revere’s ride but also the 250th anniversary of the Gunpowder Incident in Williamsburg—an early flashpoint in the American Revolution. The Town of Eastville will participate by illuminating two lights in its Town Park." In addition, children are invited to take part through art. A Two Lanterns coloring sheet is available online and can be shared in windows, classrooms, or on social media using the hashtag #TwoLightsForTomorrow and tagging @VA250. For more information and to download the coloring sheet, visit buff.ly/KyHgsRH

Living History Event at Colonial National Historical Park Will Feature 1st Rhode Island Regiment By WYDaily Staff Excerpt: “YORKTOWN — Colonial National Historical Park will host a special living history event featuring reenactors from the 1st Rhode Island Infantry Regiment April 12-13. Historical interpreters portraying America’s first integrated military regiment of Gen. George Washington’s Continental Army will be present at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. They will share insights into the lives of Revolutionary War soldiers and the regiment’s crucial role during the Siege of Yorktown in 1781, according to the park. Established by the colonial Rhode Island Assembly in May 1775, the 1st Rhode Island Regiment was initially organized by Col. James Varnum and was often referred to as “Varnum’s Regiment.” According to the park, the unit participated in multiple engagements of the Revolutionary War, including the Siege of Boston, the New York Campaign, the Battles of Red Bank and Rhode Island, and the Siege of Yorktown. Serving with honor and distinction throughout the war, the Regiment was disbanded in December 1783. Family-friendly activities, including drilling and camp life demonstrations, will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.” Entire article: https://buff.ly/uNvcf6t #va250 #virginia250 #america250 #blackhistory #americanrevolution #yorktown #jyfmuseum @visityorktown

Women's History Walk led by Alexandria Celebrates Women 📆 April 19, 2025 - May 24, 2025 10 AM 📍 Alexandria Visitor's Center 221 King Street Alexandria, VA 22314 Did you know Alexandria was home to one of the most revered female fundraisers of the American Revolution, or that President Woodrow Wilson sent an Alexandria woman on a mission aboard a U.S. battleship? As part of America's 250th anniversary, Alexandria Celebrates Women (ACW) will be leading Women's History Walks monthly, March through October. The 3-mile walk takes approximately two hours. Participants should register through Eventbrite to guarantee their space. Don't forget comfortable shoes and water! Link for more info: https://buff.ly/eE0cT4h

Hand Crafted: Clotho's Handspinners Guild 🪡 🧵 📆 Sat Apr 12th 2025 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM 📍 Varina Area Library 1875 NEW MARKET RD Henrico, VA 23231 Clotho's Handspinners Guild members will be onsite to demonstrate the art and craft of wool production including carding, spinning, and weaving. Drop in and experience several opportunities for hands-on learning. This project is supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250). More information: https://buff.ly/4k1n928