VA250 Commission

And so, A Common Cause to All, ended, just as it had begun three years before - gathered in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg, where so much of what made America happen, happened. Concluding the first national convening in 2023 (https://buff.ly/muV7qz4 ), a powerful Closing Ceremony was held on the steps of the Raleigh Tavern, where Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, and other members of Virginia’s Committee of Correspondence met 250 years earlier. 𝘿𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙜𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙣𝙞𝙢𝙤𝙪𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙙𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙖 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙤𝙡𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙩𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙂𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙣𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙥, 𝙥𝙡𝙚𝙙𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙩𝙤 𝙟𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙣𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 – 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙡𝙡 𝘼𝙢𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙘𝙖𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙩𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙧𝙚𝙛𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙘𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙗𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙪𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. As the final culminating event of A Common Cause to All, delegates from each of the states proceeded once again to the Raleigh Tavern, where Thomas Jefferson, James Armistead Lafayette, Martha Washington, and James Madison gave a heartfelt, emotion-packed performance on the meaning of the words of the Declaration of Independence, both then and now. Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Kurt Smith) echoed the final words of the founding document, "𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘱𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯, 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘮 𝘳𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘥𝘪𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘮𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘺 𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘥𝘨𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘓𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘴, 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘶𝘯𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘴𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳." 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝘾𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝘾𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚. 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙪𝙨. 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚.  𝐌𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐚. -Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Executive Director

The "Dupes" of the American Revolution vs. British Rule 🇺🇸👑 🔹 The American Revolution was all about breaking free from British rule—but what were the real trade-offs? Let’s compare some key "dupes" of the Patriots vs. the Monarchy. The Economy: 🇬🇧 British Monarchy: You work hard, but profits go to the Crown. Heavy taxes on goods like tea, stamps, and sugar.
 🇺🇸 American Revolution: A free-market system where Americans controlled their own economy and wealth.
 💰 Keep your money or fund a king?

Day 3, the final day of the multistate convening, "A Common Cause to All" brought rousing speeches and insightful discussions. Panel presentations included experts on engaging youth in 250th initiatives, as well as lessons from the states on planning efforts and programs to date, featuring VA250 Executive Director, Cheryl Wilson. Kitcke Carroll, Executive Director of Uset @uset.inc and Chief Stephen Adkins of the Chickahominy Tribe shared insight and spoke about the power of sharing all aspects of history. Virginia Supreme Court Justice (ret.) John Charles Thomas, brought the house down with closing keynote. An orator without peer, Justice Thomas rallies and inspires all to action in the moment of the nation's 250th. -Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Executive Director

Lecture—The Realities of Infantry in Combat During the American Revolution April 8, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm Historian Alex Burns, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at Franciscan University of Steubenville, places the common enlisted man during the American Revolution at center stage by discussing their experiences during the war. Drawing from his archival research on the American, British and Prussian armies, Dr. Burns shows how the infantryman throughout the eighteenth century played an important role by asserting tactical reforms from below and places the tactical experiences of the Continental Army in a European context. Registration is requested. To attend the lecture in-person at Anderson House, or to watch virtually, please use the appropriate link below.

The "Dupes" of the American Revolution vs. British Rule 🇺🇸👑 🔹 The American Revolution was all about breaking free from British rule—but what were the real trade-offs? Let’s compare some key "dupes" of the Patriots vs. the Monarchy. The Government: 🇬🇧 British Monarchy: A king who inherited power, taxed you without representation, and could imprison you for speaking out.
 🇺🇸 American Revolution: A government by the people, for the people—where leaders are chosen by vote, not by birthright. 💬 Would you rather be ruled or represented?

✨ VA250 Ambassador Martin Townes visited Thomas Jefferson's Monticello ✨ A model of Thomas Jefferson's early vision for Monticello. The iconic dome is absent in this 1770s version. This model was created by Pamela Heller in 1986 and can be seen in the Monticello visitor's center. In 1820 John Quincy Adams commissioned William J. Stone to make facsimiles of the Declaration of Independence 📜. Two hundred and one copies were produced and this one on display in the Monticello visitor's center is one of the roughly fifty that exist today. 🇺🇸 1789 terracotta plaster bust of Thomas Jefferson 🇺🇸 by Jean-Antoine Houdon 🇫🇷. On display in the visitor's center at Monticello. 🧱

📣 Welcome Our Newest VA250 Ambassador: Jenn Bennie! 🎉 We’re thrilled to introduce Jenn Bennie, historian, former Navy pilot, and passionate storyteller, as our newest VA250 Ambassador! 🇺🇸✨ Jenn co-founded Walk with History, a project that started as a way to visit and share historic locations—leading to incredible friendships and a global community of history enthusiasts. With a Master’s Degree in American History and a Museum Studies certificate, her military and academic background bring a unique perspective to the stories of our past. Alongside Scott, who produces videos and podcasts for Walk with History and Talk with History, Jenn helps bring history to life in exciting and engaging ways. Join us in welcoming Jenn as we continue the journey toward America’s 250th anniversary! Walk with History: Facebook: https://buff.ly/TuXQTwI Instagram: https://buff.ly/JEh3D4q Youtube: https://buff.ly/vXPrewf Website: https://buff.ly/foHr7mG

The programs, activities, events, and energy of Day 2 of A Common Cause to All will live in the minds of attendees for years to come. It was truly a day - and a night - to remember! Presentations included conversations with two Pulitzer-Prize winning historians, Rick Atkinson and Alan Taylor, as well as panels with renowned scholars on renewing democracy, engagement with historically marginalized communities, and a robust civics education fair. The States Dinner featured keynote remarks on "America. Made in Virginia." from Carly Fiorina, VA250 National Honorary Chair. The world public premiere of "The American Revolution," a new documentary from celebrated filmmaker Ken Burns, premiered on the grounds of the Governor's Palace to an audience of thousands. The night ended in fireworks and memories that will be cherished forever. -Cheryl Wilson, VA250 Executive Director A Common Cause to All co-hosted by VA250 and Colonial Williamsburg

🕯️✨ Two Lights for Tomorrow: A Nationwide Call to Commemorate America’s 250th! ✨🕯️ Inspired by Paul Revere’s midnight ride on April 18–19, 1775, Two Lights for Tomorrow is a national initiative uniting communities across the country to mark the beginning of our journey toward a more perfect union. 🔦 How to Participate: Display two lights—at home, visitor centers, historical sites, community spaces, and government buildings—throughout April 2025 to honor our shared history and commitment to working together for a brighter future. 📍 Virginia’s Commemoration: From April 11–22, 2025, we’ll light our lanterns to mark the 250th anniversary of the Gunpowder Incident in Williamsburg. Other states will participate on April 18 or throughout the month—check with your state commission for local events! Join us in this nationally unifying tribute and let your lights shine! ✨ More info: https://buff.ly/HDfeZSq

600 people✨ 300 organizations✨ 100 museums🏛️ 61 localities across Virginia✨ 40 states🌎 One Common Cause🇺🇸 For the third consecutive year, VA250 and Colonial Williamsburg Foundation partnered to convene the nation's 250th planners in what has truly become A Common Cause to All. The national convening brought together a record number of attendees, representing the nation’s finest museums, educators, nonprofits, and government institutions, all dedicated to planning a 250th commemoration that is meaningful to all, inspiring, engaging, and makes a lasting impact. Day 1 of the three-day program featured welcome remarks from the Honorable Glenn Youngkin, Governor of Virginia; Cliff Fleet, President and CEO of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; Cheryl Wilson, Executive Director of VA250; and The Honorable Aimee Guidera, Secretary of Education. A special presentation of "Give Me Liberty" brought together Virginia's first Governor, Patrick Henry, with Virginia's 74th Governor, watching. The evening culminated in keynote remarks by Emmy-award winning journalist Pete Williams. #va250 #virginia250 #commoncause #america250 #americamadeinvirginia #kenburns #colonialwilliamsburg Colonial Williamsburg