Charlottesville, Va—Today, Virginia Humanities, the state humanities council, announced $116,350 in grants to 14 nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth. The grants are presented in partnership with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission.
“These grants are a vital resource for organizations working to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution in Virginia,” said Cheryl Wilson, executive director of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission. “They support projects that tell the stories of the people who lived through the Revolution and its legacy, and they help to ensure that all Virginians have the opportunity to learn about and celebrate this important moment in our nation’s history.”
The following projects received VA250 grants:
Fairfield Foundation: George Washington Drank Here: A Revolutionary Tavern in King William County ($5,000) | King William County
Research and report on the dynamic and diverse Revolutionary War-era artifact assemblage associated with Quarles’ Tavern at King William County Courthouse, which served as a way station for travelers commuting to and from Williamsburg, including George Washington, while also operating as the county’s de facto meeting place for every sector of King William society.
Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center: Lafayette’s World: Revolutionary Ideals and the Limits of Freedom ($10,000) | Fredericksburg
An exhibit will commemorate Lafayette’s visit to Fredericksburg in November 1824, utilizing the famed Frenchmen to expand on larger themes of revolution, slavery, and abolition.
The French and Indian War Foundation: From Surveyor to Patriot-The Story of George Washington & Fort Loudoun ($8,448) | Winchester
An online exhibit that combines existing research with historical documents and images of George Washington’s time in Winchester.
George Mason University: Worlds Turned Upside Down Podcast ($10,000) | Fairfax County
Production of seasons one and two of Worlds Turned Upside Down, a narrative documentary podcast series about the history of the American Revolution, hosted and written by Dr. Jim Ambuske.
Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation: Expressions of Liberty ($4,700) | Chesapeake
Production of panels for use in an exhibit that will give voice to multicultural Revolutionary War era persons in Hampton Roads whose stories are often overlooked and who illustrate the social paradoxes and complexities of the definition of “Expressions of Freedom”.
Loudoun Heritage Farm Museum: “General Cleveland” and the 1775 Loudoun Tenant Revolt ($3,950) | Loudoun County
An exhibition about the lives of Loudoun’s revolutionary tenant farmers featuring 18th century farming tools and equipment, and government records related to the 1775 Loudoun tenant revolt.
Northern Neck Tourism Commission: Northern Neck 250 Speaker Series 2024: The Power of Place ($9,625) | Northern Neck
A Signature Speaker Series as one of several special events to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution.
Patrick Henry Memorial Foundation: Commemorating the 250th at Red Hill ($10,000) | Charlotte County
Creation of three online exhibitions on a Google Arts and Culture platform using digital images of historic objects in the Red Hill collections. And a public program produced in partnership with the Robert Russa Moton Museum in Farmville that honors the many contributions that Virginia’s Southside Black communities have made to the fight for citizenship and equity throughout the Commonwealth and the nation’s history.
Prince William County Office of Historic Preservation: Prince William County and the American Revolution ($4,950) | Prince William County
A permanent exhibit about the county’s Revolutionary War experience that connects visitors with the famed campaigns and lesser-known sites of the Revolutionary War.
Saint John’s Church Foundation: Liberty or Death Reenactment ($10,000) | Richmond
Nine professional actors in 1700’s costumes will bring to life the debates that occurred at Historic St. John’s Church on March 23, 1775, culminating in Patrick Henry’s immortal “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech.
Towne of Wytheville Department of Museums: The Revolutionary Roots of Southwest Virginia ($10,000) | Wythe County
An exhibit that presents the ways the region played a pivotal role in the American Revolution focused on the events that took place locally and the locals whose actions had an impact globally.
The Virginia Quilt Museum: Stitching Together History: 250 Quilts Commemorating the Commonwealth of Virginia ($9,948) | Harrisonburg
An exhibition and book featuring 250 quilts that tell the history of the Commonwealth of Virginia through four themes: Unfinished Revolutions, We the People, Power of Place, and Virginia Experiments.
Wilderness Road Regional Museum: Appalachian American Revolution ($9,730) | Wythe, Montgomery, Blacksburg, Christiansburg, Pulaski, Giles
Development of a place-based curriculum and artistic celebration for the region’s 4th- and 5th-grade public and homeschooled students that will emphasize 1774 anniversaries in the region.
Youth Virginia Regiment: Lafayette 2024: Return to Portsmouth ($10,000) | Portsmouth
A weeklong celebration of all that Lafayette meant to America and to its revolutionary idea of freedom for all.
Virginia Humanities Grants
Our grants support projects that explore the stories of Virginia—its history, people, communities, and cultural traditions—as well as issues and questions that impact the lives of Virginians in the present day.
