Virginia 250 celebrations ramp up across Richmond this month
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Image: Courtesy of Aileen Devlin for VA250 Commission
America's 250th is less than 100 days away, but you don't have to wait until July 4 to celebrate. There's already plenty happening just this month.
Why it matters: A nation only turns 250 once, and Virginia played a pivotal role in its founding.
The big picture: Virginia has been planning for the semiquincentennial celebration since 2020, when it created a commission tasked with party planning.
- The festivities kicked off in 2024, in Richmond, of course, with a Fourth of July celebration at the state capitol.
- There was also last year's big deal reenactment for the 250th anniversary of Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech.
- But now, the events are kicking into high gear.
Zoom in: Here's how to get in on the fun locally this month.
🌎 "We The People: The World in Our Commonwealth," at The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), explores how people from around the globe have helped shape Virginia — told through the voices of Virginians from 68 countries.
- Runs through Sept. 7. Free with museum admission ($15).
🎨 "Titus Kaphar and Junius Brutus Stearns: Pictures More Famous than the Truth" at VMFA offers a 21st-century perspective on 19th-century paintings of George Washington, exploring how art mythologized the man.
- Through July 26. Free.
🚛 The Virginia 250 Mobile Museum is roving the state all year and stopping in Goochland this weekend for "Time Travel through History Weekend."
- Expect food, music and period re-enactors, through Sunday, April 12. Free.
🎤 St. John's Church is having another "Liberty or Death" reenactment, this one for Patriots Day on Sunday, April 19. $15.
🐑 "Fiber Festival" is on this weekend at Patrick Henry's historic Hanover home, Scotchtown. The fest celebrates sheep shearing season, of course, just as our forefathers did. And includes tours of the home. Saturday, April 11, 10am-4pm. $10.
- Hanover County 250 Commission's special LOVE sign, made for the anniversary, will be there, too.
🪈 There's a Revolutionary-era military music concert back at VMHC on April 16, complete with immersive historical programming. $20.
🥃 Raise a glass to America's bday with the limited edition VA250 Commemorative Bottle Set, that's three bottles of Virginia-made booze that attempts to answer the question "what does Virginia taste like?"
- Hint: It tastes like botanical gin, aged rum and cask-strength four-grain whiskey. Available at ABC stores, $124.99.
Zoom out: Save the date for these two:
⚓ Richmond SailFest (June 12–14)
- Historic "tall ships" sail into Richmond as part of their statewide tour, with music, ship tours, family activities and more, at Dock Street Park. Free.
🇺🇸 "America Made In Virginia: 250 Years Together (July 4)
- It's a two-hour live event in Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia's OG capital). Free.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to remove the "Give Me Liberty: Virginia & Forging of a Nation" exhibit, which closed earlier this year.