VA250 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and US Independence in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Henrico County’s VA250 committee is part of these larger state and national efforts to recognize the people and events of the American colonies fight for independence and its founding through an ongoing series of programs, events, and projects.
While state and federal efforts may peak in 2026, Henrico County will continue offering a variety of ways to learn about the people and events of the past as well as to engage in dialogue on what liberty, freedom, and how the legacy of events 250 years ago shape the present and what our citizens hope to see for the future.
Virginia 250 Passport
The Virginia 250 Passport is the first-of-its-kind and it’s a statewide tourism journey celebrating America’s 250th anniversary – encouraging individuals and families to explore and experience history together. 70 premier historic destinations in Virginia are participating, including our very own Meadow Farm Museum.
More information about the program is available at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.
250 Programs
Walkerton Tavern’s Bicentennial Bash
Sun, May 17, 2-4 p.m. Walkerton Tavern.
Celebrate Walkerton Tavern’s 200th anniversary with historical interpreters, activities, games, and more!
Information: [email protected]
London Pleasants: From Enslaved to Redcoat
Sat, May 23, 1-2pm. Recreation and Parks Admin.
Ages 10+. Follow the life of London Pleasants from enslavement to self-emancipation in Henrico County. Learn about his time as a Black Loyalist and fate after the American Revolution. Information: [email protected]
An Audience with Lord Dunmore
Sat, May 30, 11am-12:30pm. Belmont Rec Center.
Ages 10+. The colony of Virginia became more restless under the policies of the British government. Costumed interpreter, Bill Rose, portrays the last royal governor, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore. He will discuss Virginia’s rising “Liberty Fever” and how he intends to cure it. Can he “defeat such treasonable purposes” and restore order to the Old Dominion? Information: [email protected]
250 Traveling Exhibits
Indigenous Perspectives Traveling Exhibit
Quick! How many federally and state-recognized tribes are there in Virginia? Indigenous Perspectives seeks to place the voices and experiences of Virginia’s tribal communities at the center of an active examination of the Library of Virginia’s holdings. Ultimately, the project acknowledges and recognizes that Virginia’s Indigenous communities have been, and remain, a vital part of Virginia’ s history and culture. The exhibition is organized around the themes of sovereignty, environment, identity, community, language, and future.
- May 11-21: Rec & Parks Main Office
- May 22-June 1: Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
- June 2-11: Deep Run Recreation Center
- June 12-20: Meadow Farm Museum
We the People Traveling Exhibit
“We The People” presents the deeply personal narratives of individuals born across the world who sought freedom, opportunity and refuge by immigrating to the United States. Pairing historic accounts with contemporary stories, the exhibition highlights the profound way immigrants have both shaped and been shaped by Virginia and this nation.
- July 6-13: Meadow Farm Museum
- July 14-20: Rec & Parks Main Office
- July 21-27: Eastern Henrico Recreation Center
- July 28-August 4: Deep Run Recreation Center
- August 5-11: Dorey Recreation Center
- August 12-17: Belmont Recreation Center
A Henrico Fourth: Two-Day Celebration
July 4, 2026, signifies the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), which also marks the 250th birthday of the United States of America.
So large a birthday, it could not be contained to one day! We’re having a two-day celebration at two different parks.
Friday, July 3: Dorey Park from 6-10pm
Saturday, July 4: Crump Park from 5-10pm
Questions? Email [email protected]. (Please specify which event you’re asking about in your message.)
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These are just the VA250 programs— to learn more about all of the history happenings, get on our mailing list. You can also view upcoming history programs on this site.
Timeline
| Date | Historical Event |
|---|---|
| 1752 | Henrico County’s courthouse moves from Varina to Richmond in the middle of East Main and 22nd streets. |
| May 1752 | Reverend William Stith, of Henrico, makes one of the earliest public protests on taxation without representation, protesting Royal Governor Dinwiddie’s policy of charging one Spanish pistole to place his official seal on land patents without the consent of the Virginia Assembly. |
| May 31, 1767 | British chancellor of the Exchequer Charles Townshend introduces in the House of Commons his program to tax the colonies. |
| April 2, 1768 | Henrico residents send a petition to the House of Burgesses claiming that the Townshend Act taxes infringe on the rights of free citizens.  Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1766-1769, pg 145 (Sat, the 2nd of April. 8 Geo. III. 1768) |
| July 27, 1769 | Anne Randolph (Wilton) and Lucy Randolph (Chatsworth) have their names in the Virginia Gazette signing nonimportation pacts. |
| May 1769 | Governor Boteourt dissolves the House of Burgesses due to their protests. |
| Dec 14, 1769 | Over 100 women wear homespun gowns to a ball in Williamsburg to protest British tax policy. |
| May 24, 1774 | Virginia House of Burgesses declares a day of prayer and fasting to protest British taxes. |
| July 28, 1774 | The Virginia Gazette publishes the Henrico Resolves in support of the Massachusetts colony and in response to Parliament’s creation of the Coercive Acts, also referred to as the Intolerable acts in the colonies.  |
| Aug 1, 1774 | First Virginia Convention in Williamsburg convenes with Richard Adams and Samuel DuVall representing Henrico. |
| Nov 17, 1774 | Henricoans gather at the courthouse based on agreements set by Continental Congress earlier that fall to elect a county committee “to observe the conduct of all persons touching this association” and publish information on individuals violating it. |
| Mar 20, 1775 | Second Virginia Convention convenes at St. John’s Church. Reverand Miles Seldon of Henrico is appointed chaplain and Henrico again is represented by Richard Adams and Samuel DuVal. |
| Mar 23, 1775 | Patrick Henry delivers “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death” speech. |
| Mar 25, 1775 | George Washington visits Anne Randolph at Wilton Plantation in eastern Henrico after attending the Second Virginia Convention. |
| Apr 21, 1775 | Governor Dunmore orders the seizure of gunpowder stored in the public magazine at Williamsburg. |
| Apr 26, 1775 | The Henrico committee responds to the seizure of gunpower, claiming that removing the gunpowder was “an insult to every freeman in this country.” |
| Jun 14, 1775 | The Second Continental Congress establishes the Continental Army and elects George Washington its commander the following day. |
| July 17, 1775 | The Third Virginia Convention meets at St. John’s Church with Richard Adams and Richard Randolph representing Henrico. |
| Nov 6, 1775 | Henrico elects 21 men to a committee to enact measures adopted by Continental Congress, Va Convention & Committee of Safety. |
| Nov 7, 1775 | John Murray, the Earl of Dunmore and Virginia’s royal governor, issues a proclamation to free enslaved and indentured servants able and willing to serve in the British army. |
| Nov 1775 | Lord Dunmore’s Ethiopian regiment forms, providing military training and arms for the first Black military unit raised by the British in North America. |
| Dec 1775 | Armed men raid homes in Henrico County stealing salt, a valuable food preservative. |
| Dec 1-10, 1775 | One company of the Henrico Battalion activate into service (led by Captain William DuVal) at Williamsburg. They remain there until discharged on March 6, 1776. |
| Dec 9, 1775 | Battle of Great Bridge in Norfolk County results in an American victory. |
| Dec 28, 1775 | 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment forms in Richmond partially consisting of troops from Henrico. |
| Feb 1776 | Henrico conducts a survey of residents and reports 500 men of military age in the county. |
| Feb 24, 1776 | The 3rd Company of the 5th VA Regiment under Capt. John Pleasants is organized in Henrico County. This regiment will fight at the battles of Trenton, Princeton, NJ; Brandywine and Germantown, PA; Monmouth, NJ; and Charleston, SC. |
| Jun 29, 1776 | The General Assembly elects Patrick Henry as Virginia’s first governor. |
| Aug 5, 1776 | By order, Henrico’s sheriff reads the Declaration of Independence in front of the county courthouse. |
| May 28, 1776 | Robert Pleasants writes to Governor Patrick Henry, requesting those who wish to free their enslaved laborers be allowed to do so. |
| May 12, 1779 | The 5th Virginia, consisting of Henrico soldiers, consolidates into the 3rd Virginia Infantry Regiment. |
| July 12, 1779 | The Virginia Assembly votes to move capital from Williamsburg to Richmond. |
| June 10, 1780 | “Sentiments of an American Woman,” calling on American women to organize and collect donations for Continental Army soldiers, is published. The document becomes the foundation of the Philadelphia Ladies’ Association, as well as a similar voluntary organization in Virginia. Martha Washington serves as the organizations’ chief treasurer, and Virginia women collect over $100,000. |
| Jan 4, 1781 | British General Benedict Arnold leads troops down New Market Road, skirmishes at Chimborazo Hill with local men, then advances to Richmond, burning the town and its supplies. Watch Video |
| Mar 1, 1781 | Maryland ratifies the Articles of Confederation after Virginia agrees to relinquish its western land claims. |
| Apr 27, 1781 | British General Arnold’s troops destroy the entire Virginia State Navy during the Battle of Osborne’s Landing. |
| Apr 30, 1781 | British and American forces exchange artillery fire across the James River, with the British in Manchester and the Americans in Richmond. |
| May 3, 1781 | French aristocrat the Marquis de Lafayette, serving as a Major General in the Continental army, moves troops to Bottoms Bridge in eastern Henrico. |
| May 26, 1781 | British troops under General Cornwallis cross the James River from the south and march over Malvern Hill, moving north to Hanover County. |
| Jun 18-20, 1781 | Cornwallis’s troops march from the west into Richmond, occupy it, and move on toward Williamsburg by way of Bottoms Bridge. |
| Late July 1781 | Lafayette and Virginia militia camp at Malvern Hill for about two weeks. |
| Oct 19, 1781 | The Siege of Yorktown concludes with the British surrendering to Continental and French forces, effectively ending major military operations in Virginia. |
| Oct 10, 1800 | Gabriel, an enslaved laborer from Henrico, is executed after organizing a large-scale slave rebellion. Inspired by revolutionary ideals, he planned to create a flag bearing the words ‘Death or Liberty,’ reflecting his commitment to freedom at any cost. |