Final Round of VA250 Announced by Virginia Humanities
Virginia—Today, Virginia Humanities, the state’s humanities council, announced $278,831.80 in VA250 grants awarded to 31 organizations across Virginia. This brings the total of VA250 grants awarded by Virginia Humanities to $557,878.11 since 2023 and completes the partnership between Virginia Humanities and the VA250 Commission.
The American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) was established by the General Assembly in 2020, VA250 serves to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
“We are grateful for our partnership with Virginia Humanities and proud to see these investments supporting organizations across the Commonwealth" said Cheryl Wilson, executive director for Virginia's American Revolution 250 Commission. "From its founding ideas to its leading figures, more of what made America happen, happened in Virginia. These grants will help inspire Americans to engage with the stories, places and people that shaped our nation. Commemorating the 250th anniversary is not only about looking back, it is also about understanding how Virginia’s history continues to influence our shared future.”
In total, more than 65 museums, libraries, historic sites, and cultural organizations received VA250 grants from Virginia Humanities over three grant cycles in 2023, 2024, and 2025.
To learn more about Virginia Humanities and upcoming grant opportunities, visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
Latest VA250 Grants
######################
HistoryFest 250: Arlington Historical Society ($10000)
Arlington
Support for HistoryFest 250, a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution that is set to take place in May 2026 at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA.
Songs of the Revolution(s): Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. ($7950)
Bristol
Support for the "Songs of the Revolution(s)" project which aims to explore pivotal moments in American and Virginian history through music and spoken word performances.
Spirits Trail of 1776: Botetourt Preservation Partnership, Inc. ($6000)
Fincastle
Support for "Spirits Trail of 1776," a dynamic, all-ages community event that will bring to life the deep and evolving history of Botetourt County, Virginia.
Adventure 250 Family Ranger Program: Colonial National Historical Park ($9000)
Yorktown
Support for the Adventure 250 Family Ranger Program, which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence through interactive learning, involving stamp collection and activities that culminate in earning a commemorative medallion.
Culpeper Minute Men 250th Anniversary - History Week Festivals & Historical Interpreters: Culpeper Minute Men ($6500)
Brandy Station
Support for the Culpeper Minute Men 250th Anniversary History Week Festivals which will commemorate local Revolutionary War history through costumed historical interpretation.
Dinwiddie County's Roads to Revolution: Dinwiddie County ($10000)
Dinwiddie
Support for the creation of a portable exhibit showcasing Dinwiddie County's pivotal role in the American Revolution exploring themes such as political action, economic strategy, and civic engagement.
RUN RICHMOND 16.19: Djimon Hounsou Foundation ($10000)
Venice, California
Support for expanded programming focused on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution during the annual Run Richmond 16.19 event.
2026 Northern Neck 250 Speaker Series: Foundation for Historic Christ Church ($5000)
Irvington
Support for the 2026 Northern Neck 250 Speaker Series which aims to explore the region's role in the nation's founding through a series of free monthly lectures across the Northern Neck from January to May 2026.
Witness to a Revolution-Fredericksburg Remembers 1776: Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center ($10000)
Fredericksburg
Support for a new exhibition that focuses on Fredericksburg’s multifaceted contributions to the Revolutionary War effort and its long-standing tradition of public commemoration.
Legacies of the American Revolution-Dialogue and Discovery Civic Engagement: Germanna Community College ($10000)
Fredericksburg
Support for a year-long series of educational, cultural, and civic engagement programs that examine how the founding ideals and contradictions of the American Revolution continue to influence American identity, civic participation, and historical memory.
Salubria Oktoberfest & 250th History Faire: Germanna Foundation ($10000)
Locust Grove
Support for Salubria’s Oktoberfest and History Faire, a free public event that will launch Culpeper’s 250th History Week with inclusive, participatory programming grounded in Virginia’s rich cultural and historical landscape.
Revolutionary Valley Exhibition: Glass Glen Burnie Museum, Inc. ($10000)
Winchester
Support for a new exhibition that will focus on the Shenandoah Valley's complex role in the American Revolution and explore diverse perspectives including indigenous peoples, colonists, and both enslaved and free African Americans.
Foundations of Freedom-Stories, Songs & Sustenance of the Revolution: Grayson County Tourism ($6100)
Independence
Support for “Foundations of Freedom: Stories, Songs & Sustenance of the Revolution" a new Revolutionary War program including demonstrations, cooking tastings, musical lectures, broom making, quilting, a museum scavenger hunt, and a VA250 mobile exhibit.
Competing Freedoms: Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation ($5381.80)
Chesapeake
Support for "Competing Freedoms," a traveling exhibit that aims to illuminate diverse perspectives during the Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary War era.
Hampton Roads at 250-Celebrating Local Stories through Public Education Media: Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association ($10000)
Norfolk
Support for the "Hampton Roads at 250" project, a multimedia project focusing on highlighting untold stories of Revolutionary War contributions in the Hampton Roads region.
Melungeon Voices Podcast Season 6-The American Revolution's 250th Anniversary: Melungeon Heritage Association ($10000)
Bluefield
Support for The Melungeon Voices Podcast Season 6, which will commemorate the American Revolution's 250th Anniversary by producing 9 podcast episodes exploring Melungeon and mixed-ancestry histories.
Sails on the Potomac: Office of Historic Alexandria ($10000)
Alexandria
Support for a three-day public history festival scheduled for June 12–14, 2026, as part of the Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor program.
Revolutionary Ideas-250th Anniversary of the American Revolution: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University ($10000)
Fairfax
Support for 10 free lectures on revolutionary history, delivered both online and in-person for Fairfax County residents over 50.
Minuteman to the Virginia State Bar, John Marshall and the Revolutionary War: Preservation Virginia ($5000)
Richmond
Support for a new exhibition focused on John Marshall's Revolutionary War experiences and his pivotal role in forming the U.S. government.
The NNK250 We the People Academic Symposium and Virginia Resolved: A Commemoration of Independence: Stratford Hall ($9900)
Stratford
Support for a symposium exploring the Northern Neck's role in the American Revolution by examining diverse perspectives on independence through panels on archaeology, commemoration, slavery, 18th-century architecture, and environmental history.
CELEBRATING FREEDOM! Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as seen by American Artists: Taubman Museum of Art ($10000)
Roanoke
Support for a year-long initiative in 2026 featuring four exhibitions and counterpart educational programming exploring the evolution of American ideals through the lens of visual art.
CALL TO ARMS-The Soldier and the Revolutionary War: The Army Historical Foundation ($10000)
Fort Belvoir
Support for an exhibit catalog for the National Museum of U.S. Army's 250th anniversary commemoration which will highlight diverse Revolutionary War soldier experiences through rare artifacts and life-sized dioramas.
Virginia’s Founding Footprint-People, Places, and the Promise of 1776: The Montpelier Foundation ($8000)
Orange
Support for a five-episode podcast series called "Virginia's Founding Footprint," which will explore Virginia's role in shaping American democracy by highlighting untold stories from the Founding Era.
Dissent! Liberty & Loyalty in Early Richmond: The Valentine ($10000)
Richmond
Support for a project that will explore alternative perspectives during America's founding era, focusing on Tories, free Black residents, and enslaved workers in the Richmond region.
Stitching Together History-Year 3: The Virginia Quilt Museum ($10000)
Harrisonburg
Support for year three of an extensive quilting exhibition that aims to cultivate quilting arts in Virginia exploring four themes: Power of Place, We the People, Unfinished Revolutions, and Virginia Experiments.
Liberty Fest – Abingdon’s History is America’s History: Town of Abingdon, VA ($10000)
Abingdon
Support for Liberty Fest, a festival scheduled for May 1-3, 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with educational programming, historical reenactments, and community engagement.
War & Style-Life in the Virginia Back Country During America's Revolution: Town of Wytheville Department of Museums ($10000)
Wytheville
Support for a comprehensive historical initiative focusing on Southwest Virginia's role in the American Revolution that aims to educate K-12 students and the general public.
VMHC Living History Weekend – Virginia at War 1781: Virginia Museum of History & Culture ($10000)
Richmond
Support for a Living History Weekend which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence by featuring living historians representing diverse perspectives during the 1781 Virginia campaign.
Revolution Untold-Stories of Virginia in the Revolution: William & Mary Foundation ($10000)
Williamsburg
Support for the production of historical video packages that will bring to life stories from the American Revolution that expand understanding of the people who made the greater Williamsburg area – and Virginia – what it is today.
Sail Yorktown Festival: York County Economic & Tourism Development ($10000)
Yorktown
Support for the Sail Yorktown Festival, which aims to commemorate America's 250th anniversary by highlighting Yorktown's maritime heritage and showcasing diverse perspectives of the nation's founding.
######################
HistoryFest 250: Arlington Historical Society ($10000)
Arlington
Support for HistoryFest 250, a commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution that is set to take place in May 2026 at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA.
Songs of the Revolution(s): Birthplace of Country Music, Inc. ($7950)
Bristol
Support for the "Songs of the Revolution(s)" project which aims to explore pivotal moments in American and Virginian history through music and spoken word performances.
Spirits Trail of 1776: Botetourt Preservation Partnership, Inc. ($6000)
Fincastle
Support for "Spirits Trail of 1776," a dynamic, all-ages community event that will bring to life the deep and evolving history of Botetourt County, Virginia.
Adventure 250 Family Ranger Program: Colonial National Historical Park ($9000)
Yorktown
Support for the Adventure 250 Family Ranger Program, which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence through interactive learning, involving stamp collection and activities that culminate in earning a commemorative medallion.
Culpeper Minute Men 250th Anniversary - History Week Festivals & Historical Interpreters: Culpeper Minute Men ($6500)
Brandy Station
Support for the Culpeper Minute Men 250th Anniversary History Week Festivals which will commemorate local Revolutionary War history through costumed historical interpretation.
Dinwiddie County's Roads to Revolution: Dinwiddie County ($10000)
Dinwiddie
Support for the creation of a portable exhibit showcasing Dinwiddie County's pivotal role in the American Revolution exploring themes such as political action, economic strategy, and civic engagement.
RUN RICHMOND 16.19: Djimon Hounsou Foundation ($10000)
Venice, California
Support for expanded programming focused on the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution during the annual Run Richmond 16.19 event.
2026 Northern Neck 250 Speaker Series: Foundation for Historic Christ Church ($5000)
Irvington
Support for the 2026 Northern Neck 250 Speaker Series which aims to explore the region's role in the nation's founding through a series of free monthly lectures across the Northern Neck from January to May 2026.
Witness to a Revolution-Fredericksburg Remembers 1776: Fredericksburg Area Museum and Cultural Center ($10000)
Fredericksburg
Support for a new exhibition that focuses on Fredericksburg’s multifaceted contributions to the Revolutionary War effort and its long-standing tradition of public commemoration.
Legacies of the American Revolution-Dialogue and Discovery Civic Engagement: Germanna Community College ($10000)
Fredericksburg
Support for a year-long series of educational, cultural, and civic engagement programs that examine how the founding ideals and contradictions of the American Revolution continue to influence American identity, civic participation, and historical memory.
Salubria Oktoberfest & 250th History Faire: Germanna Foundation ($10000)
Locust Grove
Support for Salubria’s Oktoberfest and History Faire, a free public event that will launch Culpeper’s 250th History Week with inclusive, participatory programming grounded in Virginia’s rich cultural and historical landscape.
Revolutionary Valley Exhibition: Glass Glen Burnie Museum, Inc. ($10000)
Winchester
Support for a new exhibition that will focus on the Shenandoah Valley's complex role in the American Revolution and explore diverse perspectives including indigenous peoples, colonists, and both enslaved and free African Americans.
Foundations of Freedom-Stories, Songs & Sustenance of the Revolution: Grayson County Tourism ($6100)
Independence
Support for “Foundations of Freedom: Stories, Songs & Sustenance of the Revolution" a new Revolutionary War program including demonstrations, cooking tastings, musical lectures, broom making, quilting, a museum scavenger hunt, and a VA250 mobile exhibit.
Competing Freedoms: Great Bridge Battlefield and Waterways History Foundation ($5381.80)
Chesapeake
Support for "Competing Freedoms," a traveling exhibit that aims to illuminate diverse perspectives during the Revolutionary and post-Revolutionary War era.
Hampton Roads at 250-Celebrating Local Stories through Public Education Media: Hampton Roads Educational Telecommunications Association ($10000)
Norfolk
Support for the "Hampton Roads at 250" project, a multimedia project focusing on highlighting untold stories of Revolutionary War contributions in the Hampton Roads region.
Melungeon Voices Podcast Season 6-The American Revolution's 250th Anniversary: Melungeon Heritage Association ($10000)
Bluefield
Support for The Melungeon Voices Podcast Season 6, which will commemorate the American Revolution's 250th Anniversary by producing 9 podcast episodes exploring Melungeon and mixed-ancestry histories.
Sails on the Potomac: Office of Historic Alexandria ($10000)
Alexandria
Support for a three-day public history festival scheduled for June 12–14, 2026, as part of the Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor program.
Revolutionary Ideas-250th Anniversary of the American Revolution: Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at George Mason University ($10000)
Fairfax
Support for 10 free lectures on revolutionary history, delivered both online and in-person for Fairfax County residents over 50.
Minuteman to the Virginia State Bar, John Marshall and the Revolutionary War: Preservation Virginia ($5000)
Richmond
Support for a new exhibition focused on John Marshall's Revolutionary War experiences and his pivotal role in forming the U.S. government.
The NNK250 We the People Academic Symposium and Virginia Resolved: A Commemoration of Independence: Stratford Hall ($9900)
Stratford
Support for a symposium exploring the Northern Neck's role in the American Revolution by examining diverse perspectives on independence through panels on archaeology, commemoration, slavery, 18th-century architecture, and environmental history.
CELEBRATING FREEDOM! Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness as seen by American Artists: Taubman Museum of Art ($10000)
Roanoke
Support for a year-long initiative in 2026 featuring four exhibitions and counterpart educational programming exploring the evolution of American ideals through the lens of visual art.
CALL TO ARMS-The Soldier and the Revolutionary War: The Army Historical Foundation ($10000)
Fort Belvoir
Support for an exhibit catalog for the National Museum of U.S. Army's 250th anniversary commemoration which will highlight diverse Revolutionary War soldier experiences through rare artifacts and life-sized dioramas.
Virginia’s Founding Footprint-People, Places, and the Promise of 1776: The Montpelier Foundation ($8000)
Orange
Support for a five-episode podcast series called "Virginia's Founding Footprint," which will explore Virginia's role in shaping American democracy by highlighting untold stories from the Founding Era.
Dissent! Liberty & Loyalty in Early Richmond: The Valentine ($10000)
Richmond
Support for a project that will explore alternative perspectives during America's founding era, focusing on Tories, free Black residents, and enslaved workers in the Richmond region.
Stitching Together History-Year 3: The Virginia Quilt Museum ($10000)
Harrisonburg
Support for year three of an extensive quilting exhibition that aims to cultivate quilting arts in Virginia exploring four themes: Power of Place, We the People, Unfinished Revolutions, and Virginia Experiments.
Liberty Fest – Abingdon’s History is America’s History: Town of Abingdon, VA ($10000)
Abingdon
Support for Liberty Fest, a festival scheduled for May 1-3, 2026 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution with educational programming, historical reenactments, and community engagement.
War & Style-Life in the Virginia Back Country During America's Revolution: Town of Wytheville Department of Museums ($10000)
Wytheville
Support for a comprehensive historical initiative focusing on Southwest Virginia's role in the American Revolution that aims to educate K-12 students and the general public.
VMHC Living History Weekend – Virginia at War 1781: Virginia Museum of History & Culture ($10000)
Richmond
Support for a Living History Weekend which will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence by featuring living historians representing diverse perspectives during the 1781 Virginia campaign.
Revolution Untold-Stories of Virginia in the Revolution: William & Mary Foundation ($10000)
Williamsburg
Support for the production of historical video packages that will bring to life stories from the American Revolution that expand understanding of the people who made the greater Williamsburg area – and Virginia – what it is today.
Sail Yorktown Festival: York County Economic & Tourism Development ($10000)
Yorktown
Support for the Sail Yorktown Festival, which aims to commemorate America's 250th anniversary by highlighting Yorktown's maritime heritage and showcasing diverse perspectives of the nation's founding.
About Virginia Humanities
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We aim to tell the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to tell their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we will all get to know each other a little better. Virginia Humanities is headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but our work covers the Commonwealth. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. To learn more visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
Virginia Humanities is the state humanities council. We aim to tell the stories of all Virginians—or, better yet, find ways for people to tell their own stories. We want Virginians to connect with their history and culture and, in doing that, we hope we will all get to know each other a little better. Virginia Humanities is headquartered in Charlottesville at the University of Virginia, but our work covers the Commonwealth. Founded in 1974, we are one of fifty-six humanities councils created by Congress with money and support from the National Endowment for the Humanities to make the humanities available to all Americans. To learn more visit VirginiaHumanities.org.
