RICHMOND, VIRGINIA – The Library of Virginia has partnered with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) to create statewide programming and an online resource to educate the public about one of the Commonwealth’s most important Revolutionary-era document collections. Aligned with VA250’s theme “A Revolution of Ideas,” the activities will occur over three years as part of commemorating Virginia’s role in the revolution.

Titled “Ideas in Action: Virginians Petition Their Government, 1776–1786,” the project involves a participatory, crowd-sourced approach to engaging today’s Virginians with the ideals, issues and actions contained in more than 2,000 legislative petitions that Revolutionary-era Virginians submitted to their General Assembly during this time frame. The petitions, part of the Library’s vast collections, demonstrate that Virginians of all backgrounds and walks of life believed the government existed to protect their rights and was accountable to the people.

"'Ideas in Action' brings the Revolution home, allowing Virginians to explore the concerns and aspirations of their communities," said VA250 Executive Director Cheryl Wilson. "VA250 is honored to partner with the Library of Virginia on this important project, which will illuminate the local stories that shaped our Commonwealth and our nation."

Leveraging the success of its “Making History” project that engages the public with historical documents through indexing, transcription and text correction, the Library will work with the network of local 250th anniversary committees across the Commonwealth to offer presentations and events where Virginians can transcribe the legislative petitions, as well as additional collection materials focused on their localities.

“This is an exciting way to engage the public in understanding the lived experiences of Virginians during the Revolutionary era,” said Librarian of Virginia Dennis T. Clark. “We’re pleased to join the VA250 Commission in elevating this important part of Virginia’s and America’s story.” 

The project culminates with the development of an educational web-based public portal through a partnership with the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University. The Library will prepare Virginia’s teachers to use the portal and related materials through its annual Anne & Ryland Brown Teacher Institute and through coordination with the Department of Education and the state’s social studies curriculum coordinators. 

The portal will remain accessible after the 250th anniversary and will serve as an ongoing legacy of the commemoration. 

Find related images here:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/cny41zo4l9q5gntwsd9pf/ALsXaKiHw1S9Dv0gzvBSO4A?rlkey=rovhi9z0emjqxvz83nl8o7evj&dl=0

###

ABOUT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINIA 
The Library of Virginia is the state’s oldest institution dedicated to the preservation of Virginia’s history and culture. Our online offerings attract nearly 4 million website visits per year, and our resources, exhibitions and events bring in nearly 100,000 visitors each year. The Library’s collections, containing more than 130 million items, document and illustrate the lives of both famous Virginians and ordinary citizens. The Library is located in downtown Richmond near Capitol Square at 800 East Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23219. Learn more at www.lva.virginia.gov.

About VA250
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) was established by the General Assembly in 2020 to commemorate Virginia’s role in the 250th anniversary of American independence. Virginia’s semiquincentennial is about more than just our past; it reflects how our founding continues to shape our present and future. This is why VA250 has chosen “To Form a More Perfect Union” as its theme. VA250’s mission is to educate Virginians, including our students, about our history, our founding ideals and our system of government; to engage every community and all regions in events that tell a complete story; and to inspire Virginians to recommit to the values inherent in American citizenship. Learn more at va250.org.