America 250
The America 250 is about commemorating and celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026.
Virginia played an important role in the formation of our nation. There's a 250 Virginia site with more details on this.
Our immediate region within Virginia is known as the Northern Neck and there's a local 250NNK organization.
The important historical sites in the Colonial Beach area include:
Of the 56 delegates that signed the Declaration of Independence, seven signed for Virginia, and two more (John Penn of Caroline County and George Walton of Cumberland County) signed for other states but were born in Virginia. Two of the signers were brothers from right here in Westmoreland County!
- George Wythe - born in Elizabeth City County (now Hampton, VA)
- Thomas Jefferson - born in Shadwell, VA
- Francis Lightfoot Lee - born at Stratford Hall
- Richard Henry Lee - born at Stratford Hall
- Benjamin Harrison, V. - born in Charles City County, VA at Berkeley Plantation
- Thomas Nelson, Jr. - born in Yorktown, VA
- Carter Braxton - born in Newington, VA (Fairfax County)
Local America 250 events in 2025
October 3 & 4:
This year's NNK250 Discovery Symposium: "We the People" will take place October 3-4 with a medley of events highlighting new and exciting research findings on Northern Neck topics. Attendees are welcome to join us for any individual event or get a $25 All-Access Pass for the whole weekend!
- Friday at 6:30 p.m. Award-winning historian, Dr. John A. Ragosta, will present "Learning to Deal with Dissent: The New Nation in Crisis, 1798-1799" in the Council House at Stratford Hall. | $15
- Saturday at 9:30 a.m. The George Washington Birthplace National Monument will host a "behind-the-curtain" tour of the Memorial House. | FREE
- Saturday at 11:00 a.m. Stratford Hall will host a preservation-focused tour of its Great House with Phil Mark, Director of Preservation. | $15
- Saturday at 1:00 p.m. In the Stratford Hall Council House, historians, archaeologists, and local experts will offer several short presentations on new historical research and discoveries in the Northern Neck. The panels will conclude by 4 p.m. | FREE
Notable historical events in our zip code include
The Leedstown Resolves - Signed at Old Bray's Church by 115 residents of Westmoreland Country on February 27, 1766, the resolves established the Westmoreland Association, obstructing the enforcement of the Stamp Act which stated that nearly all documents were to be printed on special paper bearing an embossed stamp. This paper was required to be purchased from a network of stamp distributors.
1775 - News of Lexington and Concord broke in Great Britain through Arthur Lee.
June 7, 1776 - Richard Henry Lee formally proposed independence from Great Britain in Congress Hall, Philadelphia, PA
1776 - Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee signed the Declaration of Independence
1778 - Arthur Lee signed the Treaty of Alliance with France, which brought the French openly into the war on the American side.
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