The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, or VA250, was established by the General Assembly in 2020 to lead the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the independence of the United States in the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the former colonies and future states, where much of the nation’s history took place. At the local level, this commemoration is coordinated by city and county committees. The Newport News VA250 Committee members are:
Anne Miller, Superintendent of Historic Services, Newport News Parks and Recreation (Committee chair)
Robin Boyd, Senior Marketing Coordinator, Newport News Department of Development
Jennifer Kohms, Tourism Development Coordinator, Newport News Tourism
David H. Niebuhr, Chief Operating Officer, The Virginia Living Museum
Sheri Shuck-Hall, Professor of History, Director, Public History Center, Christopher Newport University
Luisa A. Vázquez-López, Senior Director of Advancement, The Mariners’ Museum and Park
From its founding ideals to its leading figures, more of what made America happen, happened here in Virginia. This makes Virginia the ideal place to learn about our nation’s beginnings, no matter what state you call home.
In Virginia, the American Revolution was more than a war. It was a revolution of ideas, a challenge to govern, interact, and even think differently. That challenge has continued for almost 250 years, inspiring Virginian presidents, civil rights leaders, artists, scientists, engineers, authors, educators, inventors, and more to create a more perfect union.
The Newport News VA250 committee is eager to hear what your neighborhood or organization has planned to commemorate the anniversary! Please reach out to us at nnhistoricsites@nnva.gov. For more information about VA250, visit http://www.va250.org.
Upcoming events in Newport News include:
Two Lights for Tomorrow is a nationwide initiative to launch the celebration of the 250th birthday of the United States of America. The famous ride of Paul Revere occurred overnight on April 18-19, 1775. Two Lights for Tomorrow uses the imagery of those shining lights 250 years ago as a call to action today for citizens, no matter where they are, to remind ourselves that our history is about working together for a better tomorrow.
Everyone can participate! All you have to do is display two lights in your homes, at your businesses, your cultural, historical, and community sites, and in your government buildings on the evening of April 18, 2025 to raise awareness and draw attention to our constant endeavor as a nation to work together for a better tomorrow! In private homes, local communities, and statehouses alike, two lights will remind us all of the importance to come together to form a more perfect union.
Virginians may participate in this initiative from April 11-22, but Newport News residents and business owners are asked to join together in displaying two lights on April 18. For more information and to view other participating cities, please visit https://va250.org/two-lights/. Community members who wish to participate may visit the Virginia War Museum April 16-18 from 9am to 4pm for a free pair of battery-operated candles, as supplies last.
Park Day and National Historic Marker Day
Historic Endview, Saturday, April 26, 8:45am-12:30pm
On Saturday, April 26, Historic Endview will celebrate two important annual events: the American Battlefield Trust’s Park Day and National Historic Marker Day. Both offer an opportunity for community members to get hands-on with our beautiful historic property and the historic markers that recognize significant people, events, and places around us.
Volunteers are invited to Historic Endview to help remove trash from the fields and lawns, perform seasonal maintenance of the Nature Trail, and clean historic markers and signs. All supplies will be provided. Volunteer check-in will occur between 8:30am and 9:00am. Projects will be ongoing from 9:00am to noon, but we are grateful for any amount of time volunteers can spend with us!
Volunteers are welcome to take a complimentary tour of the historic house at any time during the day. They are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and gather for fellowship at noon. Desserts and water will be provided. From 12:15pm to 12:30pm, a historian will give a special presentation about Historic Endview.
To ensure we have adequate supplies and equipment, please let us know if you plan to volunteer by emailing Jamie Mesrobian at mesrobianje@nnva.gov by April 21.