The Lees and Independence

Richard Henry Lee

June 6, 2009

FREE to the public, this signature event begins at 3:00 p.m. Please join us for a delightful, family-oriented evening of music, games, and food.

29th U. S. Army Band

The highlight of the evening's entertainment will be a concert by the 29th Army Band on the south lawn of the Great House at 7:00 p.m. If it rains, the concert will be moved to the Council House on a first come, first served basis.

In conjunction with the day's events, at 2:00 p.m. a wreath laying ceremony at Burnt House Field at Hague, Virginia, will be hosted by the descendants of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee were the only two brothers to sign the Declaration.

There will be a Revolutionary encampment by the First Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line from 3 to 7:00 p.m. and firing demonstrations at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Drilling activity for kids

Children's activities and games will be held from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and, Frank Megargee from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a Richard Henry Lee re-enactor, will give a presentation at 5:00 p.m. on the Lees' contributions toward independence. Colonial games will be hosted by the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society. Children can have their photographs taken in colonial costumes, sign a Declaration using a quill pen, and try out their aptitude for military drilling.

From 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. John T. Phillips II will do a book signing for his two books: George Washington's Rules of Civility and Colonial Laws of Virginia. Books will be available for purchase at the signing in the Plantation Gift Shop.

Continental Line Firing

Everyone is encouraged to bring chairs and blankets for seating during the concert. Please do not bring pets, coolers, knapsacks, backpacks, baskets, food and drink, or alcoholic beverages. The Plantation Dining Room will be closed, but will be serving a limited menu of food items from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on the Oval, including hamburgers, hotdogs, BBQs, cole slaw, potato chips, homemade ginger cookies, bottled water, and soft drinks.

Great House tours (last tour begins at 4:00 p.m.) will be the regular price of admission and are not included in the special event activities.

This is a yearly program that focuses on the contributions of the Lee family to the Revolutionary period and the eventual independence of the country., including Richard Henry Lee's resolution presented to the 2nd Continental Congress on June 7, 1776, making a motion to formally declare the independence of the colonies:

"Resolved, That these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. That it is expedient forthwith to take the most effectual measures for forming foreign Alliances. That a plan of confederation be prepared and transmitted to the respective Colonies for their consideration and approbation."

The resolution led to the writing and subsequent adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Please contact Laura Lawfer, Assistant Director of Education, with questions. (804) 493-8038, ext. 1920.