America's 250th
Raised within these walls,
statesman Richard Henry Lee first proposed independence from Britain on June 7, 1776; his brother Francis Lightfoot Lee joined him in signing the Declaration of Independence that started the rationale for revolution. Their eldest sister Hannah Lee Corbin urged her brothers to extend the principle of “no taxation without representation” to property-owning women. Meanwhile, sister Alice Lee Shippen canvassed Philadelphia soliciting contributions in support of the Continental Army. While war raged at home brother William Lee acted as commercial agent for the Continental Congress in French ports, and youngest brother Arthur Lee collected political intelligence abroad before being appointed co-commissioner to the court of Louis XVI, where he signed the 1778 Treaty of Alliance that brought France decisively into the war on the American side. Their cousin Henry “Light-Horse Harry” Lee III distinguished himself in the Army, winning a congressional medal for his command at the Battle of Paulus Hook.
250th Events at Stratford Hall
June 6 & 7: Virginia Resolved
On June 7, 1776, acting on the instructions of the 5th Virginia Convention, Northern Neck native Richard Henry Lee introduced in the 2nd Continental Congress a resolution “That these United Colonies are, and of right out to be, free and independent States… and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and out to be, totally dissolved.” Less than a month later, he and his brother Francis Lightfoot Lee, would become the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence, which incorporated the Lee Resolution and explained the reasons for it.
In 2026, celebrate the 250th anniversary of Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution for Independence with Stratford Hall Historic Preserve, Westmoreland County, and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission! Plan for a weekend of revolutionary activity–living history interpreters and demonstrations, cavalry drills, historic speeches, a citizenship ceremony, fireworks, and plenty of food, music, and family fun.
Mark your calendar for June 6 & 7, 2026 and start your summer where the Revolution started!
July 4: Independence Day at Stratford Hall
Each 4th of July, we celebrate Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee, the only two brothers to have signed the Declaration of Independence. Colonial music fills the halls of the Great House, families gather for games and crafts on the lawn, and picnic blankets are spread out beneath the shade of our serene tree line.
Visit us on July 4, 2026 to join in on the festivities and enjoy one of five self-guided audio tours of the Great House.
July 9-12: Teachers Seminar - Riotous Assemblies: From Resistance to Revolution
Calling all teachers! Join us at historic Stratford Hall Historic Preserve to explore how enslaved, ordinary, and elite people contested imperial power through organized resistance. From boycotts and petitions to crowd actions, clandestine networks, and material sabotage, this seminar examines the mechanisms of popular dissent that shaped the path to independence—and their continuing relevance in free societies today. This is a unique opportunity to deepen your understanding of resistance history while gaining practical tools to engage students in critical discussions about protest and social change.
What does the Seminar include? Onsite presentations from leading scholars, an immersive travel-study excursion (stay tuned for location announcement!), and dedicated K–12 workshops translating historical insights into dynamic classroom lessons.
What’s covered? Meals, excursion costs, and single-room accommodations onsite at Stratford Hall are provided at no charge. We do request a $50 nonrefundable deposit to reserve your space upon acceptance to the Seminar.
Applications open February 1. Learn more and apply on our Teacher Seminar homepage.
Fall 2026: NNK250 Discovery Symposium
Stratford Hall was proud to host the Northern Neck 250 Discovery Symposium: “We the People” on October 3 & 4, 2025. An inspiring Friday evening keynote lecture by Dr. John A Ragosta, titled “Learning to Deal with Dissent: The New Nation in Crisis, 1798-1799” began the Symposium. Events continued on Saturday morning with a Preservation Tour by Phil Mark, Senior Director of Preservation & Maintenance, giving participants the opportunity to explore the eras of construction and restoration both inside and outside the storied Great House brick walls. We thank our partner organizations and historic sites for their contributions to a number of exciting Northern Neck discoveries shared on Saturday afternoon:
- Sara Rivers Cofield, Curator of Federal Collections at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory
- Kerry Gonzalez, Chief of Cultural Resource Management at the George Washington Birthplace National Monument
- Katie Shepard, Chief of Education and Interpretation at Virginia State Parks
- Dr. Lauren McMillan, Cultural Resource Manager at Virginia State Parks
- Dave Myers, Park Manager at Westmoreland State Park
- Connie Rosemont, Executive Director of the Menokin Foundation
- Dr. Julia King, Professor of Anthropology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland
- Dr. Douglas Sanford, Professor Emeritus of Historic Preservation at the University of Mary Washington
This event was made possible in part by a grant from the VA250 – American Revolution 250 Commission in partnership with Virginia Humanities.
Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive updates on the NNK250 Discovery Symposium returning in the fall of 2026.
Watch Our Series on the Revolution-era Lees
Enjoy this three-part video series on the Lees and the journey to independence, written and recorded by Dr. Gordon Blaine Steffey, and made possible with support from Americana Corner’s Preserving America Grant program and the Comegys Bight Charitable Foundation.
The Lee Resolution
On June 7, 1776, acting on instruction from the 5th Virginia Convention, Richard Henry Lee of Stratford Hall and Chantilly stood in Congress and offered an earth-shaking resolution proposing independence from Great Britain. Watch to learn more about the Lee Resolution, which was adopted by Congress on July 2, 1776, two days before the Declaration of Independence incorporating the Lee Resolution and explaining the reasons for it was adopted.
Arthur Lee and the Shot Heard Round the World
On April 19, 1775, British regulars under orders to seize colonists’ military stores at Concord encountered 77 local militiamen on Lexington Green. There, American eyewitnesses later insisted the regulars opened fire without provocation. Watch to learn more about the race to control the story of what really happened at Lexington & Concord in the days following and how Stratford-born Arthur Lee was involved.
The Leedstown Resolutions
The Leedstown Resolutions was a pivotal document on the road to independence drafted by Stratford’s Richard Henry Lee and signed by Richard Henry and three of his brothers: Francis Lightfoot, Thomas Ludwell, and William Lee.
Virginia 250 Passport
Stratford Hall is a proud Commemorative Partner of Virginia’s American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250).
Through December 31, 2026, Virginia 250 Passport holders can receive their one-time 15% admission discount and stamp at Stratford Hall! Passports are available free of charge and first-come, first-served at five Signature Passport Sites (Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Monticello, and Mount Vernon); the VA250 Mobile Museum and select VA250 events; and Virginia Tourism Corporation’s 12 Welcome Centers across the Commonwealth. Available in-person only; this offer cannot be redeemed online. Learn more and start your journey at VirginiaHistory.org/Virginia-Passport-250.
