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
January 18: The Annual Lee Lecture
“The Road Home: Light-Horse Harry Lee’s Return from the Revolutionary War” with Dr. Edward G. Lengel
Sunday, January 18, 2026 | 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | Stratford Hall Council House | $10 ($5 for Friends of Stratford members)
War hero. Virginia Governor. Father of Robert E. Lee. In advance of his new book on Henry Lee III, Dr. Edward G. Lengel will help us to understand the challenges “Light-Horse” Harry Lee faced in his personal life, business, and the young country’s fiercely divided politics in the 1780s and 1790s. Join us in the Council House for this can’t-miss lecture to start off America’s Semiquincenntial at Stratford Hall. This lecture may be joined virtually, in which case a Zoom Webinar link will be sent to registrants who select “Virtual Admission” prior to the event. Members can receive their discount code by calling (804) 493-8919 or emailing rpitts@stratfordhall.org.
Edward G. Lengel is an award-winning historian and educator. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, where he directed the Washington Papers Project for many years, and subsequently worked in senior positions in the public history field. Also a professional author, speaker and battlefield tour guide, Lengel has written fourteen books on American history. These include the official history of Colonial Williamsburg; General George Washington: A Military Life; To Conquer Hell: The Meuse-Argonne, 1918; and Never in Finer Company: The Men of the Great War’s Lost Battalion. Lengel is a co-recipient of the National Humanities Medal and has won two writing awards from the Army Historical Foundation. He makes frequent television and radio appearances.
June 7: Virginia Resolved - A Commemoration of Independence
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 motion to recognize the Colonies as “free and independent states” and “dissolve all political connection” between them and Great Britain. Stratford Hall commemorated the 249th anniversary of this singular event on June 7, 2025 with a citizenship ceremony, musket demonstrations, cavalry drills, Colonial music, and a number of living history activities. This brand new signature event for Stratford Hall was made possible in part by the Jessie Ball DuPont Fund and the Northern Neck 250 Committee.
Stay tuned for an exciting announcement on the 250th anniversary of the Lee Resolution on Sunday, June 7, 2026!
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 8 -11: 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.
