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.
Start your summer where the Revolution started.
Virginia Resolved: June 6 & 7
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. Stay tuned for more details and the full event schedule. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive updates and start planning a revolutionary weekend like none other.
Saturday, June 6
- Live Music
- Food & Refreshments
- Keynote Speech
- Fireworks Show
Sunday, June 7
- Citizenship Ceremony
- Lee Family Interpreters
- US Light Dragoon Cavalry Drills
- Living History Demonstrations
- Colonial Music Performances
- Community Partner Booths
- Food & Activities
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 Resolved 2025 Gallery
