Chesterfield County and its many local partners are continuing to work on a host of upcoming events and celebrations as America begins it 250th anniversary in earnest this year.
The list of upcoming events begins this week, as county residents have a great opportunity on Thursday to get a glimpse of the tall ships as they pass by the bluff at Henricus around midday.
The classic vessels will be in the region as part of Richmond SailFest, a Sail Virginia 2026 Affiliate Harbor event that is hosted by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Kicking off Central Virginia’s countdown to America’s 250th anniversary, the area will host several impressive tall ships along with dockside entertainment and concessions. This free, family-friendly, weekend-long festival will feature ship tours, live music and performances, historical re-enactors, exhibitions of history and art, and much more.
Next month, Chesterfield Parks and Recreation is planning on including a number of 250th elements as part of this year’s annual July 4th event at the County Fairgrounds (10300 Courthouse Road), which is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., culminating with a grand fireworks display. The RevWar250 portion of the program will include living history, reenactments, patriotic music and much more.
There are also a pair of VA250 events coming up soon including:
Common Sense: The Virginia Declaration of Rights
Monday, June 29, 6:30-7:30 p.m. at LaPrade Library (9000 Hull Street Road)
History comes to life through music and audience participation while you explore Thomas Paine’s writings and the creation of the Virginia Declaration of Rights in 1776. This program is presented in conjunction with the Chesterfield County's 250 Revolutionary War Committee.
VA250: Petticoat Patriots of the American Revolution
Thursday, July 9, 6-7 p.m. at Bon Air Library (9301 Rattlesnake Road)
Explore the women of the American Revolution, organizers, writers, and soldiers who shaped the fight for independence, from Martha Washington and Abigail Adams to Sybil Ludington and Deborah Sampson. This program is presented in conjunction with the Chesterfield County's 250 Revolutionary War Committee.
Lastly, as the nation celebrates its 250th birthday, local residents also have an opportunity to honor a Revolutionary War soldier in perpetuity.
Chesterfield Courthouse was one of the largest training areas for Continental troops during the Revolutionary War, as the soldiers who trained there experienced brutal conditions in the winter of 1780-81 and played a vital role in many battles including the Siege of Yorktown in the fall of 1781.
Chesterfield County and the Chesterfield Historical Society of Virginia have teamed up to install bricks with the names of Revolutionary War soldiers engraved on them to create a memorial walkway and plaza. The plaza, which will be adjacent to the 1917 Historic Courthouse near Wagners Way, will feature engraved pavers to commemorate soldiers from Chesterfield County and elsewhere who trained here during the Revolutionary war, also known as “The Valley Forge of the South.” Additionally, a Daughters of the American Revolution historical marker and benches will be installed.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this special project! For more information on this project, visit the Chesterfield Historical Society website.
For more information on Chesterfield’s ongoing RevWar250 celebrations, head over to chesterfield.gov/Rev250.
