Welcome to Virginia Explorer: The Revolutionary War in Virginia

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Welcome

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Welcome to The Virginia Explorer: Virginia & the American Revolution! This virtual tour highlights Virginia's unparalleled role in achieving American independence, showcasing iconic sites like Mount Vernon, Yorktown, and Colonial Williamsburg. You'll visit Richmond's St. John's Church, where Patrick Henry's oratory ignited revolutionary fervor, and the Crossing of the Dan, where outnumbered American forces outmaneuvered the British. These places, and many more across the Commonwealth, highlight American triumphs, even as they emphasize the complexity and contradictions of this consequential era and the people who lived through it. As Americans fought for liberty and equality, systems of enslavement and oppression were maintained and perpetuated. An American journey was begun—a two-and-a-half-century journey toward a more perfect union. Venture to the historic places where our national story was written—where ideas and actions brought about a model of democratic government that changed the world.

Colonial Williamsburg

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As the capitol of the Virginia colony, Williamsburg played a critical role leading up to and during the American Revolution. Virginia's colonial government was led by the Royal Governor and the General Assembly. As the first legislative body in British North America, the General Assembly included both the elected House of Burgesses and the appointed Governor's Council. By the 18th century, Virginia's colonial government was largely self-sufficient, handling much of its own regulation and daily governance without much interference by the crown. However, after the French and Indian War, new taxes and regulations imposed by Parliament disrupted the status quo. As these changes took hold, tensions quickly escalated, revealing a fundamental divide between how colonists and British leaders believed government should function. As resistance to British control mounted, Williamsburg continued to be a place where political leaders convened, though there were gatherings of defiance that set the stage for Virginia to lead in the fight for independence.

Colonial Williamsburg 2

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In 18th century Williamsburg, people of different backgrounds—merchants, craftsmen, enslaved people, and free people— worked and lived in a community shaped by both opportunity and struggle. As tensions mounted with England over fundamental rights and the rule of law, Williamsburg became a mixing bowl for different perspectives. Living side by side in the colonial capitol were: Patriots – who resisted British colonial policies, Loyalists, – loyal to the British Crown, and neutrals. Information spread quickly through pamphlets, public meetings, and word of mouth, fueling the growing divide. The Capitol, where the General Assembly met, was the site of the Virginia Convention's vote in May of 1776 to propose independence, defying the British Empire.

Historic St. John's Church

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As tensions grew between the colonies and Great Britain through the 1770s, Virginia held a series of meetings to organize protests against its mother country. In March of 1775, the Second Virginia Convention was held here at what was then called Henrico Parish Church. Among the delegates at the convention were a trio of patriots who would become critical to the success of the American revolution: a voice – Patrick Henry, a pen – Thomas Jefferson, and a sword – George Washington. Beginning in 1763, Patrick Henry delivered daring speeches that attacked the power of the English monarchy and government and advanced colonial rights. As a seasoned lawyer, orator, and fiery patriot, Patrick Henry galvanized the Virginia delegates with his now famous words, "Give me liberty...or give me death!" He argued that only colonial assemblies could make laws for the colonies and urged his fellow patriots to prepare for war with England. The convention marked a turning point in Virginia's commitment to seek independence.

George Washington's Mount Vernon

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George Washington was the "sword" of the American Revolution. In the leadup to the Revolution, Washington supported Virginia's colonial resistance in the House of Burgesses and voiced opposition to British policies. In 1775, he was unanimously chosen to serve as Commander of the Continental Army. He led a defensive campaign for nearly six years, drawing on leadership skills developed in the French and Indian War. His resilience at pivotal moments, like the daring strike at Trenton and the grueling winter at Valley Forge, kept the cause alive. In 1781, Washington's decisive victory at Yorktown secured independence for the new nation.

Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

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Thomas Jefferson can be considered the "pen" of the American Revolution. He carved out a place for himself in the Patriot cause with his formidable writing skills—first with his pamphlet A Summary View of the Rights of British North America in 1774 and later in 1776 when he famously authored the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration, he articulated the concept "all men are created equal," with unalienable rights to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." As Virginia's governor from 1779 to 1781, Jefferson led Virginia during the Revolution first from Williamsburg and then from the new colonial capital in Richmond in 1780. By 1781, faced with British invasions, Jefferson called the General Assembly to Charlottesville but the British marched onward to Monticello, forcing Jefferson to flee. Thomas Jefferson's contributions, both as a writer and leader, left an enduring legacy, but his role also highlights the paradox of advocating liberty while maintaining systems of slavery that contradicted the ideals he so eloquently expressed.

James Madison's Montpelier

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Though James Madison did not serve in combat during the American Revolution, his work shaping the foundations of American government was essential to the revolutionary cause. While the Declaration of Independence was being drafted in 1776, Patriots were already deep in discussions about the documents that would form the backbone of the new nation's government. The colonies faced the monumental task of building a functioning government even as they fought to secure their independence. Madison joined the Virginia Convention that same year, helping draft the state's constitution and championing the right to religious freedom. Later, as a member of the Continental Congress, he was central to debates over the balance between state and federal power, working tirelessly to strengthen the fragile confederation government.

George Mason's Gunston Hall

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Though many may not know his name, countless Americans have been profoundly impacted by the work of George Mason. Mason served in Virginia's House of Burgesses from 1759, where he spoke out strongly against British policies and advocated to protect the rights of colonists. In 1774, he joined George Washington to draft the Fairfax Resolves, a bold statement challenging British rule by boycotting British goods. His most significant contribution came in 1776 with his Virginia Declaration of Rights, a document that advocated for a government by the people and protected individual freedoms. This document not only influenced Jefferson's drafting of the Declaration of Independence but also laid the groundwork for the U.S. Bill of Rights.

James Monroe's Highland

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In 1776, an 18-year-old James Monroe left William & Mary to join the Continental Army's Third Virginia Infantry Regiment, embodying the spirit of the young, bold revolutionaries fighting for American independence. These weren't the older statesmen we often imagine—they were youthful, loud, and rebellious, pushing back against the established order. Monroe quickly rose to the rank of lieutenant, crossing the Delaware with General George Washington and later being wounded at the Battle of Trenton. He endured the hardships of Valley Forge and fought in the Battle of Monmouth.

Abington Muster Grounds

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Situated on the western frontier, the Abingdon Muster Grounds site became a rallying point for Virginia Patriots in 1780 as the Revolution reached deep into the borderlands. Here, local militia gathered to prepare for the threats posed by British Loyalists and their Native American allies. Muster grounds like Abingdon were not just training sites—they were hubs of community and resolve, where men from the backcountry organized, drilled, and steeled themselves for battle. In September 1780, men from Abingdon joined forces with other Overmountain Patriots to confront Major Patrick Ferguson's Loyalist army, leading to a crucial victory at the Battle of Kings Mountain. This victory, achieved by frontiersmen far from the colonial cities, was a pivotal moment in the southern campaign and demonstrated the vital role of the colonial backcountry in the fight for independence.

Smithfield Plantation

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Historic Smithfield offers a unique lens into the American Revolution and its impact on Virginia's frontier. Located on the western edge of the Virginia colony, Smithfield was home to Colonel William Preston, a prominent leader who rallied local support for independence. Despite its distance from the colonial capital in Williamsburg, the area was a hub of political activity. In 1774, Virginia's royal governor, Lord Dunmore, waged a campaign to remove Indigenous people from the land and claim more territory for the colony. This period saw shifting alliances and deepening divides as local Patriots, like Preston, opposed British rule, while some settlers remained loyal to the crown. In 1775, Preston and other Virginia leaders signed the Fincastle Resolutions, pledging resistance to defend colonial liberties. Smithfield Plantation reflects the layered struggles of the Revolutionary period—between Patriots and Loyalists, settlers and Indigenous nations—and how the fight for independence reshaped life on the frontier.

Crossing of the Dan

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On February 14, 1781, General Nathanael Greene led American forces across the Dan River near the Virginia-North Carolina border, executing a retreat that showcased his strategic brilliance. For weeks, British General Cornwallis had chased Greene's smaller, less-equipped force, hoping to crush the southern resistance. But for Greene and many Patriots, this war wasn't about direct confrontation—it was about outwitting and outlasting the British. By crossing the Dan, Greene put a natural barrier between his troops and Cornwallis, gaining time to regroup without risking a major battle. This was a turning point in the southern campaign: the British, stretched thin and struggling with Virginia's rugged terrain, were drawn deeper into Patriot territory. Greene's tactics relied on local support and a war of attrition, gradually wearing down British strength and morale, and setting the stage for future American victories.

Great Bridge Battlefield

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In the months leading up to the Battle of Great Bridge, tensions between the Virginia colonists and the British escalated. Royal governors were tasked with maintaining order and quelling any rebellion or patriotic uprisings against British authority. In Virginia, Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, found his position increasingly precarious as colonial resistance grew. The Battle of Great Bridge, fought on December 9, 1775, was a turning point in Virginia's fight for independence. This quick but decisive Patriot victory forced British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore and his troops to retreat, eventually leading to their evacuation from Virginia. Just four days after the battle, the Virginia Convention adopted its first public declaration of independence, signaling a shift toward open rebellion. The battle itself lasted only about half an hour, but it demonstrated the resilience of the Patriot forces and was the first major success for the American cause in Virginia. The victory also denied the British control of Norfolk, a strategic seaport, and strengthened the Patriots' hold in Virginia.

Norfolk Harbor

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Norfolk Harbor was a key strategic location during the American Revolution, both militarily and economically. As Virginia's largest city and a vital port, Norfolk was highly contested by both the British and the Patriots. In the fall of 1775, British Royal Governor Lord Dunmore recruited white Loyalists from Princess Anne County and the Norfolk area to form the Queen's Own Loyal Virginia Regiment, hoping to establish Norfolk as a Loyalist stronghold. Dunmore also issued a proclamation offering freedom to enslaved men who joined the British, leading to the formation of the Ethiopian Regiment. On January 1, 1776, British forces bombarded Norfolk, and local Patriots set fire to the city to prevent its use as a British military base. This bold move effectively neutralized Norfolk as a port for the British, weakening their hold on Virginia and contributing to their eventual defeat at Yorktown in 1781.

Westover Plantation

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Westover Plantation, owned by the influential Byrd family, highlights the complex loyalties among Virginia's elite during the American Revolution. While many of Virginia's prominent families embraced the Patriot cause, not all were so inclined. William Byrd III, a former military officer and member of the governor's Council, initially supported the British Crown but grew disillusioned after Lord Dunmore's Proclamation offered freedom to enslaved men who joined the British forces. Shifting his allegiance, Byrd then attempted to join the Patriot side but was denied a commission in the Continental Army. In 1777, facing financial and personal turmoil, Byrd took his own life. His widow, Mary Willing Byrd, managed Westover throughout the war and aimed to stay in the good graces of both the British and the Americans. On January 4, 1781, during his invasion of Virginia, Benedict Arnold landed 900 troops at Westover and used it as a base to launch an attack on Richmond, dealing a strategic blow to the Patriot cause.

Yorktown Battlefield

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Fought in 1781, the Battle of Yorktown was the final, decisive victory in the American Revolution. Here, American and French forces led by General George Washington and General Rochambeau trapped British General Charles Cornwallis's army on the Yorktown Peninsula. Key figures like Alexander Hamilton, who led the assault on Redoubt 10, and the Marquis de Lafayette, a young French officer whose leadership and strategic brilliance played a pivotal role in blocking British reinforcements, were instrumental. James Fayette, an enslaved African American spy, provided vital intelligence that helped seal Cornwallis's fate. After intense bombardments and coordinated assaults, Cornwallis was forced to surrender on October 19, 1781. This victory ended major combat, convincing Britain that continuing the fight was futile and leading to the 1783 Treaty of Paris, where Britain recognized American independence. This marked the beginning of a bold new American experiment in self-governance and freedom.

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