“Almighty God! I know not what course others may take,” says the Patrick Henry hologram as visitors enter the museum. “But as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Henry gave his famous speech 250 years ago in a Richmond church and has been brought to life in the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience. The museum is an expandable tractor-trailer traveling the state with the message “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One” to teach about Virginia’s significant role leading to the Revolutionary War and after.
“This shows that the ideas and the ideals were formed here in Virginia,” said Cheryl Wilson, executive director of the VA250 Commission. “There were many events here before the Declaration of Independence in 1776.”
The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission was created by the General Assembly and is tied to the anniversary of the declaration's signing next year.
The interactive museum offers stories of famous and not-so-famous Virginians including Portsmouth’s Billy Flora, an African American who fought in the Battle of Great Bridge at the start of the war.
It contains stories of Indigenous people and the love-hate relationship with colonists in Jamestown.
Visitors can learn about how women participated, such as working in army camps and managing businesses while men joined militias. Shawnee warrior and chief Nonhelema believed staying neutral would be best for her tribe and supported the colonists. She was an interpreter in negotiations between white settlers and other tribes and warned settlers of pending British attacks.
“The various displays allow visitors to pick their own experience,” she said.
The museum debuted in January at Fincastle Resolutions 250th Anniversary in Roanoke. The resolutions were an early formal call against British rule.
Wilson aims to reach middle school students at their schools or community events, though the museum has something for all ages.
“In teaching about Virginia’s history, we want to inspire the next generation,” she said.
The museum will make several local stops this year and next, the earliest at The Williamsburg Lodge in Colonial Williamsburg, March 24 through 26. Groups can apply for the museum to visit schools or events. The deadline to apply is March 3. Visit va250.org/mobile-museum-hosting for more information.
