Exhibit details Revolutionary War

Fifes and drums, played by youths, were prominent in the the American Revolution as were flags and the upheaval of lives, including those of Indigenous People. A celebration of these and the Fincastle Resolutions that spurred the Revolutionary War is the focus of exhibits that opened Jan. 18 at the Roanoke History and Link Museums.

The opening ceremony recognized a pivotal moment in American history and introduced a new mobile museum that will travel across the Commonwealth.

The Virginia 250 Commission organized the program at the museum and exhibits were designed by curator Ashley Webb. The Fincastle Resolutions, signed on Jan. 20, 1775, in what is now Wythe County are prominent in the displays. The signers put in writing for the first time they were willing to fight and die for the cause of freedom.

Roanoke attorney Eric Monday, who represents the Virginia Bar Association for the commission, points out that Virginia and The American Revolution are central to the period. “Virginia’s history is America’s story and, honestly, that really is true. When you look back at the Revolutionary Era and the names of the people that were really instrumental in the founding of this country, the majority of them are Virginians. They called it ‘The Virginia Dynasty.’ Four of the first five presidents of the United States – they were all Virginians,” he told media in interviews.

“What that was, was out here on the frontier, a group of frontiersmen put down on paper for the very first time – it was southwestern Virginians – that were the first to say they were willing to take up arms and fight for their liberty.”

The exhibits are open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eric Monday’s collection of Revolutionary War flags is prominent in the exhibits.

For information about other state events contact VA250 at https://va250.org/localevents/