The Northern Neck has many links to the historic origins of the country. In honor of the nation’s 250 anniversary, Stratford Hall will be hosting a major event on the 6th and 7th of June–Virginia Resolved–celebrating a precursor to the Declaration of Independence.

The groundbreaking event took place on June 7, 1776, when Richard Henry Lee of Stratford Hall, who was acting on the instruction of the 5th Virginia Convention, presented the Lee Resolution that proposed cutting ties with Great Britain. This would be adopted on July 2 that same year. Two days later, on the 4th of July, the Declaration of Independence was adopted.

On June 6, at Stratford Hall, the grounds, Great House, and the Visitor Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for regular admission, and the Virginia 250 Mobile Museum will be on site. At 2 p.m., there will also be a wreath laying at Richard Henry Lee’s gravesite at the Burnt House Field Cemetery, and a plaque will be dedicated to Richard Henry Lee’s wives.

The main event begins around 6 p.m. when the food trucks as well as Ingleside Vineyards and Al Pugh Distributing will begin serving. After enjoying food, libations, and music, the Virginia Resolved stage program will touch off.

The itinerary includes musical performances by the United States Navy Concert Band, Richard Henry Lee and his Resolution for Independence, and speakers, including Carly Fiorina, the VA250 National Honorary Chair. This is all slated to be capped off by a cannonade of fireworks.

June 7th will see the Hall play host to a citizenship ceremony at noon and a host of demonstrations across the Hall’s grounds as the Virginia Resolved Living History Program kicks into high gear with cavalry drills by the 1st and 4th Continental Light Dragoons, musket demonstrations from the Sons of the American Revolution, milling demonstrations at the gristmill, chocolate demonstrations at the gift shop, colonial foodways demonstrations at the Hall kitchen, a dancing demonstration by the Rappahannock Colonial Heritage Society, and much more.

This ticketed event will be free to Westmoreland County residents, Friends of Stratford, Blue Star Families, and participants in Museums for All. Lawn chairs and blankets are encouraged.

Potomac River Festival

Virginia Resolved isn’t the only time in June that will see the Northern Neck awash in the smell of black powder and chordite. The following weekend Colonial Beach will kick off its 75th annual Potomac River Festival on June 12 with its fireman’s parade at 7:30 p.m. and a beauty pageant taking place at the Town Hill Stage immediately after.

The main event will be on the 13th with the Grande Feature Parade at noon being the highlight. From then on, people can enjoy vendors at the Boardwalk and Town Hill as well as the kids zone, beer and wine sales, and live music on Town Hill. When the sun goes down, there will be a massive fireworks barrage at the Town Pier.

The vendors will return to the Boardwalk and Town Hill for a final time on June 14th, as do the beer and wine sales, along with the kids zone at Town Hill, which will also feature the River Idol & Talent Show on the Town Hill stage, along with a decorated bicycle contest.

June is going to be a very celebratory month.