Background

During the 2020 Session, the Virginia General Assembly passed, and the Governor signed, legislation to establish the American Revolution 250th Commission within the executive branch of state government. The purpose of the Commission is to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States. On October 9, 2020, Governor Northam released the names of the appointees for Virginia’s American Revolution 250th Commission. The legislation also mandated that George Mason’s Gunston Hall would appoint and establish an Advisory Council composed of non-legislative citizen members.

The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved a seven person Semiquincentennial workgroup led by Gunston Hall including representatives from Visit Fairfax, Mount Vernon Estate, National Museum of the US Army, George Mason University, Fairfax County History Commission, Fairfax County Human Rights Committee, along with associated County history, equity and human rights staff members.  The workgroup was charged with providing recommendations to this Board of the preferred approach for organizing and leading county-related efforts for the inclusive observance and celebration. Recommendations included high level SMART goals related to planning, promotion, types of civic, cultural, historical and educational activities, ways, means, timetables, approaches and accountability. For more details on the Board of Supervisors' request, please review the October 20, 2020 Joint Board Matter.

Through a Board Authorization on July 27, 2021, the Semiquincentennial Work Group has transitioned to the Fairfax County 250th Commission, which will remain in existence through June 30, 2027.

The purpose of the 250th Commission is to implement the preferred approach for organizing and leading County-wide efforts for an inclusive observance, celebration, and commemoration of the Semiquincentennial anniversary of the American Revolution, the Revolutionary War, and the Independence of the United States of America.

Meeting Information

The Fairfax County 250th Commission generally meets from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at the Fairfax County Government Center - 12000 Government Center Parkway. The Commission’s various committees meet on an as-needed basis.