Virginia to Commemorate the 250th Anniversary of the Fincastle Resolutions

On January 18, 2025, Virginians will honor a bold chapter in American history: the signing of the Fincastle Resolutions, the first documented declaration in which American colonists vowed to fight for independence. The event, titled “A Salute to Southwest Virginia,” will take place at the O. Winston Link & Roanoke History Museum in Roanoke and promises a day of patriotism, music, and education.

Photo taken at the filming of the documentary Resolved to Live and Die: The Revolutionary Roots of Southwest Virginia at the Willowbrook Jackson/Umberger Homestead Site in Wytheville. (Photo credit: Lisa Fenderson, Blue Ridge PBS

The Fincastle Resolutions: A Defiant Stand for Freedom

The Fincastle Resolutions were adopted on January 20, 1775, by 15 Virginia frontiersmen in present-day Wythe County. This historic declaration voiced full support for the Continental Congress, denounced British tyranny, and committed to a boycott of British trade. These frontiersmen became the first Americans to openly declare that liberty was worth dying for, inspiring Patrick Henry’s famous “Liberty or Death” speech two months later.

“These were strong-willed folks who really did not like being told what to do,” said Eric Monday, a historian with the VA250 Commission. “That defiant frontier spirit lives on in the people of Southwest Virginia today.”

Their brave actions not only inspired revolutionary fervor but also set the stage for Virginia’s leadership in the fight for independence.

Event Highlights

The 250th-anniversary event will feature:

• Patriotic Music: Performances by the VMI Regimental Band and the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, including the debut of the VA250 Fanfare by Broadway composer David Chase.
• Historical Reenactments: A dramatic horseback reenactment of William Christian delivering the Fincastle Resolutions to Williamsburg.
• Speakers and Ceremonies:
  • Master of Ceremonies Joe Dashiell, Senior Reporter for WDBJ7.
  • A keynote address by Carly Fiorina, VA250 National Honorary Chair.
  • A flag presentation by the Virginia SAR Color Guard.
  • A dramatic reading of the Fincastle Resolutions by local students.
• New Exhibits and Museum Launches:
  • Grand opening of three exhibits at the Roanoke History Museum.
  • Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the VA250 Mobile Museum Experience.

The event is free, family-friendly, and will be live-streamed for those unable to attend in person.

Virginia’s Role in Independence

The Fincastle Resolutions are a testament to the courage and vision of Virginia’s early settlers. By the end of 1775, their defiance had helped drive the Royal Governor from Virginia, paving the way for the colonies to declare independence in 1776.

The Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), established to commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, has worked to ensure this milestone celebrates not just the achievements of the Revolution but the diverse stories that shaped Virginia’s role in forming the United States.

Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate the enduring legacy of the Fincastle Resolutions and honor the brave frontiersmen whose actions helped ignite the spirit of American liberty.