About 20 people participated in the Northern Neck 250's August 16 open house to gather ideas for themes and activities for the commemoration of the founding of the United States.
Attendees represented a variety of historic sites, tourism organizations and businesses, and members of the public. Four themes emerged from the conversations:
- Power of Place – The Northern Neck is a powerfully historic place, home to sites and stories essential to our American story. The 250th commemoration encourages us to reexamine ideas about the natural and built environment.
- We the People – We are a democratic nation of diverse people with different cultures, political ideas, and beliefs. This contributes to both tension and growth in American society.
- American Experiment – Engaging diverse voices in discussion about our democracy’s highest ideals strengthens our understanding, inspires action, and encourages us all to participate in shaping the ongoing American experiment.
- Preservation and Commemoration – The ways the natural and cultural landscapes from the time of the American Revolution have been valued and managed has evolved over time.
More info about the event is in the August 16 open house recap press release.
The goals of the Northern Neck 250 Committee are to lay the groundwork for an inclusive, partnership-based commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary in the Northern Neck region and strengthen regional partnerships and build toward cohesive branding of the Northern Neck that will live beyond the 250th celebrations.
To submit ideas, use the online form. For more information, call (804) 333-1919.