Support Vienna’s Celebrations for the 250th Anniversary of the USA: 1776 to 2026
It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reflect, imagine, and shape how we celebrate this historic milestone here in Vienna. If you would like to help serve on the planning committee, or have ideas on what we could do, please email uvfgbevpivraanin@tznvy.pbz. Activities will include:
- Entertainment
- Kids activities
- Educational events
- Exhibits
- Speakers
- Re-enactments
Deeply Rooted in the Land: African American Legacies in Fairfax County, Virginia. February 28, 2026 at 1-3pm
To celebrate Black History Month, please join us for a presentation of “Deeply Rooted in the Land: African-American Legacies in Fairfax County, Virginia“.
Guest Speaker: Krystyn Moon, PhD, Professor of History & American Studies, University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, VA
Ms. Moon will present her research on the history of segregationist housing practices during the early-to-mid-twentieth century and how Black families, despite the adversity that they faced, continued to own land in Fairfax County. Special attention will be given to the role that Vienna has played in this history.
Location: Vienna Community Center, Community Room, 120 Cherry Street SE, Vienna
This event is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.
Virginia Women and the Revolution. An Evening of Dramatic Monologues. March 7, 2026, 7pm
In celebration of Women’s History Month and Vienna’s celebration of America 250, your local area AAUW (American Association of University Women) and ViennaVA250 is featuring a special performance of Virginia Women and the Revolution.
Women from the Vienna area will deliver dramatic monologues portraying seven Virginia women of various ages, political persuasions, and socio-economic groups during the American Revolution. Most of the women’s contributions have been relatively unknown—until now. The presenters will bring the American Revolution alive with an immediacy that will engage and inform the audience.
- Casey Abbott, Madison High School junior
- Stephanie Allen, Madison High School junior
- Linda Colbert, Mayor
- Celeste Gregory, AAUW
- Amy Lane, Bards Alley Bookshop
- Nadine James, Louise Archer teacher (ret.), AAUW
- Sylvia Taylor, Louise Archer teacher (ret.)
Location: This free event is being held at the Vienna Community Center’s Auditorium located at 120 Cherry Street, SE, Vienna.
For more information on this event please contact Kristin Moyer (xpzblre65@tznvy.pbz) or Kris Vajs (Xevfgva.inwf@tznvy.pbz)
Archer Overture – Sunday, March 22, 2026 at 3pm
The Vienna Community Band has created the Archer Overture in honor of Louise Archer, to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday and the band’s 50th anniversary. It will be performed on March 22, at 3pm at Oakton High School’s Auditorium, 2900 Sutton Rd, Vienna.
Vienna250 / Bards Alley Author Series, March 29 at 2pm
Throughout the year, Bards Alley and the Vienna250 Committee are cohosting a series of author events. The first event, on March 29, celebrates Women’s History month with Cassandra Good. In her book, “First Family: George Washington’s Heirs and the Making of America” Cassandra shows how the outspoken step-grandchildren of Washington played an overlooked, but important role in the development of American society and politics from the Revolution to the Civil War. Copies of her book will be available for purchase and signing. The next event will be on Sunday, May 31 at 2pm, with Derek Baxter, discussing his new book, “The Forgotten World Way: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution, from Spain to India and Back Again”.
To purchase a copy of Ms. Good’s book, please contact Bards Alley at https://www.bardsalley.com/
Location: Vienna Police Station, Community Room, 215 Center St. S
Charles Broadwater Day, May 17, 2026 at 2pm
Vienna’s most notable Revolutionary era figure, Colonel Charles Broadwater, will be honored along with other locals who fought for our freedom at this special Vienna250 event on May 17 at 2pm. The program will include a brief history of local participation, an honor guard, period music and more.
Location: Broadwater Gravesite, Corner of Tapawingo Rd. and Frederick St. SW, Vienna
Vienna250 / Bards Alley Author Series, May 31 at 2pm
Throughout the year, Bards Alley and the Vienna250 Committee are cohosting a series of author events. This May event will feature Derek Baxter, discussing his new book “The Forgotten World Way: Exploring the Secret History of the American Revolution, from Spain to India and Back Again”. Copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing.
To purchase a copy of Mr. Baxter’s book, please contact Bards Alley at https://www.bardsalley.com/
Location: Vienna Police Station, Community Room, 215 Center St. S
Colors of Liberty: A Colonial Faire & Ice Cream Social, June 14, 2026 at 12-4pm
Details on this special, family friendly event are still in process. Please check back for updated information.
Vienna250 / Bards Alley Author Series, June 20 at 2pm
Throughout the year, Bards Alley and the Vienna250 Committee are cohosting a series of author events. This June event celebrates Juneteenth with Gayle Jessup White, author of “Reclamation: Sally Hemings, Thomas Jefferson, and a Descendant’s Search for Her Family’s Lasting Legacy.”
Ms. Jessup White is a Black descendant of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings and her book explores America’s racial reckoning through the prism of her ancestors—both the enslaver and the enslaved. Ms. Jessup White had long heard the stories passed down from her father’s family, that they were direct descendants of Thomas Jefferson. For four decades the acclaimed journalist and genealogy enthusiast researched her connection to Thomas Jefferson, to confirm its truth once and for all. After much research, she learned that not only was she a descendant of Jefferson on his father’s side; she was also the great-great-great-granddaughter of Peter Hemings, Sally Hemings’s brother. Today, Ms. Jessup White is Public Relations & Community Engagement Officer at the Thomas Jefferson Foundation, the non-profit organization that owns and operates Monticello. She is the first descendant of Jefferson and the families he enslaved to be employed by the Foundation. Her book is available for purchase at Bards Alley and at the author talk.
To purchase a copy of Ms. Jessup White’ s book, please contact Bards Alley at https://www.bardsalley.com/
Location: Vienna Community Center Auditorium, 120 Cherry Street SE.
The American Revolution Virtual Discussions: Jan 13, Jan 27, Feb 10, 2026
Vienna250 is hosting a series of virtual discussions of Ken Burns’ new documentary “The American Revolution”. These moderated discussions will be led by history buffs, historians, and local authors, and be an opportunity to gather virtually to discuss each episode.
Discussions will be held on Tuesdays at 7pm on:
January 13 (episodes 1 and 2), moderated by Blane Ampthor, history lecturer and educator.
January 27 (episodes 3 and 4), moderated by Vienna historian Greg Weaver.
February 10 (episodes 5 and 6), moderated by local history author Derek Baxter.
Participants are encouraged to watch the episodes before attending the discussion. Attendance is not required at all meetings.
Join Zoom Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84865122433?pwd=QvFagYukJ3WWWfHIagS02AOVHVOFQb.1
Meeting ID: 848 6512 2433
Passcode: 785965
One tap mobile:
+16469313860,,84865122433#,,,,*785965# US
+13017158592,,84865122433#,,,,*785965# US (Washington DC)
For more information about Vienna250, please email Ivraan250gu@tznvy.pbz
