VLS Resources
On This June Day in American History
On June 17th, 1885 The French gift to the United States “The Statue of Liberty” arrived in New York City abroad the French ship Isere.
Recognizing America’s Founding Father’s
The term “Founding Fathers” was first coined in Chicago in 1915 at the Republican National Convention. Warren G. Harding used the phrase in his keynote address. The phrase took hold and now serves as a clearly defining representation of who our founding fathers were and what they believed. Warren G. Harding, 29th President of the…
Patrick Henry and the Bill of Rights
This portrait of Patrick Henry (Catalog Number INDE14066) was executed by an unidentified arist before 1878. The portrait, a copy of Thomas Sully’s 1815 protrayal of Henry (now at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) was acquired by the City of Philadelphia between late 1876 and early 1878. Patrick Henry proclaiming “Give Me Liberty…
Paul Revere: The Shot Heard Round the World & Sybil Ludington
“April comes with gush of bird-song, a patter of dew, a cloud and a rainbow, sunshine and perfect blue.” – Harriet Spofford …and Revolution!!! On April 18, Dr. Joseph Warren, doctor, patriot and spy, learned the British were planning to march on Concord. He took the message to silversmith, Paul Revere, setting the famous ride…
Ten Facts: Women During the Revolutionary War
Fact #1: Women followed the armies and provided a sense of normality to military camps. Often known as camp followers, it was common for women and children to follow the army. Each woman had their own motivations for following the armies: most were the wives, daughters, and/or mothers of male soldiers and wanted to stay…
Five Black Patriots from the American Revolution
During American Revolution, thousands of Black Americans joined the war fighting for both sides of the conflict. Unlike their white counterparts, they weren’t just fighting for independence. Most took up arms hoping to be freed from the shackles of slavery. For some slaves-turned-soldiers, the Revolution’s promise of liberty became a reality. Historians estimate that between…
1788–89 United States Presidential Election
The 1788–89 United States presidential election was the first quadrennial (every four years) presidential election, was held from Monday, December 15, 1788 -TO- Saturday, January 10, 1789, under the newly ratified 1788 Constitution. George Washington was unanimously elected for the first of his two (2) terms as President and John Adams became the first Vice…
The Winter Patriots: A Revolutionary War Tale
A Conquering Wind… For more than a year 13 colonies stood in rebellion to their government an ocean away. The Americans in revolt were rebels, the Declaration of Independence made them revolutionaries. Thirteen colonies were now a union of states, then in union they claimed independence, disseminating copies of their great declaration in the…
Colonial America Beef Barley Soup
Colonial Americans had access to a rich and diverse diet – from the sea, the rivers, the land and the sky…prepared by the Dutch, the French, the Scots, English, Native Americans, Africans. Spices from around the world seasoned it all well. Walter Staib, author of “The City Tavern Cookbook” …Recipes from the Birth of American…