“Liberty” means many different things to different individuals. It’s the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one’s way of life, behavior, or political views—independence, freedom, autonomy, sovereignty, self-government, self-rule, self-determination, home rule, and civil liberties.
Our forefathers fought for liberty from England’s oppression two hundred and fifty years ago. It started with questioning the laws put upon them as colonists, then speaking out, demonstrating, and finally, the Revolutionary War.
At the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, “Give Me Liberty” tells this story through displays, artifacts, exhibits, and powerful words.
But the fight for “liberty” didn’t end at Yorktown when the Patriots defeated England. It continued as the exhibition does, highlighting the struggles of the Native Americans, the enslaved, the immigrants, and other poorly treated American factions.
As the museum’s website states: “Commemorating the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, “Give Me Liberty” highlights Virginia’s leading role in the American Revolution. It explores the continental and global forces as well as the actions of both iconic and ordinary people that brought about a model of democratic government that changed the world.
“The United States of America is the oldest continuous democracy in the world today. We’ve inherited the founding ideals of the Revolution and the lessons of 250 years . . . the future of American liberty is up to us.
The special exhibition will be featured until January 4, 2026.
Click here for more information about the museum and here for a list of all there is to see and do in Richmond.
