Revolution 250: Stories From The First Shore

Great Dismal Swamp: Refuge Amongst Revolution

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we explore the Great Dismal Swamp and the hidden communities that formed there during the Revolutionary era. As colonists tried to reshape the land for profit, people escaping slavery built lives within the swamp, beyond the reach of the society they fled.

Revolution 250: The Founding Mothers (Extended Special)

As America reflects on 250 years of independence, we remember the women whose courage, sacrifice, and determination helped shape a nation. They published revolutionary ideals, organized boycotts, supported the fight for freedom, and in many cases followed their husbands into battle. From celebrated figures to the countless unnamed women whose strength carried the Revolution forward, their stories continue to inspire generations today.
Join Jordan Christie, Barry Graham, and Connor Worley as they explore the lives and legacies of the women who helped create a nation and immersed themselves in the struggle for independence in WHRV’s The Founding Mothers, part of our Revolution 250: Stories from the First Shore initiative. 

The British Raid of 1779

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we examine the British raid of 1779 and Virginia’s role as a supply center for the American Revolution. British forces struck ports, shipyards, and storage sites across Southeast Virginia, including the burning of Suffolk, in an effort to weaken the Patriot war effort.

Voices of Revolution!

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we explore how newspapers shaped the American Revolution. Competing editions of the Virginia Gazette reflected deep divisions in colonial society and influenced how people understood the growing conflict. This episode looks at the power of the press in a time of rising tension.

Benedict Arnold: The Aftermath of Betrayal

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we continue the story of Benedict Arnold after his defection. Once a respected officer, Arnold entered British service and used his knowledge of the Continental Army during raids that brought the war to American communities. This episode explores what happened after his turning point and how his legacy took shape.

The Gunpowder Incident: When Tensions Ignited in Williamsburg

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we explore the Gunpowder Incident, when a quiet overnight decision in Williamsburg sparked anger, suspicion, and growing calls for action. The moment revealed just how quickly tensions could rise as Virginia moved toward revolution.
 

Revolution 250: Sounds of a New Nation: Music in Colonial Virginia (Extended Feature)

Revolution 250: Sounds of a New Nation: Music in Colonial Virginia explores how music reveals the cultural origins of early America. Hosted by Dr. Wayla Chambo and Dr. Barry Graham, and produced by Aurora Monserrat, the program traces how diverse traditions, from European to African styles, intertwined across colonial Virginia. We explore how music served as an essential unifying force, bringing people together from parlors and churches to fields and battlefields. Through storytelling and curated recordings, the special shows how music shaped the shared identities of the land before the nation itself formed.

From “Tap Toe” to “Tattoo:” How a War Call Became a Celebration

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we explore how music shaped military life and communication. The signal known as tap-toe guided soldiers back to their quarters and became part of the structure of the Continental Army. Over time, it evolved into the ceremonial military tattoo still performed today.

The Sound of the Battlefield

On Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, we explore how music and sound shaped the experience of the American Revolution. From battlefield commands to daily camp routines, drums and fifes carried orders, built morale, and helped define a shared identity among soldiers.

Women, Community, and Care: Polly Miller

This March, Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore honors the women of the American Revolution. Polly Miller ran a tavern at Great Bridge that became a place of care after battle, where she treated wounded soldiers from both sides. Her story shows how women stepped forward, created opportunities, and served their communities when the war reached their doorsteps.