Revolution 250: Stories From The First Shore

Robert Mursh – Native American Hero

Robert Mursh, a Pamunkey student at the Brafferton Indian School, later became one of the Indigenous soldiers who fought in the American Revolution. From major battles to a year as a prisoner of war, his story reflects a complex and often overlooked chapter of Virginia’s past.

The Skirmish of Kemp’s Landing: The First Battle on Land

In 1775, the Revolution reached Virginia. At Kemps Landing, an early British victory fueled false confidence—only to collapse weeks later at Great Bridge. Explore how a brief skirmish helped shift power in Hampton Roads and accelerate Virginia’s march toward independence.

*Extended Feature* "The Sound of Colonial Virginia"

Join Barry Graham as he explores how Colonial Virginia was alive with sound—bawdy songs in taverns, genteel music in ballrooms, and rhythms carried into the fields by enslaved Africans. Music reflected English, Scottish, and African traditions, transcending class and connecting communities. Discover how sound became part of Virginia’s cultural identity and history!

"Ain't No Party Like a Yorktown Tea Party"

Before Boston’s famous protest, Yorktown staged its own act of defiance. In 1774, townsmen dumped British tea into the York River—rejecting Parliament’s authority and proving rebellion had already reached Virginia’s shores. Discover the story of the Yorktown Tea Party.

*Extended Feature* The Last Major Battle of The Revolution with Connor Worley

The Siege at Yorktown is remembered as the last major battle of the American Revolution—but few know how the strategy, engineering, and coordination truly secured America’s independence. Historian Jim Gallagher of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown joins WHRO’s Connor Worley for an in-depth look at the tactics behind the victory that changed history.

"The Battle of Hampton. The War Reaches Virginia."

In October 1775, a British supply ship ran aground near Hampton. When locals seized and burned it, Lord Dunmore launched the first British assault on a Virginia town. Hampton’s militia and townspeople fought back, repelling two days of attacks and forcing a retreat. Discover how this coastal skirmish became Virginia’s first Revolutionary battle

*Extended Feature* "Forgotten Allies of The Revolution: Spain"

France gets most of the credit for aiding the American Revolution—but another European power made victory possible. Spain supplied money, weapons, and a global strategy that helped corner the British. Join WHRO as we speak with national historians to dig deeper into Spain's crucial role in American Independence and the fight against British forces at Yorktown. From hidden funding networks to daring campaigns along the Gulf, explore how Spain became America’s forgotten ally. 

"The Siege of Yorktown: The Last of the Battles"

In 1781, American and French forces surrounded the British at Yorktown in a campaign of precision, deception, and determination. The surrender that followed ended major fighting in the Revolution—and secured America’s independence.

"Forgotten Allies: Spain’s Role in America’s Fight for Independence"

Spain was America’s other great ally in the Revolution. From battlefield victories under Bernardo de Gálvez to the silver raised in Havana that funded Washington’s troops, Spain’s support was crucial—and nearly forgotten. Discover the story of America’s often-overlooked ally.

"The Last Colonial Ball"

Colonial balls were stages of power and performance, where silks, minuets, and candlelight masked political tension. In autumn 1774, the guests danced at Williamsburg’s Governor’s Palace for the final time at the Loyalist affair. Unaware, guests probably had no idea the enchanting ballroom music would soon give way to marching drums and gunfire. Discover how the last colonial ball signaled the end of an era.