Join us on Saturday, October 4, 2025!
This year, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture will seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to mark the important role Virginia played in the American Revolution. Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation examines Virginians both iconic and ordinary who brought about the American Revolution and a world changing democratic government. At the same time, Un/Bound: Free Black Virginians, 1619-1865 explores how Black Virginians achieved freedom and persevered against a system unwilling to grant them the rights promised by the Revolution. The VMHC’s varied and vibrant program of events will embrace this historic anniversary while highlighting our nation’s unfinished pursuit of a more perfect union.
Virginia led in the American Revolution. Innovative ideas flowed from pens and presses, incendiary oration inspired action, and volunteers fought off the world’s most powerful military. As colonists overthrew a king, a revolution from below saw countless enslaved Virginians enact their own declarations of independence. Virginia then debated what rights the United States should guarantee its citizens as the Revolution’s ramifications rippled around the world. But revolutionary action did not end there. Rebellions shook the system of slavery as civil war approached while Readjusters reimagined Virginia in the Reconstruction era. The Equal Suffrage League demanded women’s access to the ballot and the Civil Rights movement saw activists sit in and stand up from Cherrydale to Hopewell. To this day, Virginia Indians fight for rights previously denied to them. Virginia’s moderate reputation belies its citizens’ willingness to challenge the status quo. But revolutions are not always overtly political: economies, transportation, culture, science, and much more, have all experienced moments of dramatic change over the course of Virginia history, and our symposium embraces a broad definition of the term.
2025 will see the return of the VMHC’s Conrad M. Hall Symposium for Virginia History, a one-day event where historians, practitioners, and members of the public gather to explore our shared past. Featuring panels and presentations that highlight groundbreaking research into Virginia history, tailored gallery tours that celebrate revolutionary Virginian’s and their ideas, and a special keynote lecture, the symposium links past with present to inspire future generations.
Call for Proposals
The VMHC welcomes presentations, panels, and posters from public and academic historians alike that address the theme of “revolution” in Virginia history. Presentations can relate to either:
- Revolutionary people, places, or events in Virginia history
- New work in Virginia history that represents revolutionary change in the way we archive, research, interpret, and educate
Our symposium is an opportunity for historians to share their work in a supportive, public-centric environment that values accessibility and engaging storytelling. The VMHC looks forward to welcoming you to share new perspectives on the unparalleled history of Virginia.
To Submit a Proposal:
- EXTENDED - The deadline for presentation submissions is Monday, March 24, 2025. Decisions will be communicated in April 2025. Please direct any questions to symposium@virginiahistory.org.
- For all submissions, please submit a presentation title, a 250-word abstract, and a biographical paragraph or CV (no more than 250 words) in a single PDF/Word document to the link below.
When reviewing proposals, the VMHC will value the contemporary relevance of the topic and the public speaking experience of the presenters. If you would like to include an example of past public speaking (such as recorded presentations and podcasts), we would welcome them, but they are not a requirement.