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The Virginia Commission on theBicentennial of the American War
of 1812
HISTORY OF THEWAR OF 1812
In June of 1812, the newly formed United States, aloose
confederation of 18 states, declared war onGreat Britain, one of
the most powerful empires inthe world. President James Madison gave
severalreasons for the declaration, among them: (1) strictand
violent trade restrictions imposed by Britainbecause of its war
with France; (2) impressmentof American sailors into the British
Navy; and(3) desired expansion by American leaders into
theNorthwest Territory, including parts of Canada,occupied by the
British. Britains support of NativeAmerican resistance to U.S.
expansion also was
identified by the President and members ofCongress as a reason
for war with GreatBritain. Thus began two-and-a-half yearsof
increasingly acrimonious and brutalwar that involved the United
States,Britain, the British colony of Canada,and many Native
American tribes.It was a war that tested Americandemocracy and the
relationship withBritain and Canada.
The United States of America was the firstmodern democratic
republic in the world, and
1812 was the first official war that the republic hadever fought
as a nation. One result of the warpositioned the United States of
America as a forceto be reckoned with on the world stage.
ABOUT THE COMMISSIONThe 2008 Virginia General Assembly created
theVirginia Commission on the Bicentennial of the Amer-ican War of
1812 to prepare for and commemorate
the bicentennial anniversary of Virginias participationin the
American War of 1812.
Legislation creating the Commission was co-patronedby Delegate
M. Kirkland Cox and Senator StephenH. Martin. The Commission has
planned commem-orative events and activities over the next four
yearsto heighten awareness and education about the warand Virginias
involvement in the effort to challengeBritish authority.
COMMEMORATINGVIRGINIAS INVOLVEMENT
The Commission has sanctioned several activities
and events beginning in 2012 extending until 2015to promote
historical literacy about the Warof 1812 in Virginia. All events
and programs
have been designed to reach a maximumpublic audience with
focused, well-researched historical accuracy. Publicand private
foundations and corpo-rations have a unique opportunity toplay a
critical role in educating school
students and the public about theWar of 1812 a war with minimal
focus
in history books, but with a maximumimpact on the development of
a new nation
and with modern effects still being realized.
Sponsors are needed for the Commission to achieveits objective
to enlighten the citizens of Virginiaabout the importance of
Virginias role in the defeatof the British in the War of 1812 and
engage citizensin celebrating Virginia history in general.
Virginiastudents will receive history instruction that
willcomplement Virginia SOLs and provide experiencestheir school
divisions are unable to offer.
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SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESJanuary 11, 2012 Virginia General
Assemblys Bicentennial of theWar of 1812: A Symphonic Tribute.
The Commission, in collaboration with the Richmond Symphony,
will host asymphonic tribute featuring period music at CentreStage
in Richmond. Invitedguests include the Governor, members of the
Virginia General Assembly,Commission Advisory Council, Cabinet
members, sponsors, and students.The concert is open to the
public.
Total cost: $50,000May 2012 Tread of the Tyrants Heel:
Virginia's War of 1812 Experience
By Dr. John V. Quarstein, Director, Virginia War Museum, and
other contributingscholars. The book will be distributed to all
public schools and libraries. Sponsorsfor the book will be
recognized in the book and invited to the launch celebrationfor the
book. Support is needed to purchase and distribute the book to
schoolsand libraries.
Total cost: $30,000
June 2014 Legacy Symposium.
Plans for a significant two-day symposium are being developed as
a concludingsignature event for the Virginia bicentennial
commemoration of the War of 1812.The Commissions Legacy Symposium
will be hosted by Fort Monroe in June2014. The symposium will have
an educational focus that will effectively blend
scholarly plenary sessions, interactives, and celebratory events
designed to addressthe lack of knowledge about the War of 1812.
Teachers are the target audienceand family-friendly educational and
recreational activities are being designed.
Estimated cost $250,000
June 2014 PBS Documentary & DVD.
A documentary about the War of 1812 in Virginia produced by Blue
Ridge PBSwill premiere at the Legacy Symposium in June 2014 and be
aired on all PBSstations later in 2014 . A DVD of the documentary
and an accompanying teacher'sresource guide, consistent with the
SOLs, will be distributed to Virginia publicschools and formatted
for instructional use in the classroom by teachers. Supportis
needed for research, development, production and duplication of the
DVD.The DVD will be distributed to schools and libraries.
Total cost: $150,000.00
June 2015 Fort Meigs and African Americans in the War of
1812.The Commission, in cooperation with the State of Ohio, will
erect a monumentat the Fort Meigs battlefield in Perrysburg, Ohio,
in July 2015, to honor Virginiasfallen who are buried at the site.
Several of the Virginia veterans were membersof the Petersburg
Volunteers, a company of young men from Dinwiddie, Amelia,and
Chesterfield who fought in the Battle of Fort Meigs during the War
of 1812under General William Henry Harrison. Research is also under
way, in cooperationwith the U. S. National Park Service, to
highlight the role and contributions ofAfrican Americans during the
war. Financial sponsorship is needed for construc-tion and
installation of the monument and research on the role of
AfricanAmericans in the war.
Total cost: $40,000
Contributors to the Commissions bicentennial events will receive
copies of variouslegacy products, invitations to signature events,
and other appropriate recognition.
Brenda EdwardsSenior Research AssociateDivision of Legislative
Services910 Capitol StreetGeneral Assembly Building, 2nd
FloorRichmond, VA 23219Phone 804-786-3591, ext.
[email protected]
Robert BarrataAdvisory Council MemberPhone
[email protected]
Sponsorships should be payable tothe Treasurer of Virginia.
Questions About Sponsorship Opportunities, Contact:
All donations are tax deductible as permitted by the IRS.Consult
your tax advisor for information about tax deductibility.
Commission MembersDelegate M. Kirkland Cox, ChairmanSenator
Stephen H. Martin, Vice Chairman
Senator George L. BarkerDelegate Rosalyn R. DanceDelegate
Christopher K. PeaceDelegate Kenneth R. PlumSenator Frederick M.
QuayleDelegate R. Lee Ware, Jr.Mr. Peter E. Broadbent, Jr.Ms. Nancy
G. HeuserMs. Betsy S. Barton
Dr. Sandra G. Treadway
Advisory Council MembersChristopher K. Peace, Chairman
Member, Virginia House of Delegates
Mr. Robert Baratta Capital Results
Mr. Phillip Bigler James Madison CenterJames Madison
University
Mr. Stuart L. Butler Historian and AuthorThe Society of the War
of 1812 in Virginia
Mr. Walter W. Craigie James MadisonMontpelier Foundation
Mr. Patrick Farris Executive Director,Warren County Heritage
Society
Mr. Steven A. Forrest Board Member,Norfolk Historical
Society
Admiral Robert Fountain (Ret.)Past President, Northern Neck of
VirginiaHistorical Society
Carter B. S. Furr, EsquireNorfolk Historical Society Board
Mr. Raymond W. Gill, Jr. Vice President,The Society of the War
of 1812 in Virginia
Ms. Mary A. Hackett Associate Editor, ThePapers of James Madison
- AldermanLibrary, University of Virginia
Mr. Shawn Halifax Fort Monroe DeputyDirector for Public
Programs
Ms. Carolyn Coggin HolmesExecutive Director, Ash
Lawn-Highland
Admiral Myron E. Lyman, Sr. (Ret.)
Past President, The Society of the War of1812 in Virginia
Mr. John C. Maxwell, Jr. Vice President,The Society of the War
of 1812 in Virginia
Mr. John Brewer MooreHistorian, Portsmouth Flag Associates
Mr. James D. Parrish, Jr.The Society of the War of 1812 in
Virginia
Mr. J. Ridgely Porter, IIIPresident, Madison Family
Association
Dr. John V. QuarsteinDirector, Virginia War Museum
Dr. James H. Ryan Historian and Author
Dr. Irwin Taylor Sanders, II Professor ofHistory, Washington and
Lee University
Mrs. Connie Sue Brown SchroederPresident, National Society
U.S.Daughters of 1812
Ms. Jacque-Lynne Schulman NationalSociety of U.S. Daughters of
1812
Mrs. Courtenay T. Stanley President, TheMadisons of Montpelier
Chapter of theNational Society U.S. Daughters of theWar of 1812
Mr. George William Thomas, Jr. President,James Monroe Memorial
Foundation
Mrs. Anne Hoffman Winn National Societyof U.S. Daughters of
1812
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