Presented by Jeff Joyce, Culpeper National Cemetery. In celebration of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence, discover how the Continental Army, Navy, and Marines were established in 1775 as war erupted between the American Colonies and Great Britain.

Jeff Joyce is a retired defense contractor and Air Force veteran. He is a member of the Manassas National Battlefield living history team, and a battlefield guide at Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park. He is a volunteer at the Culpeper National Cemetery where he helps support the Wreaths Across America program, a volunteer with the Honor Flight program, and a Docent at the National Air and Space Museum.

Presented by Historic Fredericksburg Foundation, Inc. Explore how the American Revolution affected people and places in George Washington’s hometown, from his era to today. After the lecture, stay for a special 30-minute screening of the PBS documentary series, The American Revolution by Ken Burns focusing on the American’s spirit of service during the Revolutionary War.

Presented by the Washington-Lewis Chapter, NSDAR. This lecture will be followed by a screening focused on America’s faith and freedom during the Revolutionary War.

Presented by Dr. John R. Maass, National Museum of the United States Army. Sponsored by the Fielding Lewis Chapter, NSSAR, and the Fredericksburg Masonic Lodge No. 4. Delve into the five decisive events that secured independence for the thirteen hard-pressed, but determined colonies. These turning points, not all triumphs on the battlefield, delivered a victory for the new United States. By challenging conventional interpretations of what ensures victory in warfare, audiences will learn a new perspective on the Revolutionary War. After the lecture, stay for a special 60-minute screening of the PBS documentary series, The American Revolution by Ken Burns focusing on the American’s military during the Revolutionary War.

Dr. John R. Maass is an educational specialist and historian at the National Museum of the United States Army and former U.S. Army Reserve Officer. He received his Ph.D. from the Ohio State University in early American History, and is the author of several historical works, including The Road to Yorktown: Jefferson, Lafayette, and the British Invasion of Virginia (2015), The Battles of Spencer's Ordinary and Green Spring (2025), and more recently, From Trenton to Yorktown: Turning Points of the Revolutionary War (2025). The latter was named one of the Library Journal’s “Best Books of 2025.”

Presented by Dr. Porter Blakemore, University of Mary Washington. This talk will answer the following question: How was the most powerful 18th Century Atlantic maritime power beaten by a group of colonial plantation owners, backwoodsmen and city merchants, who started the conflict with no government, no unity, no army, and no navy? Britain had defeated mighty France in the French and Indian War fifteen years earlier, driving France out of North America in a conflict brilliant in its political management and land and maritime execution. Why could they not repeat such success against the American patriots? Was their defeat the result of British incompetence, American talent, American luck, or a combination of all three? After the lecture, stay for a special 60-minute screening of the PBS documentary series, The American Revolution by Ken Burns focusing on the American’s military during the Revolutionary War.

Dr. Porter Blakemore holds a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia. He began his career at Mary Washington in 1979 and also has served as a member of the adjunct faculty of the U.S. Naval War College. His areas of academic specialization include military history, European diplomatic history, and modern Germany.

Presented by Peter Maugle and Ryan Quint, National Park Services. How did the revolution impact those at Chatham? Its owner, William Fitzhugh, served as a legislator and commissioner, but did liberty and independence apply to the enslaved? What impressed the British and French military officers who visited Chatham? Join park rangers as they explore stories associated with this special place during the American Revolution. After the lecture, stay for a special 60-minute screening of the PBS documentary series, The American Revolution by Ken Burns focusing on the voices and visions of Americans during the Revolutionary War.

Peter Maugle was a ranger at Valley Forge National Historical Park prior to assignment at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park. He lives in Spotsylvania with his wife and daughter.