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Lord Dunmore’s War Weekend
September 7 @ 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Lord Dunmore’s War Weekend
Before the American Revolution began in 1775, the roar of guns and the beat of drums could already be heard beyond the Blue Ridge. 250 years ago, in 1774, western Virginia was engaged in America’s last “colonial” conflict, Lord Dunmore’s War. Starting in Staunton, the men of Augusta, led by Colonel Andrew Lewis marched west on an expedition to war with the Shawnee. Many of the men who would become Virginia’s heroes of the American Revolution marched with him, perhaps with ideas of American liberty already in their thoughts.
Join us at the Frontier Culture Museum of Virginia, September 7-8, 2024, as we explore the many facets of this often-overlooked conflict on Virginia’s frontier.
Engage with historians recreating Virginia’s heroes of ’74 as they prepare to march west towards an uncertain future.
Sit with citizens of the Shawnee nation, so to understand this conflict from their important and unique perspective, and the perspectives of their ancestors.
Learn from a star-studded panel of guest speakers, including Brigadier General Theodore Shuey Jr, Dr David Preston, Glenn Williams, Neal Hurst, Michael Cecere, and Daniel Cross.
March with the recreated Augusta County Militia to commemorate and recreate this important moment in Virginia history.
Meet the Speakers:
Theodore Shuey Jr. – “The Augusta Militia and Point Pleasant”
Michael Cecere – “Dunmore’s Patriots”
Neal Hurst -“‘kind of armour, being peculiar to America'” The American Hunting Shirt
Dr. Glenn Williams – “Lord Dunmore’s War: Last Indian Conflict of the Colonial Era”
Meet Andrew Lewis:
Schedule of Activities
Saturday, September 7
10:00 AM – Roll Call and Orders of the Day
11:00 AM – Meet Samson Matthews, Military Entrepreneur of the Frontier
12:00 PM – “From Braddock’s Defeat to Dunmore’s War: The Transformation of Early American Warfare” by Dr. David Preston
1:00 PM – Mustering the Augusta County Militia
2:00 PM – Artillery Demonstration
2:30 PM – A Council of War with Colonel Andrew Lewis
3:30 PM – Performance by Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums
4:00 PM – “Shawnee perspectives on Lord Dunmore’s War”
On Saturday evening, join the museum and members of the Staunton-Augusta-Waynesboro 250th Committee in downtown Staunton as we rally the militia at the Augusta County Courthouse. Muster with the men of Augusta County at 5:30 PM on the courthouse square as they march off to the Battle of Point Pleasant. Be sure to stop by the Staunton Innovation Hub to meet with the amazing organizations who are working to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday from 5:30 PM until 7:30 PM. Check out the schedule below:
5:00 – Historical Organization Fair begins at Staunton Innovation Hub.
5:30 – Lord Dunmore’s War 250th Anniversary Commemoration March at Augusta County Courthouse.
6:30 – Commemoration March concludes.
7:30 – Organization Fair concludes.
Sunday, September 8
10:00 AM – “The Augusta Militia and Point Pleasant” by Theodore Shuey Jr.
11:00 AM – “Dunmore’s Patriots” by Michael Cecere
12:00 PM – Mustering of the Augusta County Militia
1:00 PM -“‘kind of armour, being peculiar to America'” The American Hunting Shirt by Neal Hurst
3:00 PM – Lord Dunmore’s War Memorial Tree Dedication
3:30 PM – “Lord Dunmore’s War: Last Indian Conflict of the Colonial Era” by Dr. Glenn Williams
This event is made possible in part by a grant from Virginia Humanities.
