Early Wars

Revolutionary War

View lessons, lectures, and resources related to the Revolutionary War.

Livestream: Susanna’s Midnight Ride with Libby McNamee

Aired May 11, 2020. Join author Libby McNamee for a discussion of her book “Susanna’s Midnight Ride: The Girl Who Won the Revolutionary War,” an exciting historical fiction novel for middle schoolers based on the TRUE story of a girl from Hopewell, Virginia. Like most Colonial girls, Susanna Bolling must stay and tend house while her brothers fight the battle for freedom. But when British General Cornwallis quarters at her house, she overhears his secret plan to defeat the Patriots. Although terrified, she must risk it all to save the war.

War of 1812

View lessons, lectures, and resources related to the War of 1812.

Livestream: Don’t Give Up the Ship: Discussing the Battle of Lake Erie

Aired September 29, 2022. Join Virginia War Memorial Assistant Director of Education Crystal Coon and Ed Moore member of the Mariner’s Museum Speaker’s Bureau for a discussion of this important battle, what it meant for the war and the young United States Navy.

Civil War

View lessons, lectures, and resources related to the American Civil War.

Livestream: Postal Covers: Propaganda to Patriotism Part I

Aired May 19, 2020. Join Education Director Jim Triesler for the first in a series looking at postal covers throughout American history. This program highlights the use of postal covers as methods of educating the public and inspiring Americans during the 1860s.

Livestream: Teaching the Civil War with Artifacts

Aired June 25, 2020. Join Education Director Jim Triesler as he shares stories of the Civil War through the use of original photographs, letters, and artifacts. This lecture is targeted towards teachers and anyone who is fascinated by 19th century history.

Livestream: Battle of Gettysburg

Aired July 6, 2023. On July 1, 2, and 3, 1863, the Battle of Gettysburg raged in south central Pennsylvania. Often called the turning point of the American Civil War, this battle was the northernmost advance of Robert E. Lee and his army of Northern Virginia. Join Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler as he looks at the highlights of the Battle of Gettysburg and the people who made a difference 160 years later.

World War I

View lessons, lectures, and resources related to World War I.

Livestream: Baseball and World War I

Aired April 14, 2020. Join Education Director Jim Triesler as he examines the impact of World War I on America’s pastime.

Livestream: In Their Own Words: Letters from World War I

Aired November 5, 2020. November 2020 marked the 102nd anniversary of Armistice Day. Join Education Director Jim Triesler as he uses original letters, written between 1917 and 1919, to share the experiences of those who served during “the Great War.”

Livestream: Play Ball! Doughboys and Baseball during the Great War

Aired April 1, 2021. Join Al Barnes, Virginia National Guard command Historian and co-author of “Play Ball! Doughboys and Baseball during The Great War” and VWM Education Director Jim Triesler as they kick off the upcoming baseball season with a discussion of baseball and the impact of World War I.

Livestream: Forgotten Soldiers of World War I – America’s Immigrant Doughboys

Aired June 29, 2021. Join us for the “All-American” story of the approximately 800,000 foreign-born soldiers who served in the US military during World War I with author and Virginia National Guard Command Historian Al Barnes, as he discusses his book “Forgotten Soldiers of World War I: America’s Immigrant Doughboys.”

Livestream: The World War I Monument of Byrd Park

Aired February 7, 2023. Each day hundreds of people drive past a small war memorial in Richmond’s Byrd Park. Few probably notice its existence. Join Education Director Jim Triesler as he explores the WWI Monument of Byrd Park and what it represents.

Livestream: Images of the Great War

Aired November 1, 2022. Using stereoscopic images, Virginia War Memorial Director of Education Jim Triesler will take you on a journey to the towns and battlefields of World War I where you will encounter the “Images of the Great War.”

Livestream: The State of the Union Addresses During World War I and World War II

Aired January 16, 2024. The State of the Union Address is delivered by the President of the United States annually to a joint session of Congress, with a unique pressure existing for those who were presidents in times of war. Join Virginia War Memorial Director of Education, Jim Triesler, as he examines the addresses given by Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Franklin Roosevelt during World War One and World War Two.