Early Wars

While the Virginia War Memorial’s Shrine of Memory honors Virginians killed in action from World War II through the present, the Education Department occasionally offers programs focused on conflicts prior to WWII. View resources and lessons on the American Revolution, Civil War, World War I, and more below!

If you are interested in scheduling a future lesson with the Virginia War Memorial Education Department (in person or via distance learning/outreach), please reach out to education@vawarmemorial.org.

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Revolutionary War
Civil War
World War I

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.

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.

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.