Historic program at Highclere Hall will lead Craig County’s local America250 observance
Craig County’s America250 celebration will begin with “Sounds of Liberty,” on Sunday, June 14, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Highclere Hall, just outside New Castle. The outdoor tented event will feature Revolutionary War living history, music, food, and a traveling exhibit highlighting Virginia’s role in the American Revolution.
The Craig250 Commission, Craig County’s local committee formed under Virginia250 by resolution of the Craig County Board of Supervisors in 2023, is organizing the event as part of the nation’s 250th anniversary commemoration. Tickets are $17.76 per person and must be purchased in advance by June 5. Visit HighclereHall.com.
Hosted at Highclere Hall, a working farm estate in the Sinking Creek valley, “Sounds of Liberty” is Craig250’s signature America250 event. Guests will gather for an afternoon that combines historical interpretation with music and refreshments in a breathtaking outdoor setting.
Among the featured attractions will be the arrival of the Seventh Virginia Regiment Continental Line’s Artillery Company with a 4-pounder cannon known as “Libby,” short for Liberty. The field gun is mounted on a Virginia War Department-type carriage with a limber, harness, and horse, offering attendees a vivid look at Revolutionary-era artillery.
Attendees may also explore the Highclere garden and view the “Give Me Liberty” Traveling Exhibit, on loan from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. On display in Craig County exclusively during “Sounds of Liberty,” the exhibit examines Virginia’s central role in the American Revolution and the people, ideas, and events that shaped the new nation.
Musical performances will include bagpipes, a local woodwind quartet and vocal selections by local singers.
Special guests include Virginia Delegate and Virginia250 Commission Chairman Terry Austin and his wife, Kathy. Historical interpreters portraying Patrick Henry and the Rev. Charles Cummings, known as the “fightin’ parson,” will also perform to offer perspectives drawn from the Revolutionary era. Patrick Henry Jolly, a fifth-generation descendant of Patrick Henry, is a historian, researcher, and public speaker who has participated in events at Patrick Henry’s Red Hill since 1999.
Michael Henningsen of Abingdon will portray the Irish-born Rev. Charles Cummings, remembered for his defense of frontier communities, religious and civil liberty in Southwest Virginia. Henningsen, now retired, serves as executive director of Corps Values Music Heritage.
Refreshments will be provided by Schaal’s Catering of Roanoke, with finger foods, desserts and cold beverages.
Because attendance is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance by June 5. Event information including ticket purchase, is available through Highclere Hall’s website www.highclerehall.com.
Saturday, June 20 at 11 a.m. brings the Craig Valley Daughters of the American Revolution dedication ceremony of Craig County’s America250 Patriots Marker. This marker is being placed in the courthouse yard to honor those known American Patriots buried in Craig County. Honored patriots include Adam Lugar, Zadock Nutter, Benjamin Peck, and James Trenor. Descendents of these patriots are encouraged to attend. This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, July 4 the 5th annual Craig County Independence Day Parade steps off at 10 a.m., organized by the Craig Valley Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and Craig County Tourism Commission. 2026 Craig County High School graduate and 2025 DAR Good Citizens Award Winner McKenna All will lead the parade as Grand Marshal. This year’s theme is “The Spirit of ’76.”
Families, businesses, and organizations are encouraged to participate and compete in “Most Creative,” “Most Beautiful,” and “Best Depiction of Parade Theme” categories. The coveted Patriot Cup, the parade’s top award, will be presented to the entry judged “Most Patriotic.” Registration is required for consideration of parade entry awards. To register, email CraigValleyChapterNSDAR@gmail.com for an application and rules guide.
The Craig County Farmers Market will be open for their Saturday market day and will share space for the parade After-Party where parade awards will be presented. The annual Beard contests (longest, wildest, and best overall); Patriotic Cap/Bonnet contest; and Watermelon eating contests (youth and adult) will take place there.
The Craig250 Commemorative Quilt will also be on display. This quilt was created by thirty-four local quilters and includes the names of seventy-two communities in Craig County, as well as the three postal towns, Catawba, New Castle, and Paint Bank.
The quilt, named “E Pluribus Unum,” for “From Many, One” symbolizes the creation of the country. Just as our country was formed from many colonies into one nation, the quilt was crafted by quilters who stitched individual blocks which joined to form one beautiful quilt.
Parade spectators and participants are invited to walk down to the Court House where a reading of the Declaration of Independence by New Castle Mayor Lenny McDonald will take place at 2 p.m. In 1776, citizens learned about this declaration in the same manner. Baltimore Lemonades will be available to ward off the afternoon heat.
A dedication of the Craig250 Time Capsule, including a display of its contents, will immediately follow. The time capsule will be buried at the Court House to be reopened on July 4, 2076 during the nation’s 300th anniversary.
At 2:50 p.m., the sound of bells and sirens from the courthouse and church steeples and local fire stations across Craig County will be joined by citizens across our nation to celebrate our independence with the Bells Across America bell ringing. Citizens unable to attend the courthouse ringing are encouraged to ring cowbells, handbells and even pots and pans from wherever they are to join in on the celebratory bell-ringing.
The Craig250 Commission has produced limited edition Craig250 Commemorative Challenge coins. These unique coins depict “Freedom,” the beloved town mural eagle, and are expected to be a valued collectible souvenir of America250. 2026 graduates of Kindling School and Craig County High School were presented a coin at recent graduation ceremonies as a reminder of the special year in which they graduated.
A coin is included with each ticket purchased for the June 14 event “Sounds of Liberty. Coins will be available for sale on July 4th at the Farmers Market for $10 each, while supplies last.
In addition to fireworks displays around the area on the evening of July 4, VA250 is collaborating with PBS to present “America Made in Virginia: 250 Years Together”, broadcasting live from Williamsburg, Virginia. Recently announced performers include Judy Collins, Richard Thomas and the U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Bank. This is expected to be a spectacular way to end a once-in-a-lifetime commemorative event for Virginians and the entire country. The live broadcast will be livestreamed & telecast on PBS from 8-10 p.m. and re-aired from 10 to midnight.
-Craig250 Commission