In preparation for America's 250th anniversary in 2026, the Virginia Museum of History and Culture is launching an exhibit that juxtaposes the American Revolution’s fight for freedom with the realities of slavery and the experiences of marginalized groups. Opening on March 22, 2025, the exhibit will feature 50 historical artifacts, including Patrick Henry’s spectacles and a Cherokee wampum belt, highlighting the contradictions in America’s founding.

Andrew Talkov, a museum curator, emphasizes the paradox of white colonists claiming liberty while enslaving others and dispossessing Indigenous lands. The exhibit, which runs until 2026 in Richmond before moving to Yorktown, also references “The 1619 Project,” which challenges the traditional 1776 starting point, advocating for a focus on the year enslaved Africans first arrived in America.

The exhibit is expected to contribute to the broader national debate over how to celebrate America’s founding, acknowledging the complexities of freedom, race, and history while promoting a more inclusive understanding of the nation's past.