Local History Talk: Revolutionary Stories of Falls Church

Curious what life was like in the Falls Church area during the American Revolution? Join Library of Virginia historian Eric Johnson for an engaging history talk rooted in the firsthand accounts of the Revolutionary era! Throughout the war and its aftermath, local residents of all backgrounds shared their stories via legislative petitions and narratives of their war service. Today, those petitions and narratives — along with maps, wills, newspapers, and other documents — are preserved at the Library of Virginia, and in this talk, Johnson will share these local glimpses into Falls Church's (and Fairfax's) past. Hear how area residents argued over religious liberty, negotiated the wartime experience at home and in the service, and navigated issues of local governance during a time of profound change. Don't miss this opportunity to connect with our local history and see the Revolutionary era come to life through the words and stories of the people who lived it. To register for this program, please scroll down and click on the blue "Register" box. Interested in helping make history? Check out the Revolutionary-Era Transcribe-A-Thon program at MRSPL on Saturday, November 7, to learn how you can help transcribe historical documents! About the Presenter Eric Johnson is the coordinator of the VA250-funded Ideas in Action project at the Library of Virginia, focused on bringing Revolutionary-era documents and the stories they tell back to the communities from which they came. Prior to joining the Library of Virginia, Eric served for twelve years as head of the multimedia center and makerspace at Virginia Commonwealth University Libraries. Trained in public history and the digital humanities, he has also worked at the Scholars’ Lab at the University of Virginia Library, Monticello, the University of Richmond, and the Smithsonian. Eric holds master’s degrees in American history from George Mason University, library and information studies from Florida State University, and cartography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. City of Falls Church 250 The year 2026 marks the 250th anniversary, or Semiquincentennial, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, marking the formal founding of the United States. This national milestone is an opportunity to reflect on the country's founding, honor its diverse history, and explore how the American story continues to evolve. Communities across the nation, including the City of Falls Church, will host events, programs, and projects to commemorate the occasion and engage people in meaningful conversations about the past, present, and future of the United States. Learn more...