Photos of the 250th Anniversary Commemoration of the Essex Resolutions
July 13th, 2024 in the Max Silver Memorial Courtyard
The Essex Resolutions were among numerous proclamations issued by Virginia counties in 1774 in response to the Intolerable Acts, which were enacted following the Boston Tea Party. Adopted in July of that year, the Essex Resolutions articulated colonial grievances and demonstrated growing resentment toward British policies. Notably, Essex County was one of the few in Virginia to openly support the Boston Tea Party, praising “the spirited conduct of the town of Boston” as beneficial to the cause of liberty. The document is regarded as one of the more eloquently written proclamations of its kind.
In addition to its political message, the Essex Resolutions called for tangible support of Bostonians affected by the British blockade. Over one thousand bushels of Virginia corn were collected and sent north, with the proceeds arriving in Boston just weeks before the Battles of Lexington and Concord. In recognition of this effort, Samuel Adams personally sent a letter of thanks to the citizens of Essex County.
To commemorate the 250th anniversary, the Essex County Museum hosted a special public reading of the Resolutions. Timothy Manley, Executive Director of the Essex County Museum and Historical Society, emphasized the importance of marking the occasion in a way that honored the historical significance while engaging a modern audience.
The celebration began with a 2:00 p.m. procession from the historic 1710 Tavern in Tappahannock, once a gathering place for the Sons of Liberty. The Williamsburg Fife & Drum Corps performed alongside a color guard and musket salute provided by the Rappahannock Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution. The event also featured a colonial dance troupe, the unveiling of a new museum exhibit, a live performance by the Moravian Armory Stunt Group, and a Hamilton-inspired theatrical interpretation of the Essex Resolutions.
This project was supported, in part, by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the
Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250)
