Historic St. John’s Church Foundation
ABOUT
The Historic St. John's Church Foundation operates St. John's Church, a National Historic Landmark and site of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech on March 23, 1775.
The mission of the Foundation is to spark a global appreciation for the role that Patrick Henry’s “Liberty or Death” speech had in setting America on its path to liberty for all, and to ignite the public’s commitment for preserving the historic site where it happened.
The Foundation has produced live theatre "Liberty or Death!" historical reenactments featuring nine professional actors in 1700's costumes since the 1970's. Each year, the Foundation produces 20 reenactments for the general public, and approximately 80 private reenactments for schools, tour groups, and corporations including approximately 30 free reenactments for Title 1 schools in the Richmond, VA area.
Before each reenactment, an organ player plays patriotic music. A costumed, historical interpreter then serves as the narrator and provides an overview of the historical events that led to The Second Virginia Convention and Patrick Henry's speech. The reenactment featuring professional actors follows and is approximately 40 minutes. The actors sit amidst the audience, and the audience is encouraged to participate in the arguments of the day by saying "hear hear" or "well spoken, sir" if they hear something they agree with.
The Foundation's Liberty or Death reenactments are their signature educational program, and they educate the public about the importance of Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death!" speech, which is known worldwide as one of the most important speeches in our nation's history.
HISTORY
Historic St. John’s Church was built in 1741 as an Anglican church by Colonel Richard Randolph. In 1775, when Royal Governor Lord Dunmore dissolved the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg for speeches and discussion that he deemed to be treasonous, the Burgesses decided to move their next meeting to Richmond.
On March 23, 1775, the Second Virginia Convention met in St. John’s Church. Among the more notable delegates were George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Harrison V, as well as Richard Henry Lee and his brother Francis Lightfoot Lee, the only two brothers to sign the Declaration of Independence.
But the most eloquent of the attendees was Patrick Henry, a thirty-eight year old attorney, who delivered his famous speech ending with “I know not what course other may take, but as for me, Give me liberty or give me death,” a speech that pushed the meeting towards independence.
GRANT PROJECT
The Americana Corner Preserving America Grant awarded to the Historic St. John’s Church Foundation helped to fund their “Liberty or Death” reenactments, their signature educational program. The Foundation, which began this program in the 1970s, puts on roughly 100 reenactments each year for school groups, tours, and the general public. These professionally done 40-minute shows allow for the audience to participate in one of the most important speeches in American history.
Americana Corner is proud to assist the Historic St. John’s Church Foundation with its mission to preserve the Great American Story and to help our fellow citizens grow their love of country.
