Declaration Day
Friday, June 12
In May 1776, George Mason travelled to Williamsburg to serve as a Delegate to the Fifth Virginia Convention. Over the next several weeks, Mason wrote Virginia’s first Constitution and the Virginia Declaration of Rights, a document that begins by stating in Article 1: 

“That all men are by nature equally free and independent, and have certain inherent rights, of which, when they enter into a state of society, they cannot, by any compact, deprive or divest their posterity; namely, the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of acquiring and possessing property, and pursuing and obtaining happiness and safety.”

Tomorrow, June 12 th , represents the 244 th anniversary of the ratification of Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights. As we approach this anniversary, Gunston Hall recognizes that significant work remains for our country to fulfill the promise of life, liberty, happiness, and safety for everyone. Now is the time to reconcile and resolve the differences that, tragically, continue to divide our neighborhoods, communities, and our nation, and to finally fulfill this promise.

As such, we stand against racism, inequality, prejudice, discrimination, brutality, and violence, and we stand in solidarity with those advocating for and pursuing the freedoms, rights, liberties, and opportunities to which all are equally and fully entitled.  

We have work to do . Mason’s intellect and ideas, essential for his framing of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, and his ability to serve as a Delegate at the Fifth Virginia Convention were in large part the result of his wealth. This wealth was made possible by owning over 100 enslaved African Americans. We recognize the inherent contradictions between Mason’s words, his choices, and his actions. We understand the challenge of advocating for equality and the rights expressed by Mason while also representing a place that was the site of so much inequality, pain, and suffering for so many people for so long. We acknowledge this pain, and we acknowledge the continuing suffering experienced by so many of our fellow citizens today.  

We are listening . Education and learning are at the center of all we do. To do our part to address the ongoing conflict, we must tell the complete story of Gunston Hall, give voices to those enslaved by Mason, and use history to make a better future. It is imperative that we listen and learn. We also recognize our need to actively seek the insight and perspective of new and diverse audiences.

We are changing . Real change at Gunston Hall must include a review of our operations, our business practices, and our institutional priorities. Only by looking inward will the changes we aspire to make as an organization be lasting, impactful, and successful. We are also expanding ways to tell the full story of Gunston Hall:

  • Last year, we opened the exhibition, Revolutionary Rights, which explores Mason’s ideas, choices, and actions with an emphasis on rights, who had and has access to these rights, and the legacy of enslavement.

  • This year, through a significant grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, we will continue to work on the reinterpretation of the kitchen yard for the purpose of telling a more inclusive story about the individuals who occupied those spaces.

  • This summer, we will open our restored Riverside Garden featuring educational experiences that will explore the hierarchy of privilege, access, work, and recreation that existed within the formally designed landscapes of 18th-century plantations such as Gunston Hall.

  • We have prioritized the archaeological examination and further investigation of the recently discovered location of enslaved homes on the site. We are committed to better understanding these sites and interpreting this space as an enslaved community.

We write this to share with you and also to demonstrate what we are currently doing and what we hope to do in the coming months and years. This will not be a short trip. Instead, it is a long journey of awareness, learning, and change. Our commitment to listen, learn, and teach is a renewed promise to you, that we will continue to evolve and transform as an educational institution committed to advancing the cause of freedom and rights for all. 
Nancy Robertson McAteer
First Regent
Board of Regents of Gunston Hall, Inc.
Scott Muir Stroh III
Executive Director
George Mason's Gunston Hall
What is Declaration Day?

Declaration Day is an annual event hosted by George Mason's Gunston Hall on the anniversary of the ratification of the Virginia Declaration of Rights on June 12, 1776. The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted by George Mason and was used as a guiding document to craft the Bill of Rights. Every year we recognize this document as one of the first in American history to list individual liberties and to assert protections for certain rights. Due to our temporary closure, we will host Declaration Day virtually this year online through our website and social media platforms.
Declaration Day: Live on Facebook
Friday, June 12
10:00 a.m.

Join us for a special discussion on the inclusion of the freedom of the press in the Virginia Declaration of Rights, led by Dr. Stephen Solomon.

Dr. Solomon is Marjorie Deane Professor at the Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute at New York University, where he teaches First Amendment law. His latest book, Revolutionary Dissent: How the Founding Generation Created the Freedom of Speech , explores how the raucous political protest of the nation’s founding period gave meaning to our freedoms of speech and press at a time when it was a crime to criticize public officials.

Listen live and hear what freedom of the press meant to George Mason and why he chose to include it in the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
We are reopening soon and want to hear from you!
Can't Participate in Declaration Day Live on Facebook?
 
Not a problem! You can view Dr. Solomon's talk anytime on our website and social media channels. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for more information on ways you can participate virtually in Declaration Day and updates on our reopening.
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Support our Efforts
 
If you would like to share your support for our educational initiatives including our "Learning From Home" programs and Declaration Day , consider making a donation of $24.44 in honor of the 244th anniversary of the ratification of the Virginia Declaration of Rights. Every gift makes a difference and enables Gunston Hall to provide relevant, meaningful, and engaging content to our community.