IW students, teachers work to commemorate 250th anniversary of Virginia's founding

Yahoo

09-05-2025

ISLE OF WIGHT, Va. (WAVY) — The Old Dominion state is turning 250 next year, and Isle of Wight County Schools faculty and students have been working overtime to commemorate the occasion.
Over the last year, they've been putting together a podcast series paired with creative writing pieces collectively called 'Revolutionary Roots.'
'The project's central inquiry, 'How did agriculture, livestock, and major conflicts shape the founding of Isle of Wight County, and how do we see these influences today?' served as the guiding theme for student research and creative production,' according to a press release. 'Using primary and secondary sources, students investigated local history through the lenses of agriculture, education, indigenous relations and the Revolutionary War.'
The project was spearheaded by three teachers: Zachary Kempf and Samantha Lewis from Smithfield High School, and Heather Byrum from Windsor High School.
The students worked with local historical societies and libraries, gaining access to historical documents and modern digital tools.
'Field trips to local landmarks, such as the Isle of Wight County Museum, St. Luke's Historic Church and Museum and the 1750 Isle of Wight Courthouse, provided immersive experiences and access to valuable historical materials,' the release reads.
'Revolutionary Roots' is part of the larger VA 250 initiative, which aims to encourage community reflection on our collective history.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.