Institute of Museum and Library Services

A voice that could cross genres and generations, Patsy Cline set enduring standards in country and pop music. Her chart-topping hits remain among the most recognized songs in American music history. Reflecting Virginia’s deep musical heritage, her legacy continues to resonate today. #IMLS250

Virginia has earned the nickname “Mother of Presidents” for a reason. More U.S. presidents were born in Virginia than in any other state: 🇺🇸 George Washington (1st): Westmoreland County (1732). 🇺🇸 Thomas Jefferson (3rd): Albemarle County (1743). 🇺🇸 James Madison (4th): King George County (1751). 🇺🇸 James Monroe (5th): Westmoreland County (1758). 🇺🇸 William Henry Harrison (9th): Charles City County (1773). 🇺🇸 John Tyler (10th): Charles City County (1790). 🇺🇸 Zachary Taylor (12th): Orange County (1784). 🇺🇸 Woodrow Wilson (28th): Staunton (1856) As America approaches its 250th anniversary, Virginia’s role in shaping the nation’s leadership and history continues to inspire new generations to explore the people and ideas that built the United States. #IMLS250

American democracy has deep roots in Virginia. Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America! Then, in 1619, VA hosted the first representative legislative assembly in the New World. #IMLS250

As #Freedom250 traces the path to independence, we arrive in Virginia. At Yorktown Battlefield, British forces surrendered to General George Washington—bringing the Revolutionary War to its decisive conclusion. #IMLS250

Did you know that the first American in space was from New Hampshire? Alan Shepard literally took our nation to new heights in 1961! #IMLS250

Preserving a remarkable legacy of craftsmanship and community, Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire is cataloging more than 40,000 historic artifacts from one of the country’s most complete Shaker communities. This work, supported by an #IMLSgrant, is opening new doors for researchers and visitors alike. #IMLS250

A constitutional milestone! 📜 New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution on June 21, 1788, officially putting the Constitution into effect. #IMLS250

Through #Freedom250, we remember the bold actions that stirred resistance across New Hampshire. Before independence was declared, patriots seized gunpowder at Fort Constitution, fueling the determination that would carry into the battles ahead. #IMLS250

A leading voice of resistance from Massachusetts, Samuel Adams played a pivotal role in rallying support for American independence. His efforts helped spark movements like the Boston Tea Party, uniting colonists against British rule. His legacy lives on in the enduring spirit of civic engagement and protest. #IMLS250

The Longfellow House in Cambridge, Massachusetts has ties to multiple American heroes. It served as an early headquarters for George Washington during the American Revolution, then became the home of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, one of America’s most influential poets, best known for The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, which helped shape our early national identity and literary culture. This image of the Longfellow House was made available by Digital Commonwealth, a project of #IMLSgrant recipient Boston Public Library that provides free digitization services, digital preservation, and online access to cultural heritage materials from Massachusetts institutions, bringing together collections from hundreds of libraries, museums, historical societies, and archives across the state. #IMLS250