In a stroke of inspired historical marketing, Virginia has announced what may be its most ambitious tourism initiative yet, a statewide “passport” that invites travellers to retrace the birth of a nation, one stamp at a time.
The Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), together with Colonial Williamsburg, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello, has unveiled the Virginia 250 Passport, a collaborative journey through 70 of the Commonwealth’s most storied landmarks. The campaign marks the lead-up to America’s 250th anniversary, turning the past into a hands-on adventure for locals and visitors alike.
Supported by the Virginia Tourism Corporation (VTC) and the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250), the project underscores Virginia’s pivotal role as cradle and crucible of the nation’s founding.
“This statewide partnership between some of the finest history institutions in the nation is an example of how, when we work together, we can create engaging, meaningful experiences for our fellow Virginians,” said Rita McClenny, President and CEO of the Virginia Tourism Corporation. “We encourage you to pick up your passport while supplies last and spend a year with us travelling around our great Commonwealth.”
A passport with purpose
Beginning 11 November 2025, the Virginia 250 Passport will be available free of charge at key heritage sites, including the VMHC, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and the Jamestown Settlement. It will also be offered at the VA250 Mobile Museum, select anniversary events, and at all 12 Virginia Welcome Centres along the state’s main interstates.
With 250,000 copies ready for distribution, the 64-page booklet serves as both travel companion and keepsake. It details 70 participating museums and historic sites across five regions: Central, Northern, Shenandoah Valley, Southwestern, and Tidewater Virginia.
Each stop along the trail offers a mix of storytelling and architecture, and a gentle reminder that history, when experienced in the flesh, can be more thrilling than any textbook.
Where history meets reward
In a nod to modern loyalty schemes, each participating site offers a unique stamp proof that you’ve walked the same paths as Washington, Jefferson, and Pocahontas. Once stamped, the passport becomes a golden ticket to discounts of up to 15 per cent at future participating venues.
Collect five or more stamps, and you’ll be eligible for the grand prize draw, with museum memberships and cash awards of up to US$2,500 on offer. The sweepstakes, running until December 2026, turns sightseeing into a sport with cultural dividends.
“America’s 250th anniversary is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to come together, reflect on our shared past, and recommit ourselves to the continued progress of our nation,” said Jamie Bosket, President and CEO of the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. “And there is no better place to do this than right here in the Commonwealth of Virginia.”
History for the classroom – and beyond
The passport is not just a collector’s item; it’s also an educational bridge. The Virginia Department of Education is working closely with school superintendents to introduce the program to teachers, ensuring that young Virginians don’t merely read history — they walk through it.
“The Virginia 250 Passport is a wonderful tool that can be used both inside and outside the classroom to inspire curiosity, learning, and civic pride as it makes history come alive across the Commonwealth,” said Aimee Rogstad Guidera, Virginia’s Secretary of Education. “By exploring the people and places that shaped our nation, young Virginians and their families can connect more deeply with our shared story and gain a greater appreciation for the ideals that continue to define the Commonwealth and our country.”
It’s a simple idea, executed with finesse: take the lessons of the past and give them a fresh coat of curiosity. One stamp may lead to a fascination with archaeology; another, to the architectural elegance of the Jeffersonian era.
An invitation from the Governor
Adding gubernatorial weight to the launch, Governor Glenn Youngkin released a video inviting Virginians to take part in the year-long celebration. The move reflects the state’s determination to lead the national commemoration with style and substance.
Behind the ceremonial fanfare lies a practical aim to promote domestic tourism, bolster local museums, and draw attention to the Commonwealth’s unrivalled contribution to the founding of the United States. Virginia, after all, can boast more Founding Fathers than any other state, a fact that never goes out of fashion in historical circles.
Travelling through time – responsibly
For travellers weary of fleeting digital distractions, the passport offers something tangible, a chance to hold history in one’s hands. It encourages slow travel, local engagement, and a kind of tourism rooted in appreciation rather than mere consumption.
In a world obsessed with moving faster, Virginia’s 250th Passport is a gentle nudge to move slower to linger in the taverns of Williamsburg, to stand beneath the oaks at Monticello, to watch the sun set over Yorktown and imagine the muskets falling silent.
A year – and a nation – worth celebrating
The Virginia 250 Passport runs from 11 November 2025 through 31 December 2026, a journey not just across geography, but across time and identity. It’s an invitation to rediscover where the American story began, and perhaps, to consider where it’s headed next.
Full details, including sweepstakes rules, can be found at VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport.
So, grab a pen, pack a sense of curiosity, and start collecting those stamps. Two and a half centuries of history are waiting, and they come with prizes.
Virginia 250 Passport Program
📅 11 November 2025 – 31 December 2026
📍 Across 70 sites in Virginia
🔗 VirginiaHistory.org/250Passport
By Susan Ng – (c) 2025
Read Time: 5 minutes
About the Writer
With the polish of an international hotel professional and the heart of a born storyteller, Susan Ng has spent years behind reception desks, in banquet halls, and among linen carts, learning what genuine hospitality feels like, not just looks like. From the first greeting to the last goodnight, she understands that excellence lives in the small, unshowy gestures that linger long after checkout.
Away from the bustle, Susan’s curiosity found another front desk: the blank page. Her candid, thoughtful, sometimes wry blog pieces drew a quiet but loyal readership who sensed the truth behind her words. Today she’s turning that same eye for grace and imperfection toward the written world, offering stories rich in empathy, insight and lived detail. Every time, expect warm, genuine and polished writing like the perfect check-in.
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