History Brought to Life
Virginia Virtue offers historical presentations, living-history experiences, and hands-on educational programs that connect audiences with America’s past.
Combining backgrounds in historical research, anthropology, political science, and interpretation, Courtney Hollingsworth and Ethan Purita bring thoughtful scholarship and engaging storytelling to each program. Courtney’s focus on historical and genealogical research complements Ethan’s focus on teaching, political science, and civic life. Together, they connect historical evidence with discussion and hands-on learning.
Explore Program Ideas
These sample themes offer a starting point for planning your event. Contact us to discuss the topic, audience, format, and activities that best fit your group.
Founding Ideas in Action
Explore the political ideas and competing viewpoints that shaped the American founding. Activities can include guided debate, short primary-source readings, or a mock founding-era discussion. Participants practice explaining a position, weighing evidence, and listening to a different point of view.
History in the Headlines
Discover how historical newspapers reveal everyday life, local events, and the stories that textbooks often leave out. Audiences learn how to examine advertisements, social notices, and news reports—and consider whose voices appear in the record and whose are missing.
Civic Conversations: How Government Works
Make the structure of American government easier to understand through clear explanations and participation. Activities can include matching responsibilities to the branches of government, tracing how a bill becomes a law, or discussing a civic question from more than one perspective. The emphasis is on understanding, respectful discussion, and critical thinking.
Your Virginia Roots: Getting Started with Family History
Learn how to begin researching a Virginia family using census records, vital records, newspapers, and courthouse sources. This introductory program explains how to organize findings, evaluate evidence, and identify practical next steps when a family story reaches a dead end.
Letters from Early America
Explore how handwritten letters, petitions, and printed words helped people share news and ideas in early America. A discussion of historical handwriting and communication can be paired with a colonial handwriting activity, depending on the audience, venue, and available materials.
Historical Talks & Presentations
Explore Virginia history, colonial America, the American Revolution, and the people and ideas that shaped our nation. Presentations bring historical evidence into focus through clear explanations and compelling stories.
Contact us to discuss a subject that fits your organization’s interests or upcoming event.
Living History & Demonstrations
Discover aspects of early American life through costumed interpretation and interactive demonstrations. Activities may include colonial handwriting, historical games, and discussions of everyday life during the Revolutionary era.
The format and activities are arranged according to your audience, venue, and program goals.
School & Homeschool Programs
Give students opportunities to ask questions, examine historical ideas, and learn through participation.
Programs can incorporate storytelling, identification activities, historical games, and guided discussion. Drawing on Ethan’s teaching and political-science interests and Courtney’s historical research, programs can also include age-appropriate civics activities, primary-source discussions, and structured debates. We can discuss connections to classroom subjects and Virginia Standards of Learning when planning your event.
Genealogy & Family History Talks
Introduce your group to the process of researching family history. Topics may include getting started with genealogy, exploring Virginia ancestry, using historical newspapers, and understanding what original records can reveal.
American Founding & Civic Life
Explore the relationship between American history, political ideas, and civic participation. These presentations examine founding principles, historical debates, and the development of American government through an educational approach grounded in historical context. Activities can include comparing historical arguments, discussing constitutional questions, and examining how civic institutions work.
Programs for Your Community
We welcome inquiries from museums, historic sites, libraries, churches, historical societies, homeschool groups, and patriotic organizations.
Whether you are arranging a group meeting, classroom activity, or public event, we will work with you to discuss a suitable subject and format.
Length & Format
For planning purposes, a 30–60-minute talk is a useful starting point. Hands-on activities, demonstrations, and extended discussion may require additional time. The final length is agreed upon when arranging your program.
Formats can include an illustrated presentation, a guided discussion, a living-history demonstration, or a talk paired with a participatory activity. We tailor the format to your audience’s age range, group size, venue, and educational goals.
Plan Your Program
To inquire, please tell us:
• Your organization and contact information
• Your preferred topic or program type
• The audience’s approximate size and age range
• Your location and preferred date
• Any scheduling, accessibility, or educational needs
Programs are scheduled by appointment and subject to availability. Fees and travel arrangements are discussed according to the scope and location of your event.
