In early 1776, a tense standoff between British warships and Patriot forces ended with the bombardment of Norfolk. What began as a dispute over supplies quickly spiraled into destruction, leaving one of the colonies’ largest cities in ruins. This episode looks at how Norfolk became an early casualty of the Revolution.

In colonial Virginia, religious music ranged from pipe organs and formal hymns to simple psalms and early spirituals. Different faith communities worshipped in different ways, but together their voices created a shared soundscape in a society on the edge of revolution.

Christmas in Colonial Virginia takes listeners back to the Tidewater of the 1700s, when the holiday looked and felt very different from today. From candlelit homes and twelve days of Christmastide to taverns, plantation gatherings, and wartime upheaval, the program explores how Christmas was observed across colonial Virginia—and how the coming Revolution reshaped the season in Hampton Roads, including the burning of Norfolk. Produced by WHRO Public Media in Norfolk, Virginia, as part of Revolution 250: Stories from The First Shore, this episode traces the traditions and tensions of a Virginia Christmas along America’s road to independence.

Billy Flora, a free Black sentry at the Battle of Great Bridge, fired the first shot and held his position under heavy fire. His last-minute move to slow the British advance shaped how the battle unfolded. This episode looks at his actions and why they mattered.

In December 1775, Patriots and British forces clashed at Great Bridge, a vital crossing south of Norfolk. The Patriot victory came quickly but carried major consequences, opening the way to Norfolk and shifting the momentum in Virginia. This episode explores how the battle unfolded and why it mattered.

Behind the battle lines was another fight—one for basic sustenance. Soldiers endured long stretches in camp, scarce supplies, and the uncertainty of their next meal. Discover how food shaped morale, endurance, and the Revolution itself.

During the American Revolution, many Native nations sided with Britain, hoping to slow colonial expansion into their lands. But tribes were divided, and the choices they made came with lasting consequences. This episode explores the difficult decisions facing Native communities during the war.

Robert Mursh, a Pamunkey student at the Brafferton Indian School, later became one of the Indigenous soldiers who fought in the American Revolution. From major battles to a year as a prisoner of war, his story reflects a complex and often overlooked chapter of Virginia’s past.