The 2026 show calendar

Before Benedict Arnold conspired to hand over the important fortifications at West Point, New York, and turned his back on the Patriot cause to join the British, he was George Washington’s ablest battlefield commander. Hear Arnold discuss his early life, military career in the Continental and British armies, and explain his motivations for abandoning the fight for America independence and taking up arms against his young nation.

Presenter: Marc Holma graduated from Virginia Tech with a B.A. in history, and he holds an M.S. in Historic Preservation degree from Ball State University. After serving in the Army as an officer in a tank battalion, he taught history at St. John’s Military Academy in Wisconsin. Marc can often be seen portraying Thomas Jefferson at St. John’s Church and at other events and venues. Marc is an architectural historian with the Department of Historic Resources.

Richard Henry Lee, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, was an influential Founding Father.  In June 1776, he drafted the “Lee Resolution,” the motion in the Second Continental Congress that called for independence from Great Britain.  He served as the sixth president of Congress under the Articles of Confederation.  Once the Constitution was adopted, Lee served as a United States Senator.

Presenter: Dick Cheatham is a leadership consultant, educator, professional speaker and historian. He has appeared on BBC, PBS and The Learning Channel.  

According to tradition, Betsy Ross is credited with sewing the first United States flag. A symbol of patriotism, Ross is often celebrated as the woman who helped George Washington finish the design. Hear Ross tell the story of the first flag and her fascinating life.

Presenter: Debbie Phillips is a well-known local actress and historical guide.  She has previously portrayed Sarah Elmira Royster Shelton, Eliza Poe, Martha Washington, and Abigail Adams for previous summer sessions of The Parsons’ Cause Foundation. 

In 1776, Thomas Paine published “Common Sense,” the first pamphlet to advocate American independence. After writing the “The American Crisis” papers during the Revolutionary War, Paine returned to Europe and offered a stirring defense of the French Revolution with “Rights of Man.” 

Presenter: Beau Robbins is an historical interpreter, speaker, consultant for historical artists, and historical tailor. He has performed at historical sites and events throughout the US including national and state parks.

John Murray, Fourth Earl of Dunmore, better known as Lord Dunmore, was the last Royal Governor of the Colony of Virginia. He is known for disbanding the Virginia House of Burgesses and issuing “Dunmore’s Proclamation,” a 1775 document offering freedom to the enslaved if they fought for the British against the Virginia colonists. Dunmore fled Virginia after the burning of Norfolk in 1776. Hear his tale of how he tried to restore order to a rebellious colony.

Presenter: Bill Rose has lived in central and eastern Virginia his whole life. He proudly served in the US Navy Seabees during Operation Desert Shield/Storm. Bill began his career as a historical interpreter in 1989 and went into business with his wife, Lee Ann, founding Shades of Our Past, LLC in 2016.