The Virginia Council (TVC) was established in 2021 after two years of unrest and deep division across the Commonwealth. In Richmond, much of the anger focused on Confederate monuments, but other memorials — like one of Christopher Columbus — were also targeted. This unrest revealed a deeper crisis: Virginians no longer agreed on how to understand our history and national identity.
What began as a debate over moving statues became a broader push to rewrite history. Priceless landmarks—especially those tied to Richmond’s Civil War legacy—were destroyed or removed. This was more than a change in public art. It reflected a refusal to deal honestly with the past.
During this time, innocent people were harassed, small businesses were harmed, and emergency powers were used to restrict open debate. These events marked a turning point. They raised a serious question: Will we preserve our past—or erase it?
We also discovered that truth itself lay at the heart of the cultural divide. Some activist groups questioned whether truth even exists. They often viewed all traditions and institutions as tools of oppression and rejected any history connected to them.
In response, The Virginia Council formed as a volunteer-led organization committed to honoring Virginia’s role in the American story. We defend the founding principles that uphold liberty and promote an informed citizenry through honest dialogue and the study of the institutions that safeguard our rights.
We believe the past is real and knowable. This view—called historical realism—seeks to understand what truly happened through evidence and context. We support preserving history rather than reshaping it to match current social or political views. Real understanding and unity come from facing the full truth—not by ignoring or erasing it.
Historical realism does not defend every part of the past. It calls us to face wrongs honestly, without denial or distortion. Only then can we make sound moral judgments and apply our constitutional principles fairly and wisely.
The Founders created a Constitution for a diverse republic—one made up of many backgrounds, beliefs, and ways of life. Reasoned dialogue on fundamental beliefs may seem impossible, but we believe it is the only path to genuine reconciliation. We welcome all Virginians to take part in civic dialogue about our shared identity. Our goal is not to impose one interpretation of history, but to invite honest reflection on the values and events that have shaped our state and nation.
The work of the Virginia Council is just beginning. Join us! Together, we can ensure that Virginia’s history leads us toward a more united, informed, and free future.
