St. John's Church

Location: 2401 E. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23223

Phone:  (804) 648-5015, 1-877-915-1775 toll free

Website: http://historicstjohnschurch.org/

Reenactments of the “Give me liberty or give me death” speech are performed regularly and are free. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $5 each in order to avoid the line. Check the events page for upcoming reenactments.

Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM, Last tour leaves at 3:30 PM each day. Free street parking is available

Ticket Prices:

$8.00 Adults

$7.00 Seniors (ages 62 and over)

$6.00 Students (age 7-18)

Free – Children under 7

Visited: Sunday, 2/19/17, 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

We attended a reenactment on a beautiful Sunday afternoon. Photos are not allowed during the performance, but it is occasionally filmed. The actors will announce that it is being filmed prior to the performance. On the day we went, a crew was there filming the reenactment to be aired later on Public Television.

We were seated, and noticed the seats are all reserved for the actors. So, if you wanted to, you could pick a seat beside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, or any of the others!

Each event opens with singing the fight songs of each branch of the military. Then a brief introduction is made about what led up to the event – Lord Dunmore was in Williamsburg, the 50 miles between Richmond and Williamsburg afforded enough of a buffer for them to have ample warning if soldiers were coming.

The costumed reenactors entered and took the positions where they had originally sat during the Virginia Convention of 1775. The convention debates whether or not to become defensive. The actors sit in the same spots as the men they’re pretending to be, among the audience. The event ends with Patrick Henry giving his impassioned Liberty or Death speech. Since there was no way to record speeches in that era, the speech was documented from memory by those who had attended. 

After the actors exit to the side of the church, the audience can follow and take photos and talk to them about the events of the time.

It's interesting to explore the grounds as well. The graveyard has many old headstones, including the grave of Edgar Alan Poe’s mother.

Be sure to check out the gift shop as well!