The site served as the seat of Virginia's colonial government for 75 years. Here in May 1765, Patrick Henry denounced the Stamp Act, and on May 15, 1776, a Virginia Convention unanimously proposed that the Continental Congress declare the United Colonies free and independent states. On June 12, 1776, a Virginia Convention approved George Mason's Declaration of Rights, and on June 29 adopted the first constitution for the new Commonwealth of Virginia.
