Poster by John Johnston of Woodson High School in Fairfax County, Virginia, who received an Honorable Mention in the 2003/2004 First Freedom Student Competition.

Council's Mission

The mission of the Council for America's First Freedom is to increase understanding and respect for religious freedom in diverse communities worldwide through education about this core human value: the freedom of thought, conscience and belief.


The Council is…

• A non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization based in Richmond, Virginia.
  
• Non-political; does not advocate a particular political viewpoint.
  
• Non-denominational; does not ally with any particular faith, but rather, holds as one of its tenets that all persons are entitled to freedom of religion.
  
  

The what and why of our work

• “First Freedom,” historical language prioritizes the fundamental belief that if the heart and mind are not free, nothing else is free. The Virginia Statute of 1786 provided the basis for First Amendment. Government will neither coerce belief nor allow bias against belief.
  
• The right to believe or not to believe should be elevated to a renewed position of preeminence in the American conscience.
  
• Through a multi-faceted educational process, the Council encourages responsibility to both understand our own beliefs while respecting the beliefs of others.
  
• Embedded in history, the American character, and the American Dream, religious freedom is our most distinctive gift to the world. The First Freedom Center, then, will be both the “face” at home, and the “hope” abroad for this issue.
  
• In a post “9/11” world, where individuals both die for faith and kill for religion, we neglect this issue in the geopolitical calculus at our considerable peril.
  

History of the Council for America’s First Freedom
The Council for America’s First Freedom was founded in 1984 to celebrate the bicentennial of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, adopted in 1786 by the Virginia General Assembly. The Virginia General Assembly was then working from temporary quarters in a warehouse near the corner of 14th and Cary Streets in an area of downtown Richmond, Virginia, known as Shockoe Slip. This document served as the template for the first clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. Through this legislation, religious freedom moved from being an abstract philosophical ideal to being a legally protected human right. Although we continue to enjoy religious freedom, the “warehouse” at 14th and Cary Streets where this landmark event occurred no longer exists and now serves as a parking lot.

The mission of the Council evolved from commemoration to education – to educate the public about the history and importance of the Statute’s guiding principle – that all persons are entitled to freedom of conscience unfettered by the State. The Council was appropriately founded in and continues to be based in Richmond.

In 2002, the Council further defined its mission and goals when its board of trustees began to focus its efforts on an educational center, the First Freedom Center. Such a facility will be dedicated to promoting understanding and respect for religious freedom. The Council’s board secured professional expertise in planning, educational program development, and capital project management. In anticipation of the Center, it completed acquisition of the historic site and surrounding properties.

An additional plan was drawn for the redevelopment of the long-vacant and deteriorating late 19th century commercial buildings adjacent to the site of the old capitol, preserving the highly visible corner and returning it to productive use for the City of Richmond. Work began in November 2004 and renovations are almost complete on these historic properties at 14th and Main Streets. The Council is working with Historic Housing LLC and SWA Architects to ensure that the integrity of the historic character of the buildings stay intact and consistent with the architecture of the Shockoe Slip Old and Historic District. These buildings will house the Council’s offices, initial educational exhibits, classroom space for programming, and 50 new apartments. The renovation of these properties is significantly contributing to the revitalization the area, providing a more attractive gateway to Main Street and downtown Richmond. The move-in date is slated for September 2006.

The Council is presently exploring the best use for the site of the old state capitol at 14th and E. Cary Streets. At issue is a choice between a stand-alone Educational Center or a mixed use facility partially devoted to residential/retail/parking possibilities. A final decision is anticipated by the spring of 2007.