Listen to lessons from the ‘Queen of Juneteenth’
Juneteenth celebrates emancipation. Historian David Brion Davis called slavery’s eradication “probably the greatest landmark of willed moral progress in human history.” The conservative Wall Street Journal columnist Jason L. Riley said, “What makes America unique is not slavery. It’s emancipation.” Those American history statements also address world history. That’s how much Juneteenth matters. And that’s where my lesson from Bailey comes in.
African Landing Memorial at Fort Monroe honors enslaved Africans and descendants
During a conversation at Fort Monroe ahead of Juneteenth, Tucker told me that the oral history in her family passed down for over 400 years reveals they are descendants of Antony and Isabella, two of the nearly 20 enslaved Africans who arrived on the White Lion privateer ship at Point Comfort in 1619.
Point Comfort: The little-known birthplace of African American culture
Forty years after receiving an anonymous tip, one man has been working to rewrite Black history to show where and how the first Africans arrived in the British Colonies.
Black students took a field trip to the birthplace of American slavery and walked away feeling empowered
In 1619, enslaved people were first taken to a site that later became a Union stronghold in Confederate territory. Now an educator uses the destination to teach about freedom.
Virginia's first 'Green Book' historical marker installed in Hampton for Bay Shore Hotel
In the late 1890’s, a group of investors purchased the plot of land near what is current day Buckroe Beach that would eventually become the Bay Shore Hotel. It was also a frequently advertised entity published in Victor Hugo Green’s “Green Book,” the safe traveling motorist guide for African Americans in the mid-1900’s.
A Husband-and-Wife Team in Hampton, Virginia are Black Innkeepers
The Magnolia House Inn, located in Hampton, Virginia is one of many examples of Black-owned businesses that are nestled in the cracks of small and large towns across America. Word of mouth is often extremely important. These small establishments greatly benefit from customers providing online reviews and sharing information about them with friends and family. Some of them aim to remain top-of-mind in a world where big businesses can drown out their presence and voices.
NASA Langley’s "Hidden Figures" get historical markers in downtown Hampton
The Hidden Figures. The Oscar-nominated film came out five years ago, based on a book of the same name by Hampton native Margot Lee Shetterly. It tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson and Dorothy Vaughan, among the first Black women who worked as mathematicians at Hampton’s NASA Langley Research Center. They did crucial calculations for early rocket missions in the mid-20th century despite facing rampant racism and sexism.
Fort Monroe’s 1619 commemoration challenges attendees to look at Black history with different perspective
Fort Monroe was full of music, dancing and reflection Saturday as a crowd gathered to commemorate the 402 years since the first Africans were brought to the shores of Point Comfort in what would become Hampton.
Destination Vacation: Fort Monroe, Virginia
Now that it’s spring, you may be looking for new things to do outside. With a history dating back 400 years, Fort Monroe is tucked away in Hampton and offers plenty of space for exploration and education.
NEWS: Phoebus Rising
The historic town of Phoebus is in the midst of another resurgence and revitalization. There is a palpable sense of excitement and progress in the air, and it’s infectious! Some say it has been a long time coming — now it seems that all the pieces are falling into place.
Reck on the Road: Black History Driving Tour
The Hampton Convention and Visitor Bureau has put together a driving tour of black history sights for Black History Month and beyond. Check out a few of the spots in this week’s Reck on the Road.
15 U.S. Cities with Black History Sites You Must See
There are so many Black history sites across the country that commemorate important moments in not only Black history but American history. Many of these sites celebrate the awesome achievements of Black Americans while others honor the lives of so many who were unjustly taken from us.
Hampton heritage site driving tour commemorates Black history month
When considering places in Hampton to celebrate African American heritage, it’s not surprising to see the Fort Monroe National Monument listed as point of destination.
‘400 Years Forward’ driving tour in Hampton celebrates Black history
The 400 Years Forward driving tour through Hampton is a great way to celebrate the city’s rich African American heritage during Black History Month.
Where to Go in the South in 2021
Hampton, Virginia is often overshadowed by nearby destinations like Virginia Beach but the city has a lot of history. It was here that one of the first slave ships arrived in 1619. NASA also does a lot of work in Hampton. Learn about the area’s legacy at the Hampton History Museum, the Virginia Air and Space Museum, and Fort Monroe.
9 National Park Sites Tied to Black History
Virginia’s Fort Monroe National Monument is the largest stone fort in American history as well as the site of Chief Black Hawk’s detainment, Civil War salvation, and the first arrival of Africans to the continent.
18 Museums & Historic Sites to Learn About Virginia’s Black History
With the earliest Africans coming to shore in Virginia in 1619, the Commonwealth’s history is filled with important, complicated, and often painful stories, led by notable Black individuals that shaped Virginia as well as the entire United States. Visit a few of these powerful museums and historic sites to learn about Virginia’s nearly 400 years of Black history.