400 Years Forward - Hampton, VA

05/25/2025

See A Juneteenth Pageant-The PLAY on Saturday, June 14 at 3 or 7:30 PM at The American Theatre!

An Evening of History, Music, Laughter, and Secrets! This moving, often humorous, and memorable experience illuminates the origins and meaning of Juneteenth, the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. You will laugh and you may cry; most of all you will be enlightened to the true meaning of Juneteenth, also known as ‘Freedom Day!’

Written and Directed by Marie St. Clair. Presented by the Hampton History Museum Association and Hampton Arts. Admission $10. Tickets are anticipated to sell out. https://www.hamptonarts.org/events/detail/a-juneteenth-pageant-the-play

More Juneteenth events: https://visithampton.com/juneteenth-in-hampton/

05/22/2025

The Sankofa Projects hosts their 14th Annual International Day of Remembrance at Outlook Beach at the Fort Monroe National Monument on Saturday, June 14, at 11 am.

Remembrance is a spiritual ceremony honoring the millions of African men, women, and children who perished during the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

The day’s events will include an annual Ceremonial Remembrance Walk around the Tree of Remembrance, a procession to the water, poetry, drumming and traditional songs and theatrical performances. At 12:00 noon an International Libation will be orchestrated by Baba Orimalade Ogunjimi of Ile Nago and will occur simultaneously internationally.

Free and open to the public. Attire: White or Traditional African garb. Beach-appropriate shoes. What to Bring: Fresh flowers for the Ancestral Offering. Beach chairs, blankets, and other beach paraphernalia. Bring your DRUMS and other music makers to celebrate these Ancestors and this culture!

More Juneteenth events: https://visithampton.com/juneteenth-in-hampton/

05/20/2025

Here in Hampton, Virginia, Juneteenth holds special meaning. This city is not only where the first Africans in English North America arrived in 1619—it’s also where Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort earned the nickname “Freedom’s Fortress” during the Civil War because it served as a refuge for thousands of enslaved people fleeing the Confederacy, and where the Emancipation Proclamation was first read in the South, beneath the legendary Emancipation Oak at Hampton University- Official.

With such powerful ties to African American history, Hampton is the perfect place to honor Juneteenth. From engaging museum exhibits to meaningful community events, there are many ways to reflect, celebrate, and learn. Here’s how you can take part in this year’s Juneteenth commemorations in Hampton: https://visithampton.com/juneteenth-in-hampton/

05/14/2025

Join us for an inspiring evening as we honor a pivotal moment in American history — the Contraband Decision of 1861, which opened the path to freedom for thousands of enslaved people.

Hear the powerful story of Frank Baker, Shepard Mallory, and James Townsend, three brave men who escaped enslavement and sought refuge at Fort Monroe. In a historic move, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler declared them “Contraband of War” — a bold decision that marked the beginning of a mass movement toward emancipation.

This commemoration will celebrate their courage, faith, and the hope that fueled a historic quest for freedom.

Don't miss it!!
This commemoration will celebrate the Contrabands courage, faith, and the hope that fueled an historic quest for freedom.

Join us for light refreshments and a chance to connect and socialize!

05/05/2025

🚀✨ Celebrate the legacy of the black women who helped launch America into space—right here in Hampton! 🖤

Before NASA had digital computers, it had human ones—brilliant African American women like Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, Christine Darden, and Hampton native Mary Jackson whose groundbreaking work helped send astronauts into orbit and to the moon.

Discover their powerful stories when you visit:
📍 Hampton History Museum – Step into “When the Computer Wore a Skirt,” an exhibit with an inspiring look at the women behind the math who helped change the world.
📍 Virginia Air & Space Science Center – See historic markers honoring the Hidden Figures and explore NASA’s trailblazing past as you enter. Inside, look for the Dr. Christine Darden Literary Center which houses a small collection of children’s books that inspire aviation curiosity. You can even find some of the books in the gift shop!
🗺️ Bonus: Visit the statue of Mary Jackson at Hampton University- Official's Legacy Park for a moment of reflection on her local roots and global impact.

04/29/2025

The VA Black Film Festival returns to Hampton for the ultimate Juneteenth Celebration! The celebration includes a free Juneteenth Beach Party and a free Juneteenth Concert with various presentations, film screenings at Hampton University- Official and The American Theatre, along with several distinguished speakers and a free Black Business Expo showcasing the best black-owned businesses in Hampton Roads.

https://virginiablackfilmfestival.com/expo/

There is still time to become a vendor in the Black Business Expo or to become a VBFF sponsor!

The Hampton Roads Black Business Expo is one component of the 2nd annual Virginia Black Film Festival, which begins on Juneteenth and last throughout the weekend with Film Screenings, Expert Panels, Celebrity Guests, and an exclusive Awards Gala, in addition to the Black Business Expo. This entire ...

04/15/2025

Come out and celebrate the rich diversity of Hampton at the Mosaic Festival, where culture, art, music, and heritage blend together! Enjoy live performances, explore local artisans, savor delicious cuisine, and take part in interactive activities for all ages. Free admission.

When: Saturday, April 26th from 10 am - 5 pm
Location: Mill Point Park (100 Eaton St, Hampton, VA 23669) and surrounding area in Downtown Hampton
Learn More: hampton.gov/mosaic

04/10/2025

Check out Hampton University- Official's Mid-Atlantic Black Farmers Caucus on Saturday, April 12th, from 8 AM - 3 PM at Booker T. Washington Lawn (Lot 11, 700 Emancipation Dr.) for:
- Fresh produce & local goods
- Cooking demos
- Garden tours
- Live music & community vibes

This event is FREE & open to the public, so bring your family, friends, and an appetite for delicious, farm-fresh products! Support Black farmers, shop local, and celebrate sustainability!

04/08/2025

Experience the heart of Hampton’s rich history and culture with our self-guided walking tour. Stroll through our historic city and listen to captivating audio narratives at each stop, immersing yourself in the stories that shaped Hampton into the charming coastal gem it is today. https://visithampton.com/cellphonetours

Audio narratives include:
🔴 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝: Join us on the 400 Years Forward Tour, as we explore Hampton, Virginia’s Black history and culture from 1619 to today. Visit 11 locations in Hampton while listening to stories from the descendants and keepers of this history.

⚫ 𝐀𝐛𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐆𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐬: this historic neighborhood was built “for Blacks by Blacks” in 1934 as part of the New Deal Settlement. Listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register, Aberdeen Gardens is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

🟢 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐫𝐨𝐞: For more than 400 years, Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort has served as the key defensive site at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay.

⚫ 𝐇𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲: Hampton University- Official one of the country’s most prestigious HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), this campus tour includes the Emancipation Oak – an icon of the civil rights movement in America.

Check out all the Hampton cell phone tours at https://visithampton.com/cellphonetours 📱🎧

04/02/2025

Learn the stories of Frank Baker, James Townsend, and Shepard Mallory who bravely escaped slavery and sought refuge at Fort Monroe, setting the stage for it to become known as ‘Freedom’s Fortress.’ Their actions led to the Contraband Decision, a pivotal moment in the fight for freedom.

Visit the Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort Visitor & Education Center with the Black History Sites Pass and Experience the History for yourself! https://visithampton.com/tickets/black-history-month/

03/18/2025

Have you been to Scratch Bakery - Phoebus yet? Owner Lashonda Sanford's delicious desserts have been featured on Food Network's “Holiday Baking Championship” in 2020 and QVC’s "Foodie Travel Series: A Taste of the Chesapeake Bay." And yes - it's made from scratch 👌👩‍🍳😘