400 Years Forward - Hampton, VA

06/07/2026

Through storytelling, music, and performance, history comes to life during A Juneteenth Pageant – The Play! Written and directed by Marie St. Clair, this powerful production celebrates the significance of Juneteenth while exploring themes of freedom, resilience, family, and community.

Thanks to popular demand, there are two showings scheduled at The American Theatre: Friday, June 19 at 7:30 PM and Saturday, June 20 at 2 PM. Get your tickets at https://www.hamptonarts.org/events/detail/a-juneteenth-pageant-the-play-1 before they sell out!

Presented with support from the Hampton History Museum, this play offers audiences an opportunity to reflect on the past, honor the journey toward freedom, and celebrate the rich cultural heritage that continues to shape our communities today.

What stories, traditions, or lessons have been passed down through your family that help keep history alive? Share below.

06/05/2026

Throughout June, we honor the journey toward freedom, reflect on our shared history, and celebrate the resilience, culture, and legacy of Juneteenth. Join us for commemorative ceremonies, cultural experiences, educational programs, and community gatherings across the city.

Explore the full lineup of events and plan your visit: https://visithampton.com/juneteenth-in-hampton/

05/27/2026

Join us at Fort Monroe on June 19 for, Navigating Freedom: Celebrate Juneteenth & Hampton VA250 Sail, a day-long celebration of history, culture and freedom. View the Sail250® Virginia Parade of Sail, a major maritime event featuring international tall ships and military vessels, at the Fort Monroe seawall as it makes its way to downtown Norfolk. Enjoy a powerful Juneteenth celebration headlined by Musiq Soulchild and cultural displays, food and vendors. https://visithampton.com/event/celebrate-juneteenth-hampton-va250-sail/

Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort VA250 - American Revolution 250 Commission Hampton, VA - Gov Sail250 Virginia

05/26/2026

Have you gotten your tickets for the Hampton Jazz & Music Festival yet? Three days. One stage. Nothing but timeless music and unforgettable moments.

June 26-28, 2026 at Hampton Coliseum. Featuring:
• Friday, 6/26: Jagged Edge, Dru Hill, 702, Next, Lil' Mo
• Saturday, 6/27: Kirk Franklin, Jodeci, Tonio Armoni, Pokey Bear, Marcus Anderson
• Sunday, 6/28: Charlie Wilson, Isley Brothers, El DeBarge, Marion Meadows and Alex Bugnon


https://www.facebook.com/reel/1310545191223131

05/21/2026

Experience the legacy of African American Art & Culture at Hampton University Museum.

Step inside the oldest African American museum in the U.S. and explore one of the most impressive multicultural art collections in America!

The museum’s collections, which instill a pride of ethnic identity and knowledge of world cultures, include the first assemblage of African art collected by African American William H. Shepperd and it is the first institutional collection of work by African American artists. The museum is also home to stunning works from the Harlem Renaissance period, including the Countee and Ida Cullen Art Collection. Discover masterpieces by renowned artists like John T. Biggers, Elizabeth Catlett, and Samella S. Lewis, all of whom have deep ties to Hampton’s artistic legacy.

Beyond its African American Fine Art Collection, the museum features African, Native American, and Hampton History Galleries, offering a deeper connection to diverse cultures and stories.

Admission is Free & Open to the public. Located on the Hampton University campus.

NEW SATURDAY HOURS
Starting June 6, 2026

In addition to our regular weekday hours, we will be open Saturdays from noon to 4:00 PM.

Admission is free and open to the public.

05/13/2026

NEW SATURDAY HOURS
Starting June 6, 2026

In addition to our regular weekday hours, we will be open Saturdays from noon to 4:00 PM.

Admission is free and open to the public.

04/25/2026

04/20/2026

Join us at Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort on May 22 for Contraband Historical Society's The Emerging History of the American Contrabands Symposium.

This two-day event brings together descendants, historians, and community members to share stories, research, and the history of self-emancipated people during the Civil War.

📅 May 22 & 23, 2026
🎟 Free and open to the public; Registration closes May 13.
📺 Livestream available

Learn more: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-emerging-history-of-american-contrabands-a-symposium-at-fort-monroe-tickets-1979750121908?aff=visithamptonva

04/01/2026

On April 1, 1868 General Samuel Chapman Armstrong established the Hampton Normal and Agricultural Institute – now known as Hampton University- Official. The Institute was meant to be a place where Black students could receive post-secondary education to become teachers, as well as training in useful job skills while paying for their education through manual labor. Rich in history, steeped in tradition, today Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and graduate degree programs.

📍 Take a stroll through Legacy Park (on the HU campus) to learn more about notable figures in HU's and America's histories.

03/09/2026

Discover the rich history of Hampton's seafood industry! Did you know that our city was once known as "Crabtown"? From the late 19th to early 20th centuries, Hampton's seafood industry boomed, thanks to the hard work of local men and women, many of whom were formerly enslaved. They worked as watermen, oyster shuckers, crab pickers, boat builders, and in many other vital roles.

📍 Learn more about the people and stories behind our city's history at the Hampton History Museum, 120 Old Hampton Ln, Hampton, VA, 23669.

Image: Crab pickers at S.S. Coston & Co., 1907. The S.S. Coston Company plant in Hampton, established in 1899, transported fresh crab meat to as far away as Chicago and Salt Lake City. The crab meat was meticulously picked by workers, mostly African-American women. via Hampton History Museum