400 Years Forward - Hampton, VA

08/28/2026

Join us tomorrow at Fort Monroe at 9 am for the culminating programs of this profound week of African Landing Commemoration events.

08/28/2026

Join us with William Tucker 1624 Society tomorrow on our second to last day before the entire week culminates on Saturday!

To sign up and learn more about tomorrow and Saturday, visit:
https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/african-landing-commemoration-week-4860955?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=odclsxcollection&utm-source=cp&aff=odclsxcollection

This week, we commemorate the 1619 landing at Point Comfort of the first recorded Africans in English Virginia; honor their lives and legacy; celebrate the cultures and traditions carried forward through generations; and reflect on a history that continues to shape our nation. Participate in reflection, culture, history, and more throughout the different opportunities!

400 Years Forward - Hampton, VA, WHRO Public Media, VA250 - American Revolution 250 Commission, Virginia is for Lovers, The DAY Program, Fort Monroe's Casemate Museum, Project 1619 Inc., Hampton, VA - Gov, Visit Hampton, Virginia!

08/27/2026

The William Tucker 1624 Society continues its African Landing Commemoration programming today with A Conversation with Descendants of the White Lion.

We’ll begin the day with a sold-out Another View Live, then turn our attention to this afternoon’s panel discussion.

Thursday, August 27th
4:00–5:30 p.m.
Fort Monroe Visitor Center

Moderated by The Honorable Dr. Sesha Joi Moon, the panel will feature Ric Murphy, Dr. Edward C. Davis IV, Dr. Wanda Tucker, and Dr. Jacqueline Jones Royster.

Join us for an important conversation about descendants, history, memory, and the legacy connected to the White Lion.

The program is FREE and open to the public.

See the remaining African Landing Commemoration Week schedule at 400YearsForward.com.

08/27/2026

Join us today!

08/24/2026

African Landing Commemoration Week is off to a great start!

Saturday’s rain didn’t stop the Enslaved African Landing Ceremony as the community came together to honor the arrival, resilience, and enduring legacy of the first recorded Africans in English North America. And the commemoration continues throughout this week!

Upcoming events invite the community to explore African American history, culture, genealogy, storytelling, and the lasting impact of the African Landing through meaningful conversations and experiences.

Join us for events including drum and dance workshops and lectures - Remembering Freedom’s Voices, Building Your Genealogical Story, Story in the Stitches, Words Matter, A Journey with Journalists, and more.

African Landing Commemoration Week continues through August 29. Learn more about upcoming events and how you can participate at VisitHampton.com/AFL.

08/21/2026

Update 8/21/2026: Due to anticipated inclement weather, Enslaved African Landing Day, scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22, at Fort Monroe, has been moved indoors to the Hampton Roads Convention Center, located at 1610 Coliseum Drive in Hampton.

The event will continue as scheduled from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and remains free and open to the public.

Enslaved African Landing Day is the kickoff event for African Landing Commemoration Week, Aug. 22-29, honoring the arrival of the first recorded Africans in English North America at Point Comfort, present-day Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort, in 1619. The annual commemoration recognizes the resilience, contributions and enduring legacy of Africans and their descendants.

The event will feature African drumming and dancing, speakers, a bell-ringing and, community exhibits, vendors, and opportunities for reflection and remembrance.

Organizers made the location change to provide a safe and comfortable environment for attendees while maintaining the full spirit and significance of the commemoration.

African Landing Commemoration Week continues through Aug. 29 with a full schedule of educational programs, cultural experiences, community conversations, wellness activities and special events throughout Hampton.

For the latest event information and schedule updates, go to VisitHampton.com/AFL

Gather your family for thought-provoking events honoring heritage, family, and culture on the anniversary of the first Africans’ arrival.

08/20/2026

During African Landing Commemoration Week Aug. 22-29, experience an outdoor, projected live reading of this awe-inspiring picture book with author and #1 New York Times best selling illustrator Nikkolas Smith!

Fossil records show that the first humans were born in Africa. Meaning, every person on Earth can trace their ancestry back to that continent. The History of We celebrates our shared ancestors’ ingenuity and achievements and imagines what these firsts would have looked and felt like.

Aug 23, Aug. 24, Aug. 25 8 pm - Come and experience an outdoor, projected recorded reading of "The History of We." https://bit.ly/4xWpQbK

Aug. 26 8 pm - Come and experience an outdoor, LIVE reading of "The History of We" read by Nikkolas Smith. https://bit.ly/3U9nh7r

For more information and a complete list of African Landing Commemoration Week events visit: VisitHampton.com/AFL


Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort Hampton University Alumni Affairs

08/19/2026

Come listen, learn and be a part of the conversation during African Landing Commemoration Week Aug. 22-29! Join powerful lectures and panel discussions exploring history, heritage and the lasting legacy of the African Landing.

African Landing Commemoration Week honors the arrival of the first recorded Africans in English North America at Point Comfort, present-day Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort, in 1619.

Lecture series:
Aug. 23 – “Healing Beyond Survival”
Aug. 24 – “Remembering Freedom’s Voices”
Aug. 26 – “Building Your Genealogical Story” and “The Story in the Stitches”
Aug. 27 – “White Lion Descendants’ Conversation," “Words Matter” and "Fireside Chat"
Aug. 28 – “A Journey with a Journalist”

Whether you’re interested in discovering your family history, hearing stories from the past or joining meaningful conversations about their impact today, we invite you to join us!

For more information and a complete list of events visit: VisitHampton.com/AFL


William Tucker Society Hampton History Museum Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort VA250 - American Revolution 250 Commission Project 1619 Inc.

08/19/2026

Interested in taking an West African dance or drumming class, participating in a wellness activity, or experiencing spoken word? Sign up and participate during African Landing Commemoration Week Aug. 22-29!

African Landing Commemoration Week honors the arrival of the first recorded Africans in English North America at Point Comfort, present-day Fort Monroe at Old Point Comfort, in 1619. Throughout the week we come together to reflect, learn, and honor the enduring legacy of African people and culture.

🪘Aug. 24 - youth West African drum or dance class and poetry and spoken word art walk.

🧘🏾‍♂️ Aug. 25 - beach meditation and chair yoga, senior fitness class, West African drum or dance class for all ages.

We hope to see you there as we commemorate, connect, and reflect together! For a full list of African Landing Commemoration Week events visit: Visithampton.com/AFL

The DAY Program

08/17/2026