CELEBRATE 400
Congratulations, Hampton!
North America’s oldest, continuous English-speaking settlement celebrates its 400th anniversary this year and you are invited to the party. Hampton’s history is traced to April 30, 1607 when Captain John Smith and company landed at Kecoughtan. They declared the land brought them “great comfort,” before continuing upriver to establish Jamestown. On October 1, 1609, Fort Algernourne, one of America’s first forts, was constructed at Point Comfort—the site several fortifications would occupy. It was on July 9, 1610 that the English came to dwell at Kecoughtan, a word that means “inhabitants of a great town.”
To commemorate this highly anticipated occasion, a year-long calendar of festivities, speaker series, and legacy programs are open to all. Note the Featured Events in the Calendar on pp ____ for events that specifically highlight Hampton’s heritage and showcase of Hampton’s rich and diverse history. The Hunt for Hampton History, Thunder on the Bay-- a drumming and dancing pow-wow focusing on the Native American heritage and presence in the community—and such annual favorites as the Afrikan American Festival and Hampton Bay Days, will commemorate significant occurrences, and achievements in Hampton.
The anniversary of Hampton’s official founding date, July 9, 2010, will be celebrated with the annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival and Founders Day Celebration. The downtown waterfront sets the stage for ornate character vessels, a reenactment of Blackbeard’s capture, Blackbeard’s Ball, spectacular fireworks, and much more!
St. John’s Episcopal Church, the fourth site of worship of Elizabeth City parish which also dates to 1610, commemorates its anniversary this year. The parish will be presented with a cake baked and decorated by The Food Channel’s Ace of Cakes. Designed to resemble historic St. John’s, the cutting of this baker’s work of art will be open to the public.
Dedicated exhibits at Hampton’s cultural and fine arts attractions will recognize the invaluable contributions of the arts and photography to Hampton society. From snapshots of everyday life, to paintings and multimedia interpretations of the four centuries’ most pivotal events, Hampton lifestyle from various eras in the city’s history will be captured. These exhibits include the Cheyne Photography Exhibit at Hampton History Museum, “The City of Hampton: Through the Lens of Reuben V. Burrell and James Van Der Zee” at Hampton University Museum and “A Place Very Pleasant to Inhabit” at the Charles H. Taylor Art Center.
The momentous occasion will also be commemorated in
a series of anniversary legacy projects. The fabrication and placement
of 65 historical markers that interpret the significant historic sites will
be placed throughout the year. A 400th Anniversary Statue will also be unveiled
on the downtown waterfront. To further preserve the past, the City of Hampton
will collect 100 Oral Histories shared by Hampton residents, all available
on a dedicated web site, www.hampton400.com.
Hampton’s downtown waterfront district encompasses the site of the original
17th century seaport that served as port-of-entry for commercial vessels from
Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. Today, downtown Hampton is enhanced with
cobblestone streets lined with red brick sidewalks, crepe myrtle trees and
eclectic shops and eateries. It is dotted with restaurants, pubs, art galleries,
shops, marinas and waterfront parks. Inviting attractions like the Virginia
Air & Space Center, Hampton History Museum, Hampton University, Fort Monroe,
harbor tours and Chesapeake Bay beaches draw visitors year-round.
Hampton 400th Anniversary packages are available at hotels throughout Hampton.
Visit visithampton.com for details.
2010
MARCH 400th Anniversary Featured
Event
6 The Hunt for Hampton History: From the Sea to the Stars
Discover 400 years of culture, entertainment, war, sports, and the legendary
people who made Hampton what it is today. Free. Hampton History Museum, 9am
– 3pm, (757) 727-8311, www.hampton400.com
APRIL 400th Anniversary Feature
Event
25 Hampton’s Annual Landing Day
A reenactment of the colonists’ first landing in 1607 and the peaceful meeting
between the Kecoughtan and the European Settlers. Strawberry Banks, 3pm. Free.
(757) 727-8311
June 400th Anniversary Feature Event
25-27 Afrikan American Festival
An outdoor, non-alcoholic, family-oriented event that features nonstop entertainment.
A marketplace with over 70 vendors displaying & selling their art, crafts
etc. Live entertainment throughout the day. Food vendors. Sponsored by Peninsula
Association of Sickle Cell Anemia and the African American Commemorative Committee.
Mill Point Park, $2 donation. www.hampton400.com, (757)726-5437
July 400th Anniversary Feature Event
9-11 11th Annual Blackbeard Pirate Festival – Celebrating Hampton’s 400th
Anniversary & Hampton Founder’s Day
Hampton’s signature pirate festival sets the stage for 400th Anniversary celebrations.
Living history and family fun go hand-in-hand. Immerse yourself in early 18th
century Hampton, dress in period garb at Blackbeard’s Ball, enjoy live entertainment,
pirate encampments, children’s activities, sea battles, fireworks and more
as Hampton reenacts and celebrates the demise of Blackbeard, one of the fiercest
pirates ever known, and Hampton’s 400th anniversary. Downtown Hampton. 757-727-0900,
www.vasc.org, www.hampton400.
September 400th Anniversary Feature
Event
10-12 Hampton Bay Days
Celebrating its 28th year, this annual festival is a combines free entertainment
on two stages, a family friendly area with a children’s stage, 40 booths of
interactive educational fun that encourages stewardship of the Chesapeake
Bay, 100 Arts & Crafts booths, 35 food vendors, and one of the longest
fireworks displays in the area. Downtown Hampton. Fri, Noon to 11pm; Sat,
10am to 11pm; Sun, Noon to 6pm www.baydays.com
(757) 727-1641
September 400th Anniversary Feature
Event
17- March 15,2011 Cheyne Photography
Explore over one hundred photographs from the famous Cheyne photograph collection.
Exhibition opens at the Hampton History Museum, (757) 727-1610, www.hampton1610.com
September 400th Anniversary Feature
Event
18 Native American Festival: Thunder on the Bay
A drumming and dancing pow-wow, focusing on the continued Native American
presence in our region and on the East Coast. With educational exhibits, food
vendors, and craft vendors. Buckroe Beach Park, (757) 726-5437
December 400th Anniversary Feature
Event
11 Hampton Holly Days Parade & 400th Anniversary Fireworks
Downtown Hampton. Join us for an evening of enchantment as you view the creative
floats, listen to the high school bands, salute the military marching units
and exciting drill teams, and wave at the beauty queens. Of course this parade
is not complete without everyone’s favorite….Santa Claus. Televised live on
WVEC-TV13. 7pm. With a grand finale of fireworks. (757) 727-8311, www.hampton.gov/parks.
Ongoing events and exhibits
400th Anniversary Feature Exhibit
Daily January 29 - August 30 The City of Hampton: Through the Lens of Reuben
V. Burrell and James Van Der Zee
Reuben V. Burell began his career as the Hampton Institute school photographer.
For more than sixty years, he has provided an invaluable service to the university,
documenting its history as well as reprinting historic photographs. His photographs
include well known individuals in the city as well. James Van Der Zee is recognized
as the dean of African American photographers based on his large body of photographs
taken in Harlem, New York during more than half of the 19th century. The photographs
will share images of two categories: the everyday activities of Slabtown residents
and the academic community at Whittier Preparatory School. Hampton University
Museum, (757) 727-5308, www.hamptonu.edu/museum
400th Anniversary Feature Exhibit
Daily March 5- August 15 Hampton Yesterday and Today
Discover the evolution of four famous sites in Hampton from genesis to today.
Exhibition at the Hampton History Museum, (757) 727-1610, www.hampton1610.com
400th Anniversary Feature Exhibit
Daily April 3 – May 16 A Place Very Pleasant To Inhabit
At the Charles H. Taylor Arts Center. This exhibition will present 400 years
of Hampton’s art, from its earliest settlement through five centuries up until
today. Over 150 artworks in all media and from all periods by many artists
who have lived, worked and been inspired by Hampton will be featured. 757-727-1490,
www.hamptonarts.net