The 2019 Commemoration Commission and the Hampton History Museum are commemorating 1619 which signifies the First Africans landing at Point Comfort in Hampton.
“If for no other reason, it is important we have a conversation about what took place at Point Comfort in 1619 because it forever changed the course of the country,” said Luci Cochran, executive director at the Hampton History Museum. “The legacy of this event affects us all and understanding this complex history and legacy helps us to come together as Americans.”
The enslaved Africans arrived via White Lion, an English privateer ship and were traded in exchange for supplies, according to the city of Hampton’s news release. In addition, these people were the first recorded Africans to arrive the English controlled American Colonies.
We invite you to participate in 1619-2019 Commemoration at Fort Monroe activities on August 23-25, 2019 in recognition of the first Landing of Africans in English North America.
Learn more: https://t.co/DDtwxKu9G5 pic.twitter.com/bz8VTcXiHS
— City of Hampton (@cityofhampton) August 9, 2019
There will be a variety of events during the weekend of Aug. 23-25 besides the Commemoration ceremony, including reflections, panel discussions and cultural activities. The museum will also share its traveling 1619 exhibit. See their research report and other frequently asked questions here.
The 2019 Commemoration of the First African Landing is at Fort Monroe, near Fenwick Road and Ingalls Road on Aug. 24 from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
Those interested in volunteering for the Commemoration or other events happening at Fort Monroe should visit the First African Landing website. For more information of the Commemoration and other activities, visit the Hampton 1619 Commemoration website.
