GLOUCESTER — Gloucester County is joining other like-named communities throughout the U.S. and abroad through the newly-formed “Gloucester Collaboration.”
Through the commemoration of the Gloucester County-born Virginia icon, Pocahontas, a relationship was formed and resulted in several visits back and forth with people from Gravesend and Gloucester, England. Gravesend is noted as the location in which Pocahontas is buried.
The idea of connecting with citizens of Gloucester, England is now being expanded nationally and internationally to other localities bearing the Gloucester name.
There are currently eleven other Gloucester communities in five different countries that would be able to participate.
The goal is to “provide cultural and educational exchanges that will facilitate opportunities for government diplomacy and citizen connections,” according to a Nov. 18 release from Gloucester County.
The new program will be managed and facilitated by local nonprofit The Pocahontas Project (TPP).
“The Gloucester Collaboration also intends to promote environmental stewardship on a global scale focusing on local efforts in each community of Gloucester, especially as it relates to rivers and streams,” the release said.
The inaugural Gloucester Collaborative event will take place on Monday, March 21, 2022.
Gloucester, England celebrates “Gloucester Day” on the first Saturday of September, which will serve as another opportunity for the like-named localities to celebrate their heritages and build global relationships.
Program facilitators also hope to connect younger generations, as Gloucester High School students will be communicating with their peers from other Gloucester High Schools in the U.S., England, Canada and Australia.
For more information about the program, contact Community Engagement and Public Information Manager Gloria Mazzella Williams at (804) 693-5730 or gwilliams@gloucesterva.info.
