The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is opening a new event titled “The African-American Solider” this weekend.
The event is included in museum admission and is free for residents of York County, James City County and Williamsburg with proof of residency.
Students who attend the College of William & Mary also get free admission.
Attendees can expect to see first-person portrayals of soldiers in African-American regiments from the Revolutionary, Civil and World War II, a WWII radio show reminiscent of the Armed Forces Radio Service broadcast with African-American musicians and hands-on programming, according to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s news release.
Shades of Our Past LLC will present the reenactments at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. on both event days.
“The event is held in conjunction with the “Forgotten Soldier” special exhibition, on display through March 22, 2020, sharing personal stories of African Americans on both sides of the American Revolution and their contributions toward establishing an independent nation,” according to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown’s announcement. “Rare documents and artifacts, interactives and compelling art trace the experiences of African-American soldiers who took part in the American cause for a free and independent nation or took up arms for British forces in hopes of obtaining their own freedom.”
In addition, those who attend the featured exhibit can explore the museum’s outdoor Continental Army encampment, learn about the requirements and incentives for African-American soldiers to join the American and British military and see musket firing and medical techniques.
“The African-American Solider” event is at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, 200 Water St., on Nov. 9-10 from 9 am. to 5 p.m.
Regular tickets for adults cost $15, children ages 6-12 are $7.50 and those younger than 6 years old are free.
For more information about the event, visit the museum’s website.
