February is known as Black History Month and cities across the Peninsula are celebrating African-American leaders’ legacy and memorable moments in history.
Here’s a list of localities that have Black History Month events. Some of the events are free, others require a fee but all are open to the public.
Williamsburg/James City County/ York County
- African-American Cultural Heritage Month- Feb. 1-29 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Forgotten Soldier: African Americans in the Revolutionary War – Feb. 1 to Mar. 22 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Teen Poetry Night- A tribute to African-American History Month– Feb. 15 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Virginia’ First Africans at Historic Jamestowne– Feb. 19 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m.
- Stepping Into Excellence Black Expo 2020- Feb. 22 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
- The Lemon Project Open House at Special Collections- Feb. 28 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- After Angelo at Jamestown Settlement- Feb. 29 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Newport News
- Black History Month: Africans and African Americans- Maritime- Feb. 8 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Drinking Gourd: A Quest for Freedom at the Virginia Living Museum- Multiple dates each Saturday in February at 4:30 p.m. Free.
- 100 Years Strong – An exhibition of Huntington High School- Feb. 8 to 29. Opening reception Feb. 8 at 2 p.m.
- Warriors Don’t Cry at the Ferguson Center for the Arts- Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. Admission is $8.
- Black History Month: Nathan Richardson as Frederick Douglass- Feb. 15 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
- Black History Gospel Concert- Feb. 16 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
- Black History Prayer Breakfast– Feb. 22 at 9 a.m.
- Black History Month: African Maritime Collage– Feb. 22 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- 100 Years Strong Documentary- Feb. 23 from noon to 5 p.m.
- MELC Black History Month Program– Feb. 27 at 6 p.m.
- Black History Month: Anansi the Trickster- Feb. 29 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
- Pass It On! – A Black History Month presentation- Feb. 29 at noon. Free.
The Virginia Living Museum has pop-up activities but there is no strict schedule, Judy Triska, marketing director for the museum, wrote in an email.
“Visitors can check with the front desk upon arrival to see if the pop up station is taking place during their visit,” she added.
Hampton
- 23rd Annual Black History Breakfast– Feb. 8 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
- JBLE African American History Month Observance– Feb. 6 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
