First Africans Commemoration on August 15, 2026 at Jamestown Settlement
First Africans Commemoration – Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 2 pm at Jamestown Settlement
Jamestown Settlement honors the legacy of the first recorded Africans brought to Virginia in 1619 with reflections of history and modern perspectives through an African American lens. Programs will explore the history of the Africans who brought their culture, knowledge and traditions to create a new African American culture and how that legacy, after more than 400 years, is expressed today.
The Black Church Through History – Jamestown Settlement’s Robins Foundation Theater, 2 – 4 p.m. on August 15
Join us at Jamestown Settlement’s Robins Foundation Theater, 2 – 4 p.m. on August 15, for a conversation that looks at the development of the Black church through Virginia history.
Travis Harris, Ph.D. of Norfolk State University opens the discussion with a look at the primary religious artifacts found in Virginia in the 17th century. Brandon Lee will discuss Black churches in revolutionary Williamsburg, and the Reverend Dr. Carlon Lassiter of Saint John Baptist Church will lead a discussion on the importance of Black churches to the community today.
Following the presentation, guests will be treated to a performance by the Freedom Choir led by musical director and keyboardist James Marsh and featuring Sylvia Tabb Lee.
Museum gallery exhibits & films
Learn about African and African American experiences in 17th-century Virginia through Jamestown Settlement’s expansive gallery exhibits, dramatic films and engaging interactives that share the story of Virginia Indian, English and West Central African cultures.
Using period artifacts and innovative technology, exhibits share historical accounts of the first documented Africans taken from their homeland in Ndongo (Angola) in 1619 to life in the Virginia colony and the evolution of a new African American culture. The “From Africa to Virginia” multimedia presentation chronicles African encounters with Europeans, impact on African culture and the development of the transatlantic slave trade.
The documentary film, “1607: A Nation Takes Root” is shown every 30 minutes. The film traces the evolution of the Virginia Company that sponsored the Jamestown colony, examines the relationship between the English colonists and Powhatan Indians, and chronicles the arrival of the first recorded Africans in 1619 – including the story of Angelo, one of the first African women named in Jamestown’s historical record.
Attend the First Africans Commemoration event
The First Africans Commemoration special event is included with museum admission.
Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.More Info
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