Commemoration events begin in May 2006 and continue through February of 2008. Jamestown 2007, a sub-agency of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, is coordinating efforts to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in the Americas. State, national and international commemorative events begin in spring 2006 and continue into 2008.
Virginia 2007 Community Program
Official Community Projects
May 18, 2004
Abingdon (Program Chair: Steve Galyean, 276-676-2282)
o Theme of 2007 Virginia Highlands Festival as "Come Home to Abingdon"
Barter Theater production
Exhibits and programming at William King Regional Arts Center
Programs on the importance of agriculture, particularly tobacco, to Jamestown and Washington County
Alexandria (Program Chair: Patrick Butler III, 703-549-0177)
Completion of restoration of 1864-69 Freedman’s Cemetery Memorial Park
Exhibit at the Lyceum focusing on community celebrations
Program of historic publications such as coloring books, guides to schools and churches, and other aspects of community history
Special events in the year 2007 such as a lecture series, activities involving the Alexandria Symphony, the Little Theater and historic preservation programs
City of Bedford (Program Chair: W. Scott Smith, 540-586-2148)
Completion of Centertown Bedford streetscape improvements
Development of way finding signage system
Development of heritage publications and programs
Development of "Partners in Public Art"
Brunswick County – Lake Gaston (Program Chairs: Dorothy Thomas, 434-848-6773 and Nathaniel Neblett)
o Development of walking trails at Fort Christanna
o Taste of Brunswick Festivals 2004-2006, with special emphasis on 2007 Jamestown Celebration themes
o Display of artifacts from archaeological digs at Fort Christanna for years 2002-2004
o Exchange family program
o Work with Lunenburg County on special events
Charles City County (Program Chairs: Monica Bowling, 804-350-4276 and Frederick Fisher, 804-829-2882)
o Development of Old Clerk’s Office as self-service visitors’ center
o Portable museum
o Four centuries of African-American history bus tour
o Native American site marker program
Charlottesville / Albemarle County (Program Chair: Kat Imhoff, 434-984-9802)
o Educational programs on democracy
o Lectures, public events, school programs
Chesapeake (Program Chair: Mark Shea, 757-382-6176)
Boat tours of Lake Drummond
Black History tour
Great Bridge Battlefield & Waterways Park & Visitor Center
Chesterfield County (Program Chair: Dennis Farmer, 804-777-9663)
Discussing appropriate projects and events for participation in the commemoration
Culpeper County (Program Chair: Paula Stafford, 540-727-0611)
Cultures of Virginia festival in the spring of 2007
Self-driving tour of Colonial sites
Booklet on Culpeper history
Dumfries (Town of) (Program Chair: Cathleen Lambe, 703-221-3400, ext. 133)
Main Street revitalization
Historical nature and birding trail
Special events following the 2007 Monthly Themes
Eastern Shore (Program Chairs: Laura Belle Gordy and Felton Sessoms; Contact: Rose Rulon, Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce, 757-787-2450)
o Eastern Shore Heritage Trail
Fredericksburg (Program Chair: Karen Hedelt, 540-372-1216)
Research and development of a historic sites inventory and marker program
Creation of a "heritage trail" through the city’s historic districts, neighborhoods, parks and riverfront
Special events each month based on the 2007 themes.
Fulgham-Fulghum Family National Association (Program Chairs: E. E. (Ted) Crossland,
757-898-6114 and Carolyn Fulghum, 525-355-4796)
Annual family reunion in Virginia
Establishment of the Fulgham/Fulghum Family National Archives and Museum
Galax (Program Chair: Debbie Robinson, 276-238-8130)
Galax Pageant
Community mural
Major musical event
Documentary on Mountain Music
Gwynn’s Island (Program Chair: Elizabeth DeMonte, 804-725-0243)
Expansion of the display area in the Gwynn’s Island Museum
Acquisition of artifacts and documents for display
Hampton (Program Chair: Molly Durden; Contact: Pam Graham, City of Hampton,
757-727-6370)
Oak Tree Planting throughout the city
Installation of 120 ft. flagpole with a garrison size American Flag at Ft. Wool
Annual Landing Day celebration
Renewal of exchange program with City of Hampton and Southampton, England
Harrisonburg and Rockingham County (Program Chair: Glenda Rooney, 540-568-3192)
Reenactment of Spotswood’s Discovery of the Valley
Downtown streetscapes improvements
Community-wide events such as Dayton Days, Elkton Field Days and seasonal festivities
School educational programs
Herndon (Program Chair: Connie Hutchinson, 703-437-6366)
Completion of a Cultural Arts Center
Commemoration of Commander Herndon on the 150th anniversary of the sinking of the S.S. Central America
Special events tying to the Jamestown 2007 theme months
Hopewell (Program Chair: Robert Smith, 804-458-7254)
Exhibit of local artists
Plays and performances by church, school and other groups
Satellite visitors’ center located near the center of the city
Marketing plan to include City Point, Appomattox Manor and Weston Manor
Isle of Wight County (Program Chair: Diane Woolley Howard, 757-357-5182)
Archaeology at Boykin’s Tavern
Heritage Festival
James City County (Program Chair: Bruce Goodson, 757-826-9325)
Working with the Jamestown 2007 Host Committee to determine the appropriate projects and events for participation in the commemoration
King William County (Program Chair: Katy Lloyd, 804-769-4985)
Coming Home to King William event – heritage celebration
River Festival/Boat Parade on the Mattaponi
Genealogical research workshops
Art Program – history as the theme
African-American history program
Historic photography contest
Historic Court Green improvements
Park improvements
Leesburg (Program Chair: Doug Foard, 540-822-5412)
Downtown sidewalk improvements
New exhibits at the Thomas Balch Library and the Loudoun Museum
Enhanced special events such as the Flower and Garden Show and August Court Days
Lexington / Rockbridge County / Buena Vista (Program Chair: Patricia Gibson, 540-463-2319)
Expansion of Rockbridge Historical Society
Carol Highsmith Photographic Catalog of American Cities
Walking trail following former railroad bed of the C&O Canal
Route 39 Scenic Byway enhancements and markers
Lunenburg County (Program Chair: Anne Hamlett, 434-696-4488)
Restoration of county court house
Publication of a county history
Creation of a railroad park in the town of Victoria
Theatrical production based on the county’s history
Time capsule
Commemoration quilt
Lynchburg (Program Chair: Lisa Meriwether, 434-845-5968)
Riverfront revitalization
Creation of a downtown amphitheater
Renovation of the Lynchburg museum
Restoration of White Rock Cemetery
Anniversary celebrations of Old City Cemetery, Poplar Forest, and the establishment of the James River Ferry
New promotional and tourism materials
Martinsville (Program Chair: Lisa Barker, 276-632-5688)
Courthouse Days Events and Activities.
Working to determine other events and activities
McLean / Great Falls (Program Chairs: Carole Herrick, 703-356-8223, and Karen Washburn, kwashf@aol.com)
Identifying and placing plaques on historic homes in McLean and Great Falls
Developing and sponsoring historic walk programs for McLean and Great Falls
Hosting a fundraiser in August at Claude Moore Colonial Farm
Sponsoring a Dolley Madison mother/daughter tea
Displaying a permanent historic timeline sculpture
Co-sponsoring a Memorial Day Parade with the American Legion
Co-sponsoring local Black History projects
Sponsoring projects within the school system for local history and Jamestown
Nelson County (Program Chair: Maureen Corum, 800-282-8223)
Renovate the historic Blue Ridge Tunnel and create a series of trails around that destination
Celebration of Nelson County’s bicentennial in 2007
Creation of a new festival in 2007 – Apple Blossoms and Antiques; sponsor a "Come Home to Nelson County" program for schools and civic organizations
Newport News (Program Chair: Mary Sherwood Holt; Contact: Denine Miller, Newport News Parks, Recreation & Tourism, 757-926-1400)
Opening of the Monitor Center at the Mariners Museum
"Come Home to Newport News" waterfront festival
Year-long activities based on the Jamestown 2007 theme months
Special displays for the annual Festival of Lights
Occoquan (Program Chair: Leo Smith, 703-491-1918, ext. 12)
The Occoquan 2007 Committee is meeting soon to determine the appropriate projects and events for participation in the commemoration.
Orange County (Program Chair: James "Jay" G. Harrison, III, 540-672-2540)
o Special exhibits at each of the county’s major historic sites/tourist attractions
o Partnerships with annual public events to promote the themes of Virginia’s history
o The engagement of high school students in the collection of oral histories
o Promotion of "Everybody Has A History" project, where students are encouraged to write their own histories and compare/contrast them with children from earlier times
o An "I Remember" project, in which local residents are encouraged to write their special memories of Orange
o A historic image "scavenger hunt"
o Presentation of musicals or plays with an American history theme
o An "Orange County History Night"
Patrick County (Program Chair: Carolyn Beale, 276-694-7181, ext. 23)
o Time Capsule
o Other events and programs TBD
Petersburg (Program Chair: R. Dulaney Ward, Jr., 804-733-2386)
o Reproduction of Appamattuck medallion
o Publish series of Petersburg prints from the holdings of the Petersburg Museums
o New interpretive signage and waysides
o New driving and walking tour brochures and maps
o Revision of Petersburg Web site
o Fort Henry Days and Come Home to Petersburg events
o Fort Henry archeology project
Prince George County (Program Chairs: Gillian Young, 804-541-1678 and Carol Marks Bowman,
804-458-4319)
o County Heritage Museum
o Complete history of Prince George County
o Permanent driving tours and signage
o Historic inventory of the county
o Event commemorating Revolutionary War activity in the county
Prince William County (Program Chair: Lynda Dodd, 703-670-2329)
o Complete renovation of Rippon Lodge, Brentsville Historic Complex and the Old Bennett School
o Celebration of the 275th birthday of the County in March 2006 with multiple events featuring the past, present and future
Pulaski County (Program Chair: Nancy Burchett, 540-980-7705)
o Reproduce replicas of the Jamestown Statutes sent to the 1907 Jamestown Exposition from Pulaski County in 1907
o Reprint the book "The Land That Is Pulaski County" by Conway Smith
o Research and publish the history of famous Pulaski County citizens, famous events, industrial history and elected officials for distribution to students and interested citizens
o Create a new Web site
o Community choir event for Religious Freedom & Heritage Month
o Events to commemorate the 2007 Theme Months, including Agriculture & Industry Month
Pulaski (Town of) (Program Chair: C.W. Stewart, Jr., 540-980-3007)
Heritage/heirloom garden
Public art contest
Museum exhibitions
New wayfaring signs, banners and street furniture
Commemorative tree planting
Pulaski history month
Quantico (Program Chair: Erin Harting, 703-640-7411)
Renovation of the historic train station
Opening of the Marine Corps Heritage Center
Festival in conjunction with the possible visit of the replica ship Godspeed
Greater Richmond, including the Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover & Henrico (Program Chair: Bill Axselle, Jr., 804-783-6548)
Completion of more than $400 million of legacy projects including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts expansion; the proposed Virginia Performing Arts Center; renovation of the state Capitol; opening of the Tredegar National Civil War Center and Kanawha Canal restoration project; and the $25.5 million First Freedom Center.
Roanoke Valley (Program Chairs: Stu Israel, 540-342-2640, and Bill Craft, 540-362-8274)
Time capsule placed on Mill Mountain
Host a Virginia Music Festival
Replace incline on Mill Mountain
Repeat Mill Mountain Theater musical production of Pocahontas
Riverfront activities and projects
Establish a historic town square/city hall
Commissioning of educational mural
Establishment of a Rail Heritage District
Shenandoah (Town of) (Program Chair: Judy Jewell, 540-652-0718)
The First Street Commercial District Revitalization Project
Completion of historic signage and the multi-use trail system in the Big Gem Historical and Recreational Park
Mural depicting the history of the Town of Shenandoah
New festival held along the Shenandoah River
An event featuring a Homecoming to the Town of Shenandoah
Smithfield (Program Chair: Diane Woolley Howard, 757-357-5182)
African-American history museum
Special exhibition at Isle of Wight Museum to commemorate early Court Days
Smithfield Celebration event focusing on agriculture, water commerce, and pork history
Southampton County (Program Chair: Cindy Cave, 757-653-2002)
Annual calendar featuring historic homes, sites, etc.
Programs focusing on 2007 Theme Months, including Religious Heritage (creation of a community choir), African American programming, natural resources (fishing tournament)
Spotsylvania County (Program Chair: Bonnie Smith, 540-891-8687)
Improvements to the Spotsylvania County Museum building, grounds, and exhibits
Stafford County (Program Chair: Megan Orient, 540-658-8681)
Educational initiatives within public school and SOL parameters
Events following each of the 2007 theme months
Surry County (Program Chair: Judy Lyttle, 757-294-5271)
Enhancements at Smith’s Fort
Creation of a Surry Towne Historical Square in the town of Surry
Monument in Claremont recognizing the contributions of Native Americans on the "Surreyside" to Jamestown Settlement
Establishment of an African-American Heritage Trail through Surry County
African-American Homecoming Weekend
Vienna (Town of) (Program Chair: Paul Snodgrass, 703-938-2873)
Creation of trivia game for schools to use in educating students.
Establishing historic markers to be distributed among historic sites
Virginia Beach (Program Chair: C. Mac Rawls, 757-463-2423)
Community roots program
Lynnhaven River Exploration
Educational projects with the city school system
Virginia Beach tomorrow exposition
Events to celebrate the First Landing of the settlers on April 26, 1607 including a reenactment and Arts festival
Williamsburg (Program Chair: Jeanne Zeidler, 757-220-6100)
Working with the Jamestown 2007 Host Committee to determine the appropriate projects and events for participation in the commemoration
York County (Program Chair: Sandra Jones; Contact: Kristi Olsen, 757-890-3525)
Working with the Jamestown 2007 Host Committee to determine the appropriate projects and events for participation in the commemoration
Revitalization of the Yorktown Riverfront
Special events such as visits of tall ships to Yorktown
New Quarter Park heritage trails and Colonial learning garden
Library programs including heritage themes
Programs with the county schools to develop new educational curricula materials and products
