Hampton VA250 Committee

Hampton VA250 Committee March 28, 2024, 4:00 pm at Fort Monroe Community Center Meeting Notes Attended by: Councilman Steve Brown, Martha Tennille, Samantha Snead, Jay Joseph, Vanessa Thaxton Ward, John H Golden, Demetria Sweat, Jennifer Oliver, Patricia Leary, Jeffrey Smith, Stephen Mallon, Ryan Taylor Fontes, Glenn Oder, Amy Jordan Absent: Kathy Dermanis, Asa Jenrette I. Welcome II. Overview of A Common Cause to All held in Williamsburg • Be honest about gap between practice and principle • The importance of historic accuracy and presenting complete historical record • Recognizing differences and bridging those differences • Consider our children – to be a child now • How to teach in a way that inspires from K – 12 • Sparking student curiosity • Deepening understanding • Teachers need help- make the museum virtually accessible; bring history to the classroom through games, visual content, digital documents o Grades K- 5 and 9-12 want classroom resources, lesson plans and activities • All Men are Created Equal - What does it mean to you? • Technology in 2026 and on a sharing of views in 1776; i.e. debate through a letter exchange • Reflective Patriotism – Fierce scrutiny; Was the United States worth the removal of the paragraph in the Declaration of Independence related to slave trade? • What is patriotism today? • Our shared beliefs provide a basis for connection • New stories, history known – evolving and expanding • Digging deeper – archeology • Who are people from the past who represent Hampton revolutionary history? III. Grants - VTC, Humanities, NPS – many grants available for potential funding IV. Definite Happenings a. Battle of Hampton on October 2025 b. SAIL250 c. VA250 Rev War Mobile availability d. History Video Series produced by Hampton History Museum V. Resources a. Hampton VA250 logo and web landing page b. CVB, History Museum, PRLS, Econ. Dev., DEI, Library, et al staff c. Visitor Publications – Hampton Visitor Guide d. Smartphone Tour Series e. VisitHampton.com, Virginia.org VI. Brainstorming charette How do you celebrate July 4? • Salute my Forebearers – remember why we celebrate the way we do; a wonderful country and community • Family and Friends • Fireworks, Grilling, Boating • Fellowship • Spend time on the water or at the beach • Family gathering at beach and cook out • Along the Wythe waterfront with friends – neighborhood parade, Wythe pool, fireworks along the waterfront • Reflecting in some way • Find out who is having a fireworks display, cook out, and watch the televised July 4 at the White House program • Fireworks • Cook out, time off, celebrate with friends • Cook out, sparklers • Food and Fun • Music • With family and friends and talk about family history • Spend time with family, now spend time learning, ie Frederick Douglass’ July 4 speech, and fireworks • Participate in a worship service What does patriotism mean to you? • My positive support of my country and community • Pride and love for one’s country but acknowledgement of its flaws • Being proud of my country • Eyes open, not blind to its flaws, loyalty to country • Should mean Love of each other and embracing our diversity, our uniqueness, what makes a true democracy • Recognize and support the military • Respect for the foundation/founding efforts and events • To be loyal to God, Country and Family; to respect the Constitution and the Rights of others; to respect the flag and the right to vote; to love democracy • Supporting and celebrating our country over self; supporting the military • Should mean Fairness, Equality, less Fear, the flag has taken on a negative connotation • Pride for the sacrifices and contributions of others • Freedom, Supportive, Equal Rights • Love and Respect for all humanity • Civic engagement • Demonstrating loyalty to (and respect of) the U.S. ideals What organizations offer a special skill or partnership opportunity? • Jack & Jill of America • Community Museums • Places of Worship/Churches • Hampton Arts Commission • Hampton Clean City Commission • NAACP • PAA • Tuskegee Airmen • VFW • HUBCU Fraternities and Sororities • Neighborhood Commission • Neighborhood Associations • American Legion • Air Force Association • Association of United States Army • Daughters of American Revolution • Local Historical Societies • Universities/colleges • Genealogy Groups • Local Artists • Art Programs led by Arts organizations • Schools • Hospitals • Salvation Army • Other Healthcare organizations • Retired Educators Association • Retired Military • Parent Teacher Associations • Higher Education Student Clubs and organizations • Garden Club • Hampton Yacht Club • Youth Sailing Virginia • NASA Langley • Business Improvement Districts • Major employers – large corporations • Chamber of Commerce • NN Shipyard • The Mariners’ Museum – Attractions How may we involve youth and students? • Academies of Hampton • Extended Enrichment • Performing Arts • Musicals • Hampton City Schools social media outlets • Essay Contests • Historic Tours that tell the 250 story • Planning volunteer opportunities • Be the voices of what was, what is, and what can be • Identify a project that the youth can build or create; ie a boat or freedom garden • Theatre experiences or reenactments • Amplify their voices, ie emcee events, spoken word • Include them in planning and implementing the events • Include in the curriculum • Internet/word of mouth • Educational books • Contests • Tours/programs • Phoebus Culinary school - recipes from the era • Hands on learning • Art programs – music and performing • Writing and literature • Involve youth as reenactors • On the water – VA Youth Sailing participation • Volunteering projects – outdoor landscape beautification • Special events set up and take down • Parade • STEM • Bands, orchestras, theatre groups • Ask students their opinions; Involve them and have them lead • Public, private and homes schools • A discussion between the voices of the past • Project Based Learning • Podcast Series • Roundtable Group Discussions • Student led tours – Be the voice! How do we make 2026 meaningful and memorable for ALL? • Come up with an activity that the community will remember • Ice cream • Inclusiveness • Must include all ages and all walks of life, race, creed, wealth • Look through the lens of others • Uncover the untold stories • What is it like to be a woman, a person enslaved, a child? • Make all routine activities focus on the 250 theme, so that festivals, exhibits, and other activities are all related • Make sure all people are represented. Being inclusive, and having programs for different age groups. • Engage many generations • Tell the Truth • Make Connections, emotionally and intellectually • Create positive memories • Create a take-away – item of memorabilia • Everyone feels a connection through an experience • Lots of public events • Partnerships with local organizations • Lasting memorials • Inclusion – ask opinions and follow through – • Get community groups to be in charge of an activity • Make it all-inclusive and as accurate and factual as possible. Teel the good, bad and ugly history of the American Revolution. History can not be erased but it must not be repeated. • Through or by creating a meaningful signature experience • Be inclusive, discuss at churches in the African American community • Create a model for telling the truth – Study Circles How to educate citizens (and visitors) about Hampton’s Rev War history and 2026? • Social Media • You Tube series • Genealogy - uncover your past • Create a series of on-site lectures • Reenactors • QR Codes • Include as many people of Hampton heritage to tell and be involved in the story of Hampton • Creation of lasting education markers/signage • Brochures, etc – not a lot on the American Revolution • Meaningful public displays/works of art • Learn/understand what happened in Hampton during the Revolutionary War • Public Art • Social Media • Interactive Exhibits • Mobile/travelling exhibits • Waterfront history tours/bike tours • Use social media to tell the stories • Fliers and brochures for hotels and rest stops • Coordinate themes at all permanent organizations • Swag/promotional items • Amplify – make intentional connections with current HCS curriculum • Intentional Connections with HCS social studies department GREAT IDEAS FOR HAMPTON VA250 COMMEMORATIONS • Hold a parade down Mercury Boulevard • Free musical events for families, citizens and the community • Theatre performance highlighting historical event • Have our own group form “groups” to design or bring together (commemorations of) important events in Hampton History • Blacks in War – Program with young people to do a living wax museum. This was done with Jack & Jill at Hampton History Museum • Fireworks • Worship Service • Student Performance • Concert • “Uncover Your Past” – a genealogy docuseries that shares local residents or celebrity ties to Hampton’s history. Each segment will include information about Hampton 250 • Festival/celebration with parade dedication ceremonies and additional reenactments • Neighborhood 250 cookouts • Essay contents with prizes • Debate team competition • Create a play of a town hall event in Hampton in 1775 • 250-themed art show at Charles Taylor Art Center • 250-themed plays/performers at The American Theatre • 250-themed “VA Navy” Racing Regatta – either small boat (Mill Creek) or Big Boat (Hampton Roads) • 250-themed encampment with reenactors at Fort Monroe • Genealogy Project – Where was your family in 1776? • Sail250 Virginia – Include Hampton University Sailing team in some way. Dock a small character vessel near the campus • Check HU Archives for any info that may directly relate