INSIDE JYF FALL 2024

INSIDE JYF

from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

As a new season and new year approaches, I am grateful for the many accomplishments that we’ve achieved together at JYF Museums.

We have showcased the creative talents of acclaimed costume designer Ruth E. Carter and our historical tailors that bring characters from the past and the future to life. We made strides in the preservation of the Susan Constant for future generations. We marked historic milestones leading to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. All of these moments we have attained together with many more opportunities on the horizon in 2025.

As the curtains close on an unforgettable year, our special double issue of INSIDE JYF recognizes the generous support of donors and the dedicated leadership of board members in the Annual Report. We reflect on the donor-supported initiatives to reach diverse audiences to share little-known stories of early America and their relevance today.

Inside, join us in celebrating the lasting contributions of the late Nick and Mary Mathews to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. Read about the upcoming “Patrons & Patriots” exhibition and an extraordinary event that paid tribute to the couple and raised funds to honor their legacy.

Explore new programs to teach civic responsibility to students and methods for educators to keep American history alive in the classroom. Celebrate the five-day journey of our ships’ crew to transport the Susan Constant to Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard for restoration, and discover ways visitors can still explore the ship in a virtual tour.

We remain grateful for the dedication of countless people — behind the scenes and on the frontlines, donors, and volunteers — to strengthen and nurture our world-class museums. We invite you to join the many others who support our mission by giving to the Annual Fund that sustains our museums, year after year.

With gratitude,

Christy S. Coleman Executive Director

INSIDE JYF

EDITORS

Mark Mulligan Tracy Perkins

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT

Joan Heikens Janet Kane

DESIGNER

Holland Winslow

STAFF CONTRIBUTORS

Cindy Daniel

Brian Forrester

Constance Graham

Dale Hall

Heather Hower

Erin Koch

Lianne Koch

Mariruth Leftwich

Lisa Lucas

Margaret Meyers

Cora Perkins

Deana Ricks

Melissa Gill Thompson

Glenda Turner

Meghan van Joosten

WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS

Felicia Abrams, Anne Marie Baker, Morgan Culbertson, Olivia Glum, Jane Hohensee, Heather Hower, Eve Hutcherson, Dexter Johnson, Janet Kane, Homer Lanier, Lisa Lucas, Sarah Bevan Meschutt, Sally Meyer, Heather Minty, Konstantin Rega, Savannah Sandlin, Lee Ann Shelhorse, Eric Speth, Bly Straube, Melissa Gill Thompson, Leon Vaughan

Enjoy INSIDE JYF? Support the museums by donating to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. If you no longer wish to receive INSIDE JYF in print or would like to convert to digital, email insidejyf@jyf.virginia.gov or call (757) 253-4139.

INSIDE JYF

Volume 4, No. 3 – printed October 2024

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, fosters through its museums—Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown—an awareness and understanding of the early history, settlement, and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation.

JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION

P.O. Box 1607, Williamsburg, VA 23187 (757) 253-4838

jyfmuseums.org

About the Cover

A view of Winged Victory of Samothrace, photographed by Digital Media Services Intern Eve Hutcherson, welcomes visitors to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The 20th-century reproduction, gifted to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation by the late Nick and Mary Mathews, serves as a symbolic expression of the momentous American Revolution victory in Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. Read about the statue and an upcoming special exhibition honoring the couple’s lasting legacy.

FY24 Annual Report

The generous contributions of Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation donors provide pivotal support to our museums with galleries and living history, seasonal celebrations, special programs and exhibitions, lively discussions with experts, professional development for teachers, and educational programming for students. Read about the inspiring, cutting-edge projects of FY24 made possible by our supporters.

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Staff Spotlight Father-daughter interpreters share a legacy of history education.

In Pursuit of the American Dream Newly minted Americans celebrate citizenship where independence was won.

Vote for a Jamestown Legacy

New museum exhibit space welcomes a legacy of community service. 22

NICK AND MARY MATHEWS OF YORKTOWN A Legacy of ‘Patrons & Patriots’

Nick and Mary Mathews were married in July 1942, later moving to Yorktown, where they opened a lunch counter in 1944 that became Nick's Seafood Pavilion. Honoring their legacy, a new exhibition, “Patrons & Patriots: The Legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews,” will open March 8, 2025, at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Images from the JamestownYorktown Foundation.

In March 2025, a special exhibition at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown will honor Nick and Mary Mathews’s lifetime of philanthropy and civic duty, a manifestation of their American patriotism. Both Nick and Mary were immigrants from Greece who met in New York City and married in July 1942. After moving to Yorktown, they opened a lunch counter in 1944, borrowing the money to finance the enterprise that grew into a favorite destination for locals and tourists visiting the Yorktown Battlefield. Over time, the eatery expanded to a 450-seat restaurant, Nick’s Seafood Pavilion, which gained a national and international reputation, attracting celebrities, military, dignitaries, and heads of state. As the restaurant prospered, the couple became generous philanthropists, giving back to the community and nation they had adopted as their own.

Yorktown Victory Center, one of three bicentennial centers in Virginia that opened to the public in 1976. For over 50 years, millions of visitors have benefited from the legacy of the generous gift, first at the Yorktown Victory Center and then at the new and expanded American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, which offers the opportunity to learn about the ideals and freedoms of the American Revolution as well as the significance of the Siege of Yorktown to secure American independence.

It is one of many examples of the couple’s generous philanthropy with local, national, and international impact. They were passionate about the ideals underscoring American democracy and the freedom won at Yorktown. Nick became an American citizen and, when speaking of

his adopted hometown, remarked, “I want to be an American, so what better place to live than where independence was won!”

The restaurant was known for its ambience, opulent décor and Nick’s signature dish — Lobster Dien Bien — but, above all, for the hospitality of its owners. Given its proximity to the U.S. Naval Weapons and Coast Guard stations, Nick’s Seafood Pavilion was a popular destination for the military. Military personnel dining at the restaurant in uniform often received a meal on the house.

In recognition of her patriotism, Mary Mathews was selected by the American government to sponsor a U.S. warship, the U.S.S. Yorktown, CG-48. A Ticonderoga-class missile cruiser, Mary Mathews christened the warship on April 16, 1983, at Pascagoula, Mississippi, soon after Nick’s death. She was the first Greek American to do so. They were loyal benefactors to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, making many contributions over the years for exhibitions and programs. Among many others who

benefited from their generosity were hospitals, civic organizations, churches, and even the Statue of Liberty restoration project in the 1980s.

Today, the Mathews’s legacy endures through the educational programming delivered at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, supported in part through the endowment of their personal estate to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Educational Trust. Inspired by their benevolence, JYF created the Mathews Legacy Society to honor this tradition of planned giving.

The motivation behind Nick and Mary Mathews’s philanthropy was expressed by Mary in her will:

“Whatever we earned in our lifetime, we return it gladly to the people who made it possible for us to succeed in addition to our hard and honest work. May God bless you all.”

—

Sarah Bevan Meschutt, Ph.D., Senior Curator — Jane Hohensee, Senior Registrar

Nick’s Seafood Pavilion was a renowned 450-seat restaurant. As the restaurant prospered, Nick and Mary Mathews gave back to their community and the nation. They donated the land for what became the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Mary was the chosen sponsor for U.S.S. Yorktown, christened in 1983.

HISTORY MAKERS DINNER

Nostalgic Dinner for Nick’s Seafood Pavilion Boosts New Exhibition Honoring Nick

& Mary Mathews

The inaugural History Makers Dinner was held on the evening of September 7 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, where 200 people came together to support the JamestownYorktown Foundation museums and connect with the legacy of beloved restauranteurs and philanthropists Nick and Mary Mathews.

Nick and Mary’s generosity to the whole community was legendary and culminated in their donation of the land on which the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown now stands.

The museum and the Mathews Legacy Society, a planned giving society, are dedicated in their honor. The couple even designated their final resting place at the museum.

In March 2025, a special exhibition will debut — “Patrons & Patriots: The Legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews.” This special exhibition will explore their personal journeys, the Yorktown business they established and nurtured for decades, the ideals that inspired their philanthropy, and the lasting impact that their generosity had on the community and the foundation.

The couple’s wedding gown and tuxedo will grace the upcoming special exhibition, as well as other items from the couple’s estate and personal collection — decorative pieces from their home, cherished scrapbooks and photographs, artifacts from Nick’s Seafood Pavilion, and numerous awards and honors that commemorate their civic philanthropy. The exhibition also will feature a re-creation of a portion of the Pavilion dining room to immerse visitors in the storied past of a beloved landmark restaurant and an intimate setting to share memories and be inspired by their legacy of giving.

The History Makers Dinner paid tribute to Nick’s Seafood Pavilion by re-creating a Nick’s menu with legendary dishes, including the iconic salad, seafood kabobs and Lobster Dien Bien, and reflected the restaurant’s signature ambiance with fountains, greenery, and statuary.

The evening featured a preview of the exhibition and offered patrons the opportunity to share their memories of the couple and the restaurant, some of which will be incorporated in the final exhibition.

A dinner guest participates in the paddle raise to support the upcoming exhibition.

“Given the compelling and inspiring legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews, we’re excited to support this night of reflection, remembrance and renewal of America’s spirit.”

Chrys Kefalas, Association of American Manufacturers

“A Tribute to Nick’s Seafood Pavilion” Presenting Sponsor

The evening culminated in a spirited paddle-raise event, in which attendees gave generously to support the cost of the upcoming exhibition.

“They gave so much to the community — to servicemen in the area, to individual residents, to the town itself, and they were always modest and self-effacing,” said JYF Trustee Suzanne Flippo, a long-time friend of the couple, reflecting on the event. “This evening has been a wonderful way to bring people together to honor their memory by giving back as they did — and I can’t wait to see the exhibit.”

— Melissa Gill Thompson, Chief Development Officer

"Patrons & Patriots: The Legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews," a special exhibition at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, on display March 8 to July 27, 2025, will feature personal artifacts from their life and Nick's Seafood Pavilion. Among the items in the exhibition (shown at left and above) will be china dinnerware and menus, the couple’s wedding headdresses, Nick’s honorary doctoral hood from Christopher Newport University, and a plaque from The Nobles at Khedive Temple. Artifacts from the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Bequest of Mary Mathews.

Learn about the exhibition and view tributes at jyfmuseums.org/patrons-and-patriots.

Winged Victory

Not far from where the victory for American independence was won at the Siege of Yorktown, a white marble statue, Winged Victory, is held aloft on a pedestal under the soaring ceiling of the Zadarlik-Sogoloff Victory Hall at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. It welcomes visitors eager to engage with the history of the American Revolution through exhibits in the museum’s galleries and outdoor living-history experiences.

A Mathews Legacy

As visitors see Winged Victory, they may admire how majestic she appears, with feathered wings outstretched behind her and her torso poised forward as if she had just alighted. What they may not know is the story of how she landed there.

The statue represents Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. It is a 20th-century sculptor’s interpretation of the famous Nike of Samothrace, the Greek sculpture dating from about 200 B.C.E. Discovered in 1862 on the island of Samothrace and now displayed at the Louvre in Paris, that statue depicts the goddess alighting on a ship’s prow and was probably commissioned to commemorate the victory of a naval battle. The image of Nike as a symbol of victory has appeared throughout history and is commonly known as “Winged Victory.”

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s Winged Victory statue has connections to American patriotism and philanthropy through the donors of the statue, Greek immigrants Nick and Mary Mathews.

After moving to Yorktown in the 1940s, the couple established a lunch counter that evolved into Nick’s Seafood Pavilion, a

450-seat restaurant. Over time it earned an international reputation not only for its food but also for the American patriotism and the lifetime philanthropy of its owners.

In 1972, they donated a 22-acre parcel of land for the Yorktown Victory Center, one of three centers in Virginia that opened in 1976 to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. This was one of their many acts of patriotism and philanthropy that later was recognized by legislative resolutions in the Virginia General Assembly.

In the 1980s, the Winged Victory statue was part of the interior ambiance of Nick’s Seafood

Nike of Samothrace at the Louvre.

In 2014, the Winged Victory statue at the former Yorktown Victory Center is crated for transit, later to be reinstalled at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation photo.

Pavilion enjoyed by restaurant guests during the bicentennial of the Siege of Yorktown. As part of the events, President Ronald Reagan and Mary Mathews initialed a plaque authenticating the keel laying of the U.S.S. Yorktown, for which Mary Mathews was the sponsor. She christened the ship on April 16, 1983, at Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, Mississippi. The ship’s motto is: “Victory is Our Tradition.”

By 1996, the Winged Victory statue that had belonged to Nick and Mary Mathews was installed under a custom-built steel and glass exhibit pavilion at the Yorktown Victory Center on the museum’s “Road to Revolution” walkway.

Exhibited with a graphic of a 1785 engraving showing Victory

holding a palm branch and stepping on Britannia’s shield and spear, it spoke to the influence of classic Greek culture and the use of Nike as a symbol of victory.

Eighteen years later, Winged Victory was removed to prepare it for installation in the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown that was under construction on the same site previously donated by Nick and Mary Mathews. Over two years, working collaboratively with several JYF departments and multiple vendors, the foundation’s registrar coordinated the deinstallation, transit, conservation, and reinstallation of the statue.

In 2016, Winged Victory was ready to land at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and a team of foundation staff, fine art riggers, masons, and conservators

were assembled to install it. After delivery to the museum, the statue was uncrated, rigged, and carefully hoisted aloft with a gantry and fixed in place on its custom pedestal in the ZadarlikSogoloff Victory Hall.

From atop her pedestal, Winged Victory continues to evoke reflections on victory, American independence and the generous contributions made to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the nation by the patrons and patriots, Nick and Mary Mathews.

— Jane Hohensee, Senior Registrar

American Revolution 250 Comes Rolling In

Emerging events leading to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and other anniversaries of the American Revolution are rolling in, with many more on the horizon. From fireworks to flyovers, the annual Yorktown Day and Yorktown Victory Celebration on October 18 and 19 saluted the French alliance and the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s Grand Tour of America, retracing the French hero’s return visit in 1824, with a notable stop in Yorktown. In partnership with The American Friends of Lafayette, the Yorktown Day Association, the Yorktown 250th Commemoration Committee, and Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown welcomed dignitaries and patriotic organizations to celebrate the occasion.

A Colonial Tea Ball on November 8 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown was among the events during the Yorktown Tea Festival, November 4-10, that paid tribute to Yorktown’s very own Tea Party in 1774. Dance Master John Millar led guests in more than a dozen dances

from “Draper’s Garden” to “The Queen’s Jig,” accompanied by the Itinerant Band.

Across Virginia this fall, VA250 will roll out a hands-on, interactive, and immersive “museum on wheels” through a Mobile Museum Experience, “Out of Many, One.” The mobile exhibit, housed in a quad-expandable tractor trailer, will bring key stories of Virginia’s rich history to schools, museums, local events, fairs, and more, highlighting every region of the state, and will feature interactives and films from the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

On March 22, 2025, the VA250 signature exhibition, “Give Me Liberty,” will debut at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, followed by the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on July 1, 2026. Curated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the exhibition will showcase the unique and essential role that Virginia played in the American Revolution and encourage visitors to make their own connections between the American Revolution and what it means today. Learn more at VA250.org.

Images, shown clockwise from left: The Lafayette 200 Bicentennial featured Mark Schneider portraying Colonial Williamsburg Nation Builder Marquis de Lafayette; photo by Barbara T. Lombardi, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. The Colonial Tea Ball on November 8 comprised of tea exhibits and 18th-century dances. “Give Me Liberty” signature exhibition will feature a Declaration of Independence engraving printed for Peter Force’s American Archives, Series V, Vol I, 1833, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

plank by plankplank, by plank,

SUSAN CONSTANT RESTORATION UNDERWAY

The multiyear restoration of Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant is underway at the Mystic Seaport Museum’s Henry B. du Pont Preservation Shipyard, where the 33-year-old flagship arrived in late June.

Under the helm of Captain Eric Speth, longtime director of Maritime Operations for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the 120-ton cargo vessel is a re-creation of the largest of the three ships that carried settlers from England to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.

The 515-Mile Journey to Mystic

Over a period of five days in June, a sailing crew of 15 took the ship on a journey of an estimated 515 miles down the James River, up the Chesapeake Bay through the C&D Canal past the Delaware Capes to the Atlantic Ocean, where it traveled up the East Coast to reach Mystic, Conn. Instead of sails, they traveled using diesel engines and the skills of 17th-century mariners to reach their destination.

Armed with guidance from the National Weather Service and a satellite phone, Speth and crew navigated rough waters in the Chesapeake Bay, with the helmsman steering the ship with the whipstaff.

The crew worked in four-hour shifts throughout the journey, stopping once at Schaefer’s Marina in Maryland to refuel and dock overnight.

Once in the Atlantic, the crew set a staysail to provide some additional drive and to help steady the ship from rolling in the ocean swells. The ship’s course was parallel to the New Jersey shore and South Shore of Long Island. The Susan Constant rounded Montauk Point with the sun setting and the full moon rising in the east. The ship passed through The Race, entering Long Island Sound that night. On Friday morning, Susan  Constant entered the mouth of the Mystic River. After passing through two opening bridges, Susan Constant  and crew arrived safely and on schedule to a fanfare welcome at Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard.

“The ship performed well and the crew rose to every challenge!” Speth remarked upon arrival, referencing the extraordinary effort of the 15-member crew — Todd Egnor, Dan Uptmor, Whit Perry, Max Becker, Joran Gendell, Toby Kinnett, Jeanne Kinnett, Homer Lanier, Owen Lanier, Kelly McQuitty, Bill Napolitano, Ken Robinson, Jared Sapp, and Richard Schauffler.

On June 18, the Susan Constant crew witnesses a Chesapeake Bay sunrise near Annapolis with Chesapeake Bay Bridge in the background.

The Susan Constant passes under the Chesapeake Bay Bridge on June 18.

The Susan Constant arrives at Mystic Seaport Museum on June 21, after a five-day journey from Jamestown Settlement in Virginia.

Ship’s Deconstruction Begins

After the ship’s three masts and bowsprit were removed in early July, it was lifted out of the water onto a specially made cradle for dry dock. Once on dry land, shipwrights first deconstructed  exterior structures like the beak head, gallery, channels, gunport lids, rigging elements, and caprails to retain the parts as patterns for new pieces.

By August 1, roughly 95

August 14, a

With the external structures  removed, work over the summer entailed demolition of the hull  planking and wales above the water line, while Cypress logs from Georgia were milled and stored for future use in the ship’s two-year restoration.

Recount the journey this summer and follow updates on the ship’s restoration at jyfmuseums.org/ susan-constant-restoration.

percent of the planking on Susan Constant’s port side was removed.

On

shipwright removes the last section of the Susan Constant hull planking.

MYSTIC SEAPORT MUSEUM PHOTO

Eric Speth captured this

Susan

Constant 360°

Virtual Tour

A new virtual tour of the Susan Constant allows history lovers of all ages to explore 360-degree views of the ship, from bow to stern.

Through a Matterport 3D platform, viewers can tour the ship’s main deck to discover quarters for the captain, sailors and cook, to the ’tween deck and down to the hold, revealing a modern-day engine room.

Interpreters and sailors are dressed as 17th-century mariners, steering with a whipstaff and working a traverse board, among other shipboard activities.

While the ship is away for restoration, educators are using the virtual tour to supplement lessons on the 1607 voyage to Jamestown.

The virtual tour was created in April in partnership with Liz Moore & Associates and Erin Hughes of Capture Three Sixty.

Master Shipbuilder Reunites with Susan Constant and Kalmar Nyckel

Allen Rawl, master shipbuilder of the 17th-century re-creations of the Susan Constant in 1990 and the Kalmar Nyckel in 1998, traveled from Maryland to visit the ships in September when the two vessels happened to be dry-docked near one another at the Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard.

Rawl reflected on the encounter. “Thirty-three and twenty-six years later, respectively, observing these ‘half-sisters’ hauled-out, side by side, elegantly revealing their Rubenesque figure, makes a builder’s heart swell with pride,” he shared. “The experience of commissioning a ship is a very special event for the shipbuilders. It is the time we realize our work is finished, and the ship is officially turned over to the owners.

“As I recall the glorious commissioning of both these ships, I likened it to the marriage of a daughter, …with the hope that she will be loved, and well cared for. We’ve followed the separate courses [that the] Susan and Nyckel have taken, and I can truly say they have been and, I have all confidence, they will continue to be, well cared for and loved. My deepest respect for Eric Speth and Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and to all at The Kalmar Nyckel Foundation for taking such good care of our ‘girls’.”

Liz

TAKE THE TOUR

Captain

photo of Allen and

Rawl, builders of the Susan Constant and Kalmar Nyckel, with Scott Gifford, project manager for maintenance and repair of both 17th-century ships at Mystic Seaport Museum shipyard.

VOLUNTEER TRIBUTE

A TRIBUTE TO A DEVOTED SAILING CREW MEMBER

When reflecting on the sailing crew at Jamestown Settlement, names and faces instantly come to mind that connect the people and the work of the maritime program. Jake Kirchner is one of them.

Robert Edmond Kirchner, best known as Jake, passed away on June 6, 2024, after a battle with cancer. He was 72.

He retired to Williamsburg with his wife, Diane, after a prominent career in journalism, working in roles including as a Capitol Hill correspondent and an editor of technology and industry publications, including PC Magazine. He reported from Washington, D.C. landmarks and around the world, with on-camera appearances on national broadcast networks. He then turned his interest to a love of history. Early on, Jake discovered his passion for sailing, and in 2006, joined the volunteer sailing crew, joining every sail possible. He rose to the trusted position of mast captain, overseeing and mentoring staff and crew members in the skills and techniques of sailing 17th-century ships.

Seamlessly blending the heavy responsibilities of a mariner with being a compassionate leader and friend, Jake earned the trust and respect of all who sailed with him. He had a way of instilling his passion and work ethic in others.

“Jake led by example; he didn’t just tell you, he showed you,” shared longtime crewmate Rich Watkins. “One of our favorite things to do was to climb up to the round top where we could get to the uppre sail, which is a skilled

job, and get the work done right and quickly so that we could enjoy the view. There is something about being above the fray, looking down at the water and deck below, and feeling the wind. Sometimes they would have to call us down. I still miss him...what a shipmate.”

Jake’s steadfast and faithful demeanor still resonates with Rich and many other crew, including Jamestown Settlement Living History Manager Kaia Mosely. “Jake was humble, an excellent shipmate, and I would have sailed anywhere with him,” she said.

When not manning the sails, he put in long hours to help with the ships’ upkeep and other tasks of a crew member. Fond of meal planning for ship voyages, he often accompanied Director of Maritime Operations Eric Speth to ensure they had all the supplies to feed the crew, including his homemade pesto sauce that was beloved by the crew.

“We’d split up a ten or twelve-page shopping list, divide up different sections of the store, fill up two or three overflowing carts each, and meet at the checkout line,” Speth recalled. “We’d shop like this a couple of days in a row. Jake shared his pesto recipe with many of us, and I’ll treasure this recipe and my memories of him every time I make Jake’s pesto.”

A memorial service with remarks from family and friends was held on June 15. Donations in his name can be made to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation at jyfmuseums.org/donate.

Photos courtesy of Rich Watkins and Eric Speth.

THE LEGACY OF CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Engaging Younger Generations Through Museum Programming

Made By Us, a national organization aimed at engaging 18-30 year-olds in civic activity and designing programs for Civic Season, observed during the period between Juneteenth and July 4.

NEW WAYS TO INTRODUCE CIVICS

Cultural institutions are civic institutions.

“They provide opportunities to understand and debate our civic environment, to observe people engaged in civic activity past and present, and to examine the connections between civic choices and consequences,” according to Educating for American Democracy, an initiative of the National Endowment for the Humanities supported by the U.S. Department of Education.

Engaging in civic education allows the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation to bridge the gap between cultural knowledge and active participation in the democratic process.

Over the past three years, the JYF education team has been working with

This past season, JYF art programs explored identity and community, examined how different eras impact the questions asked of history, and dove into the complexities of the U.S. Constitution. Participants were asked to think about these topics through the lens of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Caroline Klibanoff, Made By Us executive director, noted that “as we approach the U.S. 250th anniversary, America’s largest youth generation yet is seeking ways to understand the context for this moment and make their voices heard.”

To support the younger generation’s goals and expand museum audiences, JYF is launching a Student Advisory Committee this year made up of high school and college students. These students, who were recruited and will earn a stipend, will gain real world experience and have authority over the design and development of the 2025 slate of Civic Season programs.

— Felicia Abrams, Schools Program Manager

JYF educators continue to grow opportunities that foster civic education, including a new initiative with Hampton Public Schools’ Social Studies elementary specialist to deepen student civic engagement. Fourth-grade students will work with community partners to complete a civics project. JYF will provide programming to assist students in grounding that work in history, allowing students to become informed while devising their projects.

Cultural institutions are not just repositories of knowledge, but active participants in shaping the civic landscape. By integrating civic education into the implementation of JYF’s mission, the museums can help cultivate informed, engaged citizens to contribute to a vibrant democracy and foster historical understanding, proving educational resources and promoting dialogue are indispensable in nurturing a society where individuals are both aware of their history and committed to their civic duties.

Education Specialist Stephen Phillips and Museum Educator Keith Delgado-Cruz decode a cipher as part of Constitution Week activities in September.

In Their Genes: A Legacy of History & Education

Legacy evokes traits that are passed on or left behind. For living-history interpreter

Don Waldmiller, passing on an enduring appreciation for history to his family and the public is an important part of his legacy.

Don always had a passion for history. Family vacations often involved visiting historic sites, battlefields, and museums.

Nearly 25 years ago, he stepped into the space of living history as a Civil War re-enactor, portraying a federal unit from his native New York, the 79th NY, Cameron Highlanders. His daughter, Alicia Klimenko, then 8 years old, soon joined him in historic clothing and decades of teaching history side by side began. Their largest re-enactment was in 1997 at the 135th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg, where 30,000 participants re-created Pickett’s Charge.

An equally memorable event was a weekend at Sailors Creek Battlefield, in which Don described the weather conditions as being “both summer and winter in the same day.” The retelling of a story about a tent collapsing on Alicia sent them both into a fit of laughter.

What began as a recreational way to bond and share history, eventually led to careers for both Don and Alicia at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. After decades working as a field service tech, early retirement came for Don, opening the door for new opportunities. He decided to pursue his passion for history and began interning as a gunsmith at Colonial Williamsburg. A year later in 2010, he joined JYF, first as a volunteer and then as a part-time employee.

He started in Jamestown Settlement’s re-created fort and eventually landed permanently in the Continental Army encampment at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, where he honorably holds a reputation for knowing obscure Revolutionary War facts.

In 2012, Alicia joined JYF as a museum educator. It was not long before she found her way into living history as well, first working on the Jamestown Settlement ships, later in Paspahegh Town and at the Yorktown encampment with her father. “It is fun, but not everyone could do it,” Alicia said when asked what it is like working alongside her dad. “We keep it professional on site, and some people still don’t know we are father and daughter.”

On any given day, you might find them serving together on an artillery crew or relieving one another from a rotation in a hot camp kitchen. The long-practiced routine is second nature to them. Even when discussing their careers, their conversations flow as if they were derived from the same source. This arrangement works for them, which Alicia credits to the great relationship she has with both of her parents.

Don’s youngest daughter, Rachael, also has picked up a love of history. While her approach is different, there is no doubt where it came from. Not long after volunteering with the JYF curatorial team, she is now working at James Monroe’s Ashlawn-Highland in Charlottesville. Don is well on his way to creating a family legacy in service to history and education.

— Lee Ann Shelhorse, Talent & Acquisition Manager

Father-daughter interpreters Don Waldmiller and Alicia Klimenko.

Two Signature Plaids Officially Recorded in The Scottish Register of Tartans

Just in time for chilly weather and holiday gifting, two tartan-plaid lambswool scarves have arrived in the museum shops, and each has a story to tell.

Working closely with Toronto-based woolen manufacturer, Patrick King Woollen Company, the merchandising team developed custom plaid designs for each museum, taking inspiration from historical references as well as the modern museum experience.

These signature tartans have been officially recorded in The Scottish Register of Tartans, the registering authority established by the Scottish Parliament, which promotes and preserves information about historic and contemporary tartans from Scotland and throughout the world.

The ‘Susan Constant’ Tartan of

Jamestown Settlement

This impressive tartan was inspired by the colorful detailing on the hull of the Susan Constant , the largest of the three re-created ships at Jamestown Settlement. Deep brick red, teal and sky blue, and golden sunshine are interwoven as a classic tartan.

The ‘Victory’ Tartan of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown

Designed for the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, this “Victory” tartan was inspired by the uniforms of the Continental Army and the Trumbull flag as depicted in the painting “Surrender at Yorktown” by American artist and one-time Washington aide-de-camp, John Trumbull. Deep navy, rich red, and cloud white are woven into a traditional tartan.

The Scottish Register of Tartans

The Scottish Register of Tartans was established by an act of the Scottish Parliament in November 2008, following a member’s bill submitted by Jamie McGrigor MSP in February 2007. The full text of the Scottish Register of Tartans Act 2008 is available to read online.

Members of the Scottish Parliament voted to establish an independent Scottish register of tartans to promote and preserve information about historic and contemporary tartans from Scotland and throughout the world.

The Register was launched on February 5, 2009. The first tartan to be registered was the Scottish Register of Tartans’ Tartan (STR #10000).

The register is administered by the National Records of Scotland (NRS) with advice from the Court of the Lord Lyon and representatives of the Scottish tartan industry. The Keeper of the Records of Scotland and Registrar General for Scotland also is the Keeper of the Scottish Register of Tartans.

Prior to the establishment of the Register, tartans were recorded by the Scottish Tartans Society, the Scottish Tartans World Register and the Scottish Tartans Authority. Learn more at tartanregister.gov.uk.

IN PURSUIT OF THE American Dream

Believing in the importance and impact of citizenship is an essential legacy of the individuals and events represented at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Every day, students and learners of all ages are asked to consider how individual choices and circumstances influenced the American Revolution and the formation of the United States government. Visitors are prompted to consider, “what does liberty mean to you?” and acknowledge the importance of different perspectives when understanding history.

Beginning this fall, a new group of learners is visiting the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown as they dig into the requirements and knowledge needed to achieve United States citizenship.

On May 9, 2024, 65 new American citizens took an Oath to Allegiance at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. New citizenship classes are being offered in a partnership with Literacy for Life.

Instructors from Literacy for Life, a Williamsburg and Peninsula-based organization with robust adult education programs, help participants understand and answer the questions on the citizenship test, a three-part exam encompassing topics on history, civics, and geography. This partnership is an exciting opportunity not only to host potential new citizens, but to share the museum’s collections and educational resources as candidates study and prepare for the test.

The process of naturalized citizenship culminates in a ceremony in which new citizens take the Oath of Allegiance and receive official certificates to become U.S. citizens.

Since August 2018, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has partnered with the Yorktown Comte de Grasse Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution and the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security to welcome and swear in new citizens at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

After completing the final step to citizenship, new citizens are escorted by the museum’s Continental Army Honor Guard to the artillery amphitheater for a cannon salute heralding this milestone.

Now an annual spring occurrence at the museum, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s naturalization ceremony was originally inspired by the story of founding museum patrons Nick and Mary Mathews, naturalized U.S. citizens originally from Greece. Mary Mathews, affectionately known as “Miss Mary,” helped coordinate naturalization ceremonies outdoors in the shadow of the Yorktown Victory Monument

near the Yorktown Battlefield. The lack of an indoor, inclement-weather option saw the end of naturalization ceremonies in Yorktown for many decades, until the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown opened in March 2017. Together with local and federal partners, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown routinely welcomes approximately 60 to 100 new citizens

each May who have chosen to take that final step to citizenship in the place where the nation’s independence was secured in 1781.

— Homer Lanier, Director of Visitor Experience — Sally Meyer, Director of Learning & Community Engagement

Naturalization Ceremony in May

A naturalization ceremony for candidates receiving American citizenship is planned every year in early May at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The event is hosted by the Yorktown Comte de Grasse Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation in partnership with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security.

Among those receiving a Certificate of Citizenship at this year’s ceremony on May 9 was Leon Vaughan, a Jamestown Settlement historical interpreter who emigrated from Ireland. During the packed assembly in the Zadarlik-Sogoloff Victory Hall, Vaughan shared remarks and recited excerpts from a poem by Amanda Gorman to inspire and welcome the 65 new American citizens. Vaughan will serve as the keynote speaker during the May 2025 ceremony.

When day comes we step out of the shade, aflame and unafraid

The new dawn blooms as we free it For there is always light, if only we’re brave enough to see it If only we’re brave enough to be it

— Amanda Gorman

Leon Vaughan

ACTIONING JAMESTOWN’S LEGACIES

Legacy (‘leg• •si) e

Something that is part of your history or that remains from an earlier time

Americans share many legacies from the 17th-century convergence in Virginia of peoples from three vibrant, complex cultures—the Powhatan, the English, and the West Central African. These legacies can be identified in many social, political, economic and cultural areas from the foods eaten to visual and performing arts, from place names to a democratic form of government. Some legacies have difficult histories with recurring issues still being addressed as a nation. Others have contributed to a culturally diverse land of opportunities and experiences to be celebrated and enjoyed.

Each generation provides fresh perspectives on what has been bequeathed to them and how to move forward as a nation. This is especially true as formerly marginalized communities that struggled for acceptance and equal opportunities in the past now have a voice. Newly minted Americans from all corners of the globe also are contributing their viewpoints, enriching the cultural mix.

In light of this reality, the Legacy area at the end of the Jamestown Settlement permanent galleries is being refreshed to allow visitors to reflect on what the nation’s

history means to them and what can be done to advance initiatives they feel are important.

The new exhibit will focus on three broad legacy topics: Civic Responsibility, Cultural Diversity, and Environmental Impacts.

In Spring 2025, visitors to the new Legacy area will be able to explore these Jamestown legacies on a series of lighted panels as they leave the main galleries. Equipped with this information, they will be invited to act.

CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY

Over six hot July days in 1619, 27 English men met at Jamestown in a representative governing body that is a cornerstone of democracy today. The government was far from perfect in that it did not represent everyone living in Virginia. Yet from that early exclusive focus, American democracy has flourished over the centuries through the energies and differing perspectives of a more inclusive citizenry. Continued success of America’s democratic form of government is dependent upon the people’s civic responsibility to be informed and responsive to both national issues and local needs.

“Climate change is a huge challenge, but it can be brought in line if governments, businesses and individuals work together.”

— Sir Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Unite, unite.virgin.com

CULTURAL DIVERSITY

The cultural mix of beliefs, cuisines, languages, ethnicities, and customs that characterizes America today took root in 17th-century Virginia with the meeting of people from Indigenous nations, African kingdoms, and European countries. Legacies of the early struggles for acceptance and equal opportunities remain, but embracing people’s differences with respect and curiosity contributes to a stronger and richer nation in which innovation and creativity thrive.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS

The people of early Jamestown faced extreme climate conditions, including the worst drought in almost a millennium. These natural forces and differing cultural ideas about land use and ownership influenced early lifeways and impacted cultural relationships, with consequences that are visible in today’s America. Our ever-increasing knowledge about the physical and socioeconomic impacts of human interaction with the environment are leading to more sustainable and equitable approaches to managing our natural resources.

“We all should know that diversity makes for a rich tapestry, and we must understand that all the threads of the tapestry are equal in value no matter what their color.”

— Maya Angelou, Rainbow in the Cloud: The Wisdom and Spirit of Maya

Angelou

Vibrant graphic and text panels in the new exhibit will impart what the Jamestown legacies look like in the 21st century and share the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s commitment to take action on these legacies by giving back to the local community. The JYF team will identify three community organizations with a needed activity for each legacy, which will be presented on two touchscreen kiosks. Visitors will be able to select a token and place it in a slot at the kiosk, voting for the legacy and associated community project that resonates most with them. Votes will be tallied and displayed in real time at the voting stations.

Every four months, the legacy and community project with the most votes is selected. JYF will work with the organization representing the winning project to complete the activity. Visitors who are willing to enter their email addresses while voting at the kiosk will receive details on the chosen project and progress updates. In an effort to establish Jamestown legacy-related connections throughout the community, new community partners will be added to the voting options for each period.

The legacies of Jamestown are part of America’s shared history. Today’s generations are reshaping these legacies and creating new ones that will evolve into the future. Visitors are encouraged to look for ways to take action and leave a legacy in their own community.

— Bly Straube, Ph.D., FSA, Senior Curator

— Heather Hower, Director of Digital Media Services

“Democratic citizens, in particular, fulfill their civic role well when they are engaged, well-informed, and open to ideas and perspectives different from their own.”

— Christopher A. Calloway,

Civic Duties, Civic Virtues, and the Barriers to Effective Citizenship, American Bar Association

Vote NOW!

Cast a vote online to determine the first Legacy community service activity. JYF will engage in a community service project during the winter based on INSIDE JYF reader voting results. Legacy exhibit vote tallies and community service projects will begin in Spring 2025.

For the first community activity, JYF is partnering with three organizations:

Cultural Diversity Legacy: Hampton Roads Refugee Relief

Environmental Impact Legacy: Chippokes State Park

Civic Responsibility Legacy: American Red Cross

Scan the QR code to learn about each community organization and vote on one of these meaningful projects. Votes will be tallied on December 15, with project completion over the winter months. Vote now to put the Jamestown legacies in action today!

These design renderings represent the look and feel of the new legacy exhibit at Jamestown Settlement to open in Spring 2025. Lighted panels introduce visitors to the featured legacy themes, while images of past legacy-related community service projects entice guests to cast their vote at the kiosks to determine the next one.

New Members Join JYF Board of Trustees

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees welcomed new members appointed from both the Senate and the House of Delegates in the 2024 Virginia General Assembly session.

House members reappointed include Del. Amanda E. Batten, Del. Hyland F. “Buddy” Fowler, Jr., Del. C. E. “Cliff” Hayes, Del. M. Keith Hodges, and Del. Delores L. MQuinn. Senate reappointments were Sen. Mamie E. Locke and Sen. L. Louise Lucas.

Several newly appointed board members and the Speaker of the House (ex-officio) were elected in the 2024 session.

Del. David Bulova represents the 11th District in the Virginia House of Delegates, which includes the City of Fairfax and parts of Fairfax County. First elected in 2005, Bulova chairs the General Laws Committee and serves on the Appropriations and Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources committees. He and his wife, Gretchen, grew up in Fairfax County and have three children. He received a bachelor’s degree in government from William & Mary, a master’s degree of public administration from Virginia Tech, and is a 1997 graduate of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership Political Leaders Program.

Del. Betsy Carr was elected to the House of Delegates in 2009, representing parts of the City of Richmond on both sides of the James River. She serves on the Appropriations, Transportation, and General Laws committees, the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission, the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Commission, and Commission to Honor Women in Virginia. She is treasurer of the House Democratic Caucus. An honors graduate of Hollins College, she is the first Hollins graduate elected to serve in the Virginia General Assembly. She has three grown sons and six grandchildren.

Sen. J.D. “Danny” Diggs was elected to the Virginia Senate in November 2023 to represent District 24, which is comprised of York County, Poquoson City and the City of Williamsburg, parts of James City County and Newport News City. He serves on the Local Government, Privileges & Elections, and Transportation committees, as well as the Corrections Oversight Committee and the Virginia Commission on Intergovernmental Cooperation. He has more than 45 years of experience as a law enforcement officer. He is married to Patricia “Patty” Diggs and is a father and grandfather. He is originally from Hampton and attended Thomas Nelson Community College.

Sen. Ryan McDougle began his legislative service in the House of Delegates in 2002 and served in the Senate since 2006. He now represents the 26th Senate District, serving as the Senate Republican Leader. Sen. McDougle is a member of the Rules, Finance, Courts of Justice, Rehabilitation & Social Services, and Commerce & Labor committees. He graduated from James Madison University and obtained his juris doctor from Marshall-Wythe School of Law, William & Mary, and currently operates his own law practice, McDougle Law Firm, P.C. in Hanover. He and his wife, Dr. Robyn McDougle, have one daughter.

Speaker Don Scott was elected as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates in 2019 to represent the 88th District, the City of Portsmouth. In 2022, he was elected by members of his caucus to serve as House Democratic Leader and, in 2024, became Speaker of the House. He also serves as chair of the Senate Rules Committee. Speaker Scott was born and raised in Houston, Texas, and graduated from Texas A&M University. After serving as a U.S. Navy officer, he earned a law degree from Louisiana State University. He and his wife, Dr. Mellanda Colson Scott, have one daughter.

Del. Shelly Simonds represents District 70, part of the City of Newport News. She is a former teacher who started her time in elected office as a member of the Newport News School Board. She serves as the vice chair of the House Education Committee, chair of the K-12 subcommittee, as well as the Finance, Counties, Cities & Towns, and Agriculture, Chesapeake & Natural Resources committees. She received her undergraduate degree from Bucknell University and a master’s degree from Stanford University. She and her husband, Dr. Paul Danehy, live in the Denbigh area and have two daughters.

Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg received a bachelor’s in history from the University of Richmond and a master’s in history at Virginia Commonwealth University. He has taught for 19 years in Henrico County Public Schools. Elected to the Senate in November 2023 after serving in the Virginia House of Delegates for six years, he represents the 16th Senate District, which covers most of Western Henrico County. He is a member of the Education & Health, Rehabilitation & Social Services, Privileges & Elections, General Laws & Technology, and Local Government committees. He lives in Henrico and has three children.

calendar of EVENTS

Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design

EXTENDED THROUGH JANUARY 5 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, don’t miss iconic costume designs by two-time Academy Award-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, that converge with historical fashion of the 1600s and 1700s to transcend time periods. Discover her immersive process, historical research, and attention to detail, and be inspired to create your own designs.

Foods & Feasts of

Colonial Virginia

NOVEMBER 29 & 30 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT & AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, join in a 41-year Thanksgiving holiday tradition and dig into the foodways of early Virginia with historical demonstrations of centuries-old culinary practices and cooking techniques.

Director’s Series: Dr. Edward L. Ayers

NOVEMBER 20 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, sit down with Executive Director Christy S. Coleman and Dr. Edward L. Ayers – two-time Bancroft prize-winning historian and author, University of Richmond professor and president emeritus – as he touches on his work in digital history and how this reimagining helps others to fully understand and visualize the past.

Museum Store Sunday

DECEMBER 1 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT & AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, start your holiday shopping and stock up on unique gifts on this one-day annual shopping event offering a 20 percent discount on total in-store purchases.

Talking History Series: Jack Abbot

DECEMBER 12 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, join Jack Abbot for a first-person performance produced by the Select Society Theatre Company, “Conflict Between Church & State: An Audience with King Henry VIII.”

Stories from the People of the Longhouse

DECEMBER 28-29 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, join storyteller

Perry Ground, Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, as he brings traditional legends to life through vivid descriptions, rhythmic voice and audience interaction to share the history and culture of Native peoples.

Christmas Cheer

DECEMBER 14 AT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION

MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, enjoy a Candlelight

Christmas of the 18th century with crafts, carols, cookies, and stories by candlelight. DECEMBER 20-31 AT BOTH MUSEUMS, ’tis the season for Christmastide in Virginia with hands-on programs, festive cooking, and musical entertainment.

Director’s Series: Dr. Thomas E. Chavez

/ /

JANUARY 15 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, join Executive Director Christy S. Coleman and Dr. Thomas E. Chavez, a prolific historian and author who explores Spanish America and its intersections in the fight for American independence. He is a former executive director of the National Hispanic Culture Center in Albuquerque and the Palace of the Governors State History Museum in Santa Fe.

FREE ADMISSION FOR MILITARY

Veterans Day • November 11

Join in a special ceremony to honor the service of past and present military veterans.

MORE 2025 EVENTS & PROGRAMS

Black Artist Showcase • February 1-28 | “Patrons & Patriots” Special Exhibition • Opening March 8

Military Through the Ages • March 16-17 | Indigenous Arts Day • May 5 | Jamestown Day • May 10 Museums open year-round 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s days. Tours and ticket information available at jyfmuseums.org/visit or (757) 253-4838.

Check out the complete calendar at jyfmuseums.org/events.

PHOTO BY MINESH BACRANIA

MISSION & LEADERSHIP

MISSION

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation shall foster through its museums — Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown — an understanding and awareness of the early history, settlement, and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation.

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. was incorporated as a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization for charitable and educational purposes in support of the foundation’s programs and its museums, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. The JYF, Inc. cultivates donors, expands funding, contributes to program development, and stewards resources to strengthen the foundation’s museums.

JYF LEADERSHIP THROUGH JUNE 30, 2024

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors

• Mr. Terry E. Hall, President

• Mrs. T. J. Cardwell, Vice President

• Mrs. Alexis N. Swann, Treasurer

• Mrs. Mari Ann Banks, Secretary

• Mrs. Carolyn S. Abbitt

• Ms. Bentley R. Andrews

• Mr. Lawrence A. Bernert III

• The Honorable Frances C. Bradford

• Mrs. Donna P. Chapman

• Ms. Helen Zadarlik Cousins

• Mr. B. K. Fulton

• MG, USA (Ret) Michael T. Harrison, Sr.

• Mr. William J. Longan, Jr.

• The Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr.

• Mr. Fred W. Palmore III

• Mr. David Stephens

• Mr. Thomas H. Tullidge, Jr.

• Mr. B. Harrison Turnbull

• Ms. Adria Vanhoozier

• Dr. Karin A. Wulf

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees

• The Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr., Chairman

• Mrs. Sue H. Gerdelman, Vice Chairman

• The Honorable Delores L. McQuinn, Treasurer

• The Honorable Amanda E. Batten, Secretary

• The Honorable M. Kirkland Cox, Chairman Emeritus

• The Honorable H. Benson Dendy III, Chairman Emeritus

• The Honorable Kenneth Plum, Chairman Emeritus

• Mr. A. Marshall Acuff, Jr.

• Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr.

• Mrs. Anedra W. Bourne

• The Honorable David L. Bulova

• The Honorable Jamie T. Burke

• The Honorable Betsy B. Carr

• Mrs. Gloria Marrero Chambers

• The Honorable J.D. Diggs

• Mrs. Julie Dime

• The Honorable Winsome Earle-Sears

• Ms. Suzanne O. Flippo

• The Honorable Hyland F. Fowler, Jr.

• The Honorable Aimee R. Guidera

• Mr. Terry E. Hall

• The Honorable C.E. Hayes, Jr.

• The Honorable Daun S. Hester

• The Honorable M. Keith Hodges

• Mr. A.E. Dick Howard

• Mr. Charles E. James, Sr.

• Mrs. Constance R. Kincheloe

• Ms. Diane Leopold

• The Honorable Mamie E. Locke

• The Honorable L. Louise Lucas

• The Honorable Ryan T. McDougle

• The Honorable Jason S. Miyares

• Dr. Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander

• Ms. Leslie Sanchez

• The Honorable Don L. Scott, Jr.

• The Honorable Shelly A. Simonds

• The Honorable Luke E. Torian

• The Honorable Schuyler T. VanValkenburg

• Ms. Victoria Vasques

• The Honorable Glenn Youngkin

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Senior Staff

Ms. Christy S. Coleman, Executive Director

Dr. Mariruth Leftwich, Senior Director of Museum Operations and Education

Dr. Juliet Machie, Deputy Director/Senior Director of Administration

Mr. Coy M. Mozingo, Director, Human Resources and Professional Development

Mrs. Melissa Thompson, Chief Development Officer

Mrs. Glenda H. Turner, Senior Director of Marketing and Public Relations

Financial Overview and Philanthropy Report

Financial Overview: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2024

The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. (JYF, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that coordinates private fundraising to benefit the programs of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation (JYF), an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia that operates two history museums — Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s annual operating budget is $25.6 million, with $1.9 million from private philanthropy.

Philanthropy Report: July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024

Private support ensures that JYF can carry out its mission as an educational institution. The JYF, Inc. gratefully acknowledges the individuals, corporations, agencies, and foundations whose contributions are supporting our museums and programs. Information on the sources and uses of private funds is provided below.

Sources of Funds Raised

Funds Raised

$1,901,883

ANNUAL FUND OVERVIEW REPORT

Your Support Ensures Dynamic Programs, Year-round

This year, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation had incredible opportunities to fulfill both elements of our mission, to foster understanding of early America through the convergence of African, European, and Indigenous cultures, and the enduring legacies in the present.

In FY24, stewardship of our permanent galleries, livinghistory areas, and cutting-edge special programs beautifully demonstrates that the two halves of our mission complement and elevate one another — from restoring our faithful re-creation of Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant at the Mystic Seaport Museum to illuminating the historical legacies woven into imagining Wakanda in the “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” special exhibition. In these projects, we highlight the meaningful partnerships we are forging while sustaining our unique mission and voice.

Our mission serves a diverse audience — from locals to international visitors and from schoolchildren to scholars. In all our ongoing and special programming at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, JYF gives visitors of all backgrounds ways to meaningfully engage the past and its legacies.

Ongoing programming is made possible in part by support from Annual Fund donors, including members of The 1607 Society.

Seasonal Programs

From beloved long-running events like Military Through the Ages, which celebrated its 40th anniversary this year, to recently established events like After Angelo that are quickly becoming cherished traditions, JYF’s seasonal programs cultivate deep connections to history and heritage and build community. These programs brilliantly reflect our mission to foster understanding of the convergence of European, African, and Indigenous cultures in the past and their enduring legacies today. We are grateful for visitors who look forward to returning to these programs year after year and excited to welcome new faces each year.

From July 2023 to June 2024, JYF welcomed visitors to Liberty Celebration, First Africans Commemoration, Yorktown Victory Celebration, Family Frights, Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia, Christmastide in Virginia, After Angelo, Black Artist Showcase, Military Through the Ages, Indigenous Arts Day, Jamestown Day, Juneteenth, and Civic Season.

A special thanks to our Annual Fund donors and our local partners, James City County, Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, and York County Arts Commission for making these seasonal programs possible.

Artist Clayton Singleton meets with donors during the Black Artist Showcase artist meet and greet.

Guests view artwork at the Black Artist Showcase opening reception and artist meet-and-greet in February. Paintings shown, from left, are "Daddy Daughter Day," acrylic on canvas, 2023, by Clayton Singleton; "Beneath the Mask: A Visual Journey Through a Black Woman's Pain," acrylic, 2023, by Theresa Brown; "Dropping Anchor," acrylic on canvas, 2023, by Clayton Singleton.

Talking History Series

This year, JYF welcomed a range of experts who creatively connected audiences to the past.

From B.J. Pryor as Benjamin Franklin, Lee Ann Rose as Martha Washington, to Bill Barker as Thomas Jefferson and James Cameron as John Rollison, seasoned character interpreters breathed life into the nuanced issues of the American Revolution and the era of the early republic.

Artists illuminated crafts with deep histories. Upper Mattaponi citizen Deborah Wilkinson demonstrated and explained the traditional Indigenous art of gourd painting. Lauren Muney taught the now very rare art of freehand cutting silhouette portraits with scissors and its crucial place in portraiture before photography.

JYF’s own Travis Henline, curator of Indigenous History and Culture, examined the causes and legacies of Lord Dunmore’s War ahead of its 250th anniversary. The Talking History Series is supported by the Annual Fund.

Director's Series

The Director’s Series brought an incredible array of accomplished luminaries to JYF to share their expertise.

Two experts explored the promises and challenges of preservation. David M. Givens, then director of archaeology at Historic Jamestowne, addressed the challenges that Jamestown Island faces in the face of climate change. Joseph McGill, Jr., founder of The Slave Dwelling Project, gave insight into his work raising awareness of and preserving the structures where enslaved people lived.

Two award-winning authors explored the relationship between their work and their heritage.

Michael W. Twitty, an African American and Jewish culinary historian, shared how he expresses his heritage through cooking. Susan Devan Harness, a cultural anthropologist and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes, shared her experience as an American Indian transracial adoptee growing up with White parents in the American West.

Aimee R. Guidera, Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia, shared her vision of championing public education for Virginia students.

Ruth E. Carter, two-time Academy Award-winning American costume designer whose work is featured in the special exhibition, “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” shared her experiences and insight to a sold-out audience.

TowneBank is the presenting sponsor of the 2024 season of the Director’s Series.

Donors were invited to dinner and discussion with author and historian Michael Twitty (left).

Christy Coleman leads a discussion on citizenship in the new nation with Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Bill Barker (left) and John Rollison, portrayed by James Cameron (right).

MUSEUM

EDUCATION PROGRAMS

During the 2023-2024 school year, JYF delivered award-winning educational programming to a total of 211,431 students, a 6% increase over the previous year. Today, students have a remarkable variety of options for meaningful learning to meet the needs of every situation and learning style. Museum educators utilize an extraordinary range of tools and methods for students to flourish in this multifaceted educational landscape, from holding re-created artifacts in their own hands to experiencing a virtual bow-and-arrow demonstration from hundreds of miles away.

PARTNERSHIPS

What educators and museum professionals accomplish together is greater than the sum of their parts. Throughout the school year and the summer, JYF is proud to partner with the following neighboring museums, school districts, and other educational organizations to support each other in creating outstanding history education opportunities for students, teachers, and the community.

Hampton City Schools

James River Association

Made By Us

The Mariners’ Museum and Park

National Institute of American History and Democracy (NIAHD)

Virginia Council for Social Studies (VCSS)

Wilderness Education Project

William & Mary

Bob and Marion Wilson Teacher Institute of Colonial Williamsburg

York County School Division

ENSURING ACCESS

Demand for support in accessing our education programs is soaring — and so are costs. Thanks to our generous education donors, JYF educated 9,169 under-resourced students in 41 districts during the 2023-2024 school year, a 33% increase over the previous year.

A special thank you to Carolyn Condon, the Camp family foundations, the Huston Foundation, and Langley Federal Credit Union for their commitment to providing excellent history education to Virginia students.

SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE

Every summer, Virginia teachers from across the Commonwealth come to JYF museums for a one-of-a-kind professional development experience. In 2024, 33 teachers representing 20 school districts came to the Summer Teacher Institute for immersive hands-on learning with interpreters, curators, education staff, and scholars. Participating teachers return to their classrooms with in-depth understanding of Virginia history and concrete methods for delivering that knowledge and insight to their students. This summer was a season of remarkable transformation and growth for the institute. For the first time, middle and high school teachers participated in our inaugural secondary education session, with activities and lessons expertly tailored to their specific needs. JYF also continues to grow its new Master Teacher program. Launched in 2023, this program invites select Teacher Institute participants to offer their professional expertise to JYF year-round, consulting with museum staff on and assisting in implementing, effective educational programming and teacher professional development.

At Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, secondary school teachers analyzed primary sources, learned about Indigenous and African cultures prior to European contact and how all three cultures influenced one another in Virginia, and put their heads together in developing successful teaching strategies. They even had the chance to “meet” Angelo, one of the first African women documented at Jamestown.

At Yorktown, elementary school teachers immersed themselves in 18th-century farm life, “enlisted” in the Continental Army, and examined cultural convergence through objects. From processing flax, drilling in the army, to exploring the journey of the banjo from African to iconic “American” instrument, teachers cultivated innovative approaches to engaging their students.

Thanks to the dedicated, steadfast support of our donors, the Virginia teachers we welcomed to JYF are well-positioned to inspire their students with the Commonwealth’s dynamic and storied history.

The Summer Teacher Institute is supported by the Abbitt Family Foundation, the Charles S. and Millicent P. Brown Family Foundation, Audrael and John Chiricotti, Randy and Shelby Hawthorne, and Wilma and Marc Sharp

“I enjoyed all the cultural connections that I can take back to students to help history come alive for them.”

“The wealth of knowledge of each of the presenters was fantastic.”

“I have always considered myself knowledgeable about Jamestown but still feel I learned so much.”

“It gave me some great ways that I can teach about the American Revolution for my students by incorporating some hands-on activities.”

“I was blown away.”

“Thank you, donors!”

Special Projects

Carter led donors on a special tour of “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design.”

RUTH E. CARTER: AFROFUTURISM IN COSTUME DESIGN

In May, Ruth E. Carter joined donors for a VIP reception and tour of her decades of historically researched and inspired work. This special exhibition is extended for display at Jamestown Settlement through January 5, 2025.

Dominion Energy is the presenting sponsor of “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” with additional support from James City County.

SUSAN CONSTANT RESTORATION

In April 2024, the Blocker Foundation awarded JYF $60,000 for educational programming at the Jamestown Settlement ships’ pier during the Susan Constant ’s multiyear restoration.

GIVE ME LIBERTY

Opening at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in July 1, 2026, “Give Me Liberty” is the signature exhibition of Virginia’s commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. A joint exhibition with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in partnership with the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, “Give Me Liberty” will showcase the unique and essential role that Virginia played in the American Revolution.

“Give Me Liberty” is made possible thanks to the Carter Cabell Chinnis Foundation and York County.

Donors bid bon voyage to the Susan Constant at a special reception.

DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIO

The Digital Media Services team created a temporary green screen in two classrooms at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on September 28 to capture footage of Shawnee tribal members, which will be incorporated in the upcoming “Give Me Liberty” signature exhibition of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commemoration. The exhibition will open at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture in March 2025, followed by the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in July 2026.

In Spring 2024, The Cabell Foundation awarded JYF a $250,000 matching grant to complete a state-of-the-art digital media studio.

In early 2023, JYF formed a new Digital Media Services team to deliver innovative digital content, crucial to cultivating and sustaining new audiences — and saving JYF the high cost of outsourcing digital projects. With exciting 4D-theater experiences, multimedia gallery installations, interactive gallery tours via an app, and an engaging social media presence to complement marketing and virtual outreach to schools across Virginia, this dynamic new team is already hard at work elevating our ability to educate and inspire all ages and learning styles.

In the spirit of JYF’s commitment to the flourishing of this work, plans for the customdesigned studio were completed and approved by the Board of Directors in February 2024. This cutting-edge studio will provide the space and resources necessary to meet all the team’s design, production, recording, livestreaming, and editing needs, positioning JYF to connect with diverse 21st-century audiences on digital platforms and transform visitor experiences in our museums.

We are pleased to have already raised $102,000 toward this project. The Cabell Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match to all news gifts made to the project up to $250,000 — a significant way toward the $800,000 cost of the project. Digital engagement is critical to fostering our mission in our galleries, living-history areas, and virtual spaces. To learn more about how you can become a part of this exciting initiative, call (757) 253-4139 or email giving@jyf.virginia.gov.

DONOR SPOTLIGHTS

A Ship’s Doctor Reflects on a Maritime Journey

When Dr. James Barton answered an ad in the classifieds back in 1984, he didn’t know that he would be beginning not only an epic journey, but a historical relationship like no other.

“I thought they would want someone with more ships experience,” he said. That ad was placed by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, and James was hired due to his experiences as an emergency room doctor.

Soon, James became the ship’s doctor on Jamestown Settlement’s landmark 1985 voyage of the Godspeed from London, embarking on a 120-day sail on the re-created 17th-century ship. To cut through the monotony during nearly four months on the open sea, he brought a leather-bound journal and challenged himself to write in it each day. What remains is a beautiful piece of history, recounting a journey that began nearly 40 years ago and calls to mind the legacy of those sails many years before.

Today, James is no longer answering classified ads. He has served his community for decades, volunteering at Lackey Free Clinic, Olde Town Medical Center, and Williamsburg Faith in Action, as well as having a long career in the emergency department of Williamsburg Community Hospital and at William & Mary Student Health Center. He also continues to support JYF with his membership in The 1607 Society. Whether at sea or on land, James has created a legacy of service at JYF.

— Morgan Culbertson, Director of Major Gifts

HONORING

Dorothy White Grubbs

A LEGACY OF HISTORY AND EDUCATION

In memory of Dorothy White Grubbs, a beloved docent of Jamestown Festival Park, an engraved granite bench will soon grace the entrance outside the museum now known as Jamestown Settlement. This lasting tribute has been generously gifted by her grandchildren Ron, Rick, and Russ Andrews, and Margaret Andrews Piacentini.

Dorothy Dorothy served as a docent at Jamestown Festival Park, sharing her deep love of history. Her passion for history education was not limited to Jamestown; she also dedicated her time to Bacon’s Castle and Smith’s Fort Plantation.

Her grandchildren fondly recall “go with grandma to work days,” with Ron vividly remembering the excitement of going behind the scenes, watching her at her craft as she captivated audiences. He also recalls the special moments of climbing into the wishing well that was once at the museum and gathering all the coins — a memory that highlights her playful spirit.

Dorothy’s love for history and education left a lasting impression on her family. Her legacy includes 12 grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and 24 great-great grandchildren. When asked why they chose to honor Dorothy with a gift to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Ron and his siblings explained, “This gift is part of her lifelong commitment to education and the history that surrounds us.”

Dorothy had a remarkable ability to bring history to life, and the family believes that the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation continues to share this magic, not just within the museum but also through its outreach to schools and children who might otherwise miss out on these experiences.

The bench will serve as a meaningful place for Dorothy’s grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren to visit, see her name, and relive their memories of time spent with her — a fitting tribute to a woman who dedicated her life to bringing history to others.

— Olivia Glum, Major Gifts Officer

Stephanie Pope PRESERVING THE PAST BY INVESTING IN JYF’S FUTURE

Stephanie’s journey with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation began about 10 years ago during an impromptu visit to Jamestown Settlement with a friend. While she was impressed by the museum’s exhibitions and displays, it was the dedicated spaces for children to play and learn that truly captivated her. With a long and successful career in education, Stephanie is passionate about ensuring that children have access to the valuable lessons our mission imparts.

Stephanie has been an annual donor for 20 consecutive years, a testament to her deep commitment to our cause. Beyond her passion for education, she appreciates the foundation’s changing special exhibits and their quality, the attention to detail, and the graciousness extended towards donors. Recently, she took her dedication a step further by including JYF in her will. “I believe in your cause, and I want to see it continue to grow and thrive,” she said. Thanks to Stephanie and donors like her, we can sustain our mission and operations for years to come.

We are deeply grateful that Stephanie has the foresight and generosity to support JYF beyond her own lifetime. Her unwavering belief in our mission is truly inspiring, and we are profoundly thankful for her enduring commitment.

— Olivia Glum, Major Gifts Officer

“All people are worth studying, admiring, and learning about. And all children deserve access to this education.”

— Stephanie Pope

Stephanie, along with every member of the Mathews Legacy Society, embodies the inspired and selfless spirit of Nick and Mary Mathews, who were deeply committed to preserving our nation’s past.

By establishing planned gifts, members of the Mathews Legacy Society are planting the seeds of knowledge and appreciation that will grow for years to come. Their legacy is a beacon of hope, ensuring that the stories of our past continue to inspire and educate. Visit jyfinclegacy.org to:

• Read heartfelt personal stories of donors who have thoughtfully planned their legacies to benefit both their families and the future of our nation’s history.

• Explore the many ways you can make a planned gift to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc.

• Access tools and resources that will guide you in making a decision that feels right for you and your family.

Giving Levels

At the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc., we are deeply grateful for the continued support of members of The 1607 Society, Annual Fund donors who make an annual commitment of $1,607 or more. They enjoy special access to educational, cultural, and social events throughout the year, including:

• Free admission to both museums with a new membership card.

• 10% discount in the museum shops.

• Subscription to INSIDE JYF, our triannual magazine that provides readers with a deeper look into our current and upcoming programs, artifacts, and events.

• Early access and preferred invitations to museum events, such as exhibition openings, lectures, and behind-the-scenes opportunities.

• Invitations to receptions and opportunities to meet and greet visiting lecturers and honored guests.

These upper levels of The 1607 Society offer exclusive opportunities for deeper engagement with JYF’s mission. This year, members enjoyed a private tour of the “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design” special exhibition with Ruth E. Carter, followed by a reception, and a chance to bid bon voyage to Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant before it left for restoration.

Support at these levels not only enhances the donor experience but also plays a critical role in shaping the future of history education.

PATRON

($2,500-$4,999)

Donors enjoy full access to the benefits of The 1607 Society, along with invitations to special events.

BENEFACTOR

($5,000-$9,999)

Donors enjoy full access to the benefits of the Patron level, along with two vouchers for an American Heritage Annual Pass for guests.

LEADERSHIP CIRCLE

($10,000+)

Donors enjoy full access to benefits of the Benefactor level, along with personalized experiences and behind-thescenes tours.

For more information about The 1607 Society, please contact Heather Minty, director of the Annual Fund at (757) 253-4052 or heather.minty@jyf.virginia.gov.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, we are gearing up for unforgettable events and educational programs. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. invites YOU to support our Annual Fund and help us bring history to life for the next generation. YOUR

will help fund special programming, living-history experiences, and teacher resources, ensuring

and