INSIDE JYF
FALL 2025
from the EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Five years ago, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation team engaged in strategic planning. The result is a commitment to three pillars: People, Programs, and Communications. At the heart of each pillar is building a sense of belonging among our staff, visitors, community, and stakeholders.
What exactly does “belonging” mean, and how does it direct the work that JYF does? The simple answer—we are committed to ensuring everyone who interacts with JYF feels respected, connected, and valued. JYF connects people through history and cultural exploration in ways that value the contributions of those who shaped the promise and growth of the United States.
In the past year, ongoing research led to new interpretive programs that strengthen stories about diverse people who converged on these shores 400 years ago and whose descendants forged a new nation. We acquired artifacts to better tell these stories in our galleries, living-history areas, and programs. We built new partnerships and strengthened others.
Relationships with Historic Area, regional, and state partners are leveraging America’s 250th activities for 2026. Work with our Tribal Advisory Group and a new student advisory group are drawing new audiences and national funders.
From the “Patrons & Patriots” exhibition to the work with artists for the “Fresh Views of the American Revolution” exhibition, the results of these efforts this year speak for themselves. We also are thrilled to partner with the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation for the “Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” exhibition.
None of this would be possible without your support.
Thank you!
Christy S. Coleman Executive Director
INSIDE JYF
EDITORS
Mark Mulligan Tracy Perkins PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Joan Heikens Janet Kane DESIGNER
Holland Winslow STAFF CONTRIBUTORS
Brian Forrester, Constance Graham, Heather Hower, Lianne Koch, Mariruth Leftwich, Lisa Lucas, Sally Meyer, Deana Ricks, Melissa Gill Thompson, Glenda Turner, Meghan van Joosten
WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS
Felicia Abrams, Harvey Bakari, Elizabeth Bostelman, Morgan Culbertson, Megan Dahn, Aniya Espey, Leah Hearne, Heather Hower, Dexter Johnson, Gretchen Johnson, Janet Kane, Homer Lanier, Mariruth Leftwich, Sarah Meschutt, Sally Meyer, Maggie Meyers, Heather Minty, Coy Mozingo, Konstantin Rega, Deana Ricks, Nate Rodda, Bly Straube, Melissa Gill Thompson, Meghan van Joosten
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 5, No. 3 – printed October 2025
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an educational institution of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, fosters through its museum—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
Though not made from shells, early Europeans believed porcelain was crafted from soils containing centuries-old, crushed seashells. Its smooth, white surface reminded Marco Polo of the cowrie shell — porcellana in Italian — a name that would inspire the word “porcelain.” Centuries later, this oncemysterious Chinese ware turned up in one of the most unexpected places: the early colony of Jamestown. Explore the global journey of these exquisite ceramics in “Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition at Jamestown Settlement, November 15, 2025 to July 12, 2026.
Cowrie Shells
table of CONTENTS
About the Cover
How do Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown nurture belonging? Discover how curators, educators, and interpreters across the museums are building connections among diverse audiences in the American origin stories rooted at Jamestown and Yorktown, and how shared history can help forge a future where all belong.
Following the Dragon
A joint exhibition with the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation explores the story of how Chinese Ming porcelain made its way to Jamestown.
Winter Lantern Festival
Guests can “follow the dragon” and a kaleidoscope of other lanterns during a festive holiday experience at Jamestown Settlement.
Blue Christmas
From Chinese porcelain to America’s 250th merchandise, museum shops offer unique finds for someone special this season.
Iconic
Portrait of George Washington takes Center Stage at Yorktown
In time for America’s 250th anniversary, a circa-1790 portrait of George Washington by American artist Charles Peale Polk — depicting Washington as commander in chief and victor of the Battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777 — is prominently displayed in the Declaration of Independence rotunda. Read about the new acquisition and where to “meet” this founding father at the museum and online.
Transforming the Galleries Jamestown Settlement entry galleries will represent complex belief systems thanks to an ongoing partnership with the Lilly Endowment.
Battle of Great Bridge
The infamous Revolutionary War battle in Chesapeake marks its 250th anniversary.
FY25 Annual Report
Celebrate the generous contributions of donors to bolster museum programs and education initiatives.
Image courtesy of Robert Simon Fine Art, New York.
BELONGING:
CONNECTING US TO OUR PAST AND EACH OTHER
When JYF staff considered how to deepen audience impact, we knew that we wanted to engage visitor curiosity to make connections between Indigenous, African, and European cultures.
Finding Belonging through Personal Stories
Personal stories of everyday people are one of our most powerful tools for nurturing belonging in museums, but personal accounts from the 17th and 18th centuries can be difficult to find. These compelling stories can come from unlikely sources, such as court records and legal petitions, offering intimate glimpses into the lives of people who are often overlooked in history’s narratives —especially women. These documents provide evidence of individuals advocating for themselves and navigating immense challenges. Anne Burras Laydon and
Elizabeth Key are examples of two remarkable women from early Jamestown whose stories were preserved through legal documents. Anne Burras Laydon, who arrived at Jamestown in 1609 at 14 years old, was one of the first English women in the Virginia colony. Her marriage to John Laydon was the first recorded English marriage in Jamestown. From there, she endured starvation, isolation, and danger in a fragile settlement. We know her name because she appeared in official colony records first as a servant, then as a wife, mother, and finally as a landholder in her own right, a status she could have only dreamed of in England.
Elizabeth Key’s story exemplifies persistence in the face of injustice. Born to an enslaved African woman and a free Englishman, Elizabeth’s indenture was extended
despite her father’s status and her Christian baptism. In an extraordinary act of courage and legal savvy, she successfully sued for her freedom. Her case is preserved in court documents, where the argument for freedom rested on her paternity, faith, and expiration of her indenture. In the years to follow, these avenues to freedom would slowly be closed off to enslaved men, women, and children in Virginia. Her story, reconstructed through legal documents, reveals a woman whose voice still resonates in today’s conversations about race, gender, and justice.
Connecting through Artifacts
These important personal stories are also told through objects, including archaeological artifacts. The story of Sarah Drummond inspired JYF to acquire a delftware cat jug similar to pieces of one that was found in her household remains. Sarah is another example of a woman who interacted with the legal system and advocated for herself using her voice and connections. She was married to William Drummond, a political leader who eventually settled with his family on the Governor’s Land near Jamestown.
Sarah Drummond actively supported Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676, alongside her husband, and attended many of the planners’ meetings. After the rebellion was quelled, and her husband executed for treason in 1677, Sarah’s property was confiscated, and the crops and goods were seized. Drummond quickly petitioned the English government for restitution. Her successful "Humble Petition" of October 9, 1677, survives in the United Kingdom’s National Archives.
Women’s stories like these illustrate how museums can nurture belonging by sharing accounts that echo modern testimonies of courage, identity, and power. Sharing these histories creates a bridge for visitors of all backgrounds to see themselves reflected in American history, which is filled with ordinary individuals who asserted their humanity in extraordinary circumstances, and offers opportunities for greater belonging in the present.
Cat jug, delftware, c. 1670, London, England. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, JYF38309. Acquired through private donations to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc.
Growing Belonging through Doing
Inviting visitors to experience the past through living history can open doors to belonging. For Robert Cunningham, a part-time staff interpreter on the Revolution-era farm at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, belonging at JYF began with a 2017 family visit for the museum's grand re-opening. That memorable encounter led several years later to Robert becoming a volunteer junior interpreter, helping to create unique living-history experiences for other families to enjoy.
Robert felt welcomed by his colleagues, deepening that sense of belonging. He recalled that “the people I worked with made a big difference in the experience too. They never made me feel less for not knowing something. They enjoyed teaching me and showing me how to do things.”
Robert embraced these lessons and later joined the JYF staff because he saw the impact that living history has on visitors. He recently reflected that “you’d think something like mixing cornmeal or worming tobacco would not interest adults as much as kids, but they love it too! While they are doing these tasks, you can have a great conversation about who would have been doing this work in the 18th century.”
Robert’s experience demonstrates the many ways that living history’s hands-on interactions can help create impactful memories that nurture belonging.
The Power of Belonging
Belonging in museums can take many different forms, including the connections that people feel to the experience, the place, and themselves. Visitors can feel a sense of belonging when the museum's content, exhibitions, and activities connect with their own interests, identities, and backgrounds. By intentionally sharing histories and creating visitor experiences that build this feeling of belonging, we aim to create a powerful resonance with the past while also building greater care for those in the present.
—Felicia Abrams, School Programs Manager
—Sally Meyer, Director of Learning & Engagement
—Gretchen Johnson, Living History Manager
—Mariruth Leftwich, Ph.D. Senior Director, Museum Operations & Education
Robert Cunningham, from engaged visitor (above) to living-history interpreter (at right).
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown now displays this circa-1790 portrait of George Washington by American artist Charles Peale Polk (1767-1822), who portrays the general as the victor of the Battle of Princeton, January 3, 1777. Image courtesy of Robert Simon Fine Art, New York.
By George, New Portrait takes Center Stage
Portraiture has been prevalent in American homes since colonial times. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation museums acquire portraits of national icons, using art to bring history to life and to engage visitors in reflection upon the legacy accomplished by the nation’s leaders and many unsung heroes of the past. These faces enrich the appreciation and gratitude for those people of the past who served a great cause in extraordinary circumstances; these people strove to shape a new nation, and their legacies continue to shape lives today.
George Washington is the preeminent founding father of the United States of America, and his face has become synonymous with American sovereignty, a national icon featured on the obverse of the one-dollar bill since 1869.
The main gallery at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown honors General George Washington, whom the Second Continental Congress named commander in chief of the Continental Army in June 1775, and who led his troops to victory after eight years of war in the struggle for freedom from British rule.
An impressive portrait has now taken center stage as part of the core collection at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
It was painted in the early 1790s by Charles Peale Polk (1767-1822), who was the adopted nephew of the leading American portraitist of the day, Charles Willson Peale. Polk trained as an artist from the age of 10 in Peale’s studio.
The portrait represents Washington in the field at Princeton, New Jersey, after defeating a British army in January 1777. Polk paints a martial figure of Washington in his Continental uniform set within a landscape of the Continental Army’s encampment. This setting and the steadfast expression of Washington’s face was inspired by Charles Willson Peale’s “Convention Portrait,” a portrait executed from life at a sitting Washington granted him in Philadelphia while the general was presiding at the Continental Convention in 1787.
The American victory at Princeton was a triumph for Washington and stirred American patriotic morale at a critical moment in the struggle for American Independence—an event that left a lasting impression on the lives of the artists Charles Willson Peale and his brother, James Peale. Both artists were patriots and fought with the Continental troops at Princeton under Washington’s leadership. Their nephew, Charles Peale Polk, references the Battle of Princeton in all his portraits of
“First in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen.”
Revolutionary War cavalry commander, Henry "Light-Horse Harry" Lee III, December 14, 1799
George Washington that share the facial features Peale captured in the “Convention Portrait.”
Polk painted nearly 50 portraits of Washington at Princeton in his lifetime, all of them distinguished in the details and all referencing the victor’s stand at Princeton, January 3, 1777. These Polk portraits of Washington enrich major American art collections, including the National Gallery of Art, the Winterthur Museum, and the Chrysler Museum of Art. Some were evidently commissioned for foreign residences in Holland, Ireland, Spain, and Germany to represent Washington as the outstanding American leader who led the American Revolutionary armies to victory and served as the first president of the independent United States (1789-1797).
—Sarah Meschutt, Ph.D. Senior Curator
‘Meet’
George
At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, visitors can experience the stories of citizens and soldiers caught up in the Revolution – notably George Washington, commander in chief of the Continental Army and first president of the United States.
As an icon of American history, George Washington
symbolizes many things to many people, and for well over 200 years, has been represented in paintings, prints, sculpture, decorative objects, and other artistic media.
From a general on the battlefield to a statesman forming a new nation, here are half-a-dozen ways to encounter Washington.
Take a selfie with George Washington, a bronze sculpture near the museum’s entrance, as he looks up from reading the preamble to the U.S. Constitution. 1
Catch “Liberty Fever,” the museum’s award-winning introductory film, to see General Washington leading the troops in battle. 2 3 4 5
“The Siege of Yorktown” experiential theater features scenes with Washington as he plans strategies with French allies and rallies the troops in the trenches.
In The New Nation gallery, take in the life-size cast plaster statue of Washington that once graced the Hall of Representatives in the U.S. Capitol. It is an exact replica of the marble statue by Jean-Antoine Houdon in the Virginia State Capitol and crafted by William James Hubard in Richmond. Nearby, see a collection of late 18th-century artifacts associated with the first president—a presidential inaugural button, shoe buckles, an epaulette star made for his military uniform, a masonic jug, and a 1796 portrait of Washington after Gilbert Stuart’s Landsdowne portrait.
Outdoors, learn about life for Washington’s troops in the re-created Continental Army encampment. There, enlist as a soldier, see how the army was fed, outfitted, and readied for the Revolution.
You also won’t want to miss the museum shop, where you can take home souvenirs related to Washington, including a miniature and life-size bust. 6
FIND GEORGE! A New Game
JYFMUSEUMS.ORG now features “By George!” — a new online illustrated activity for visitors to find George Washington while touring the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Icons with thought-provoking images ask, “Is this George?” and encourage users to click on each one to reveal details about each museum feature and whether it really is Washington or another George at the museum.
Washington’s Commitment to Belonging
Many marginalized groups wondered about their future in the new United States. In 1789 and 1790, Jewish communities in New York, Philadelphia, Richmond, Savannah, Charleston, and Newport, Rhode Island wrote President Washington to wish him well as the new nation’s first leader and seek assurance of their belonging in the nascent republic.
Most well-known to history is Washington’s answer to the Jewish community of Newport, Rhode Island.
Lacking a permanent rabbi throughout the colonial era, warden Moses Seixas of Yeshuat Israel, Newport’s Sephardic congregation, delivered an address to Washington during his August 1790 visit.
Try It!
Seixas wrote, “Deprived as we heretofore have been of the invaluable rights of free citizens, we now… behold a government erected by the MAJESTY OF THE PEOPLE—a government which to bigotry gives no sanction—to persecution no assistance; but generously affording to ALL liberty of conscience, and immunities of citizenship.”
In his answers to various communities, Washington frequently echoed the same language that the community itself used, a common and accepted 18th-century practice to affirm that their message was clearly heard and understood. Washington responded, “For happily the government of the United States, which gives to bigotry no sanction—to persecution no assistance, requires only that they who live under its protection, should demean themselves as good citizens.”
—Mark Mulligan, Ph.D. Development Writer
JYF2008.10, Silver Menorah (Chanukkiah), Rotger Herfurth, Frankfurt, Germany, c. 1760.
History from the Ground Up
Imagine stumbling across a dusty, cobweb-covered trunk in the attic of an old, abandoned house. Inside are previously unknown letters, journals, and other documents written during Jamestown’s formative years—a treasure trove of new information! That same sense of discovery has defined the work since 1994 of archaeologists with Preservation Virginia’s Jamestown Rediscovery. At the Historic Jamestowne site of James Fort (c.1607–1624), archaeologists have uncovered a wealth of artifacts that not only confirms or challenges written accounts, but reveals aspects of daily life that were never recorded.
Far from merely supporting familiar narratives, the ongoing archaeology at Historic Jamestowne has upended long-standing assumptions about the colony’s earliest years. For generations, the settlers were stereotyped as idle gentlemen, more likely to be found “bowling in the streets” than engaging in hard labor. However, the material evidence tells a different story.
Tools, equipment, and industrial byproducts unearthed at the site indicate the work of blacksmiths, metallurgists, and other skilled craftsmen working to generate profit for Virginia Company investors. Much of these efforts went unrecorded in contemporary accounts, but the soil beneath James Fort has proven rich with traces of their labor and ambition despite the hardships they faced.
Wine cups are shown in “Bouquet of Flowers in Glass” by Christoffel van den Berghe, 1617. Courtesy, Philadelphia Museum of Art, John G. Johnson Collection.
Assemblage of lotus-and-scroll Ming porcelain wine cups discovered in James Fort (ca. 1600-25). Jamestown Rediscovery (Preservation Virginia).
This context makes the discovery of at least 125 Chinese porcelain vessels from the late Ming dynasty (1572-1620) even more striking. These fragile symbols of wealth and status seem more at home in royal palaces than in a struggling outpost of mud-walled structures and subsistence-level survival.
“Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown,” a special exhibition opening November 15 at Jamestown Settlement, explores this surprising story. Presented in partnership by Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the exhibition will feature 32 archaeological vessels displayed alongside intact examples from international and national lenders, as well as from the Jamestown-Yorktown
One notable loan that has never left England or been loaned since royal acquisition is a Ming bottle with gilt-bronze mounts from the Royal Collection Trust. It features a fenghuang, a mythical bird representing the Chinese empress and symbolizing joy, peace, and sincerity. Before the exhibition, the bottle has been at Buckingham Palace for nearly 180 years, where Queen Victoria asked that it be moved in 1847.
recovered from the Witte Leeuw, a Dutch East India Company ship that sank in 1613 while returning from Bantam, Java with Asian goods. Dutch merchants, key players in the global porcelain trade, may have directly supplied porcelain to Jamestown colonists trading tobacco.
The archaeological evidence shows that even in its earliest, most precarious years, Jamestown was no isolated outpost but connected to a vast and complex web of global trade, diplomacy, and cultural exchange.
China, One of a pair of bottles, Ceramic 1580, gilt bronze mounts, late 17th-early 19th century ©Royal Collection Enterprises Limited [2025] Royal Collection Trust.
Another wonderful loan is a tiny wine cup from the Winterthur Museum that matches 20 fragmentary vessels from James Fort. Decorated with a lotus and scroll motif, the cup was
“Following the Dragon” invites visitors to rethink the beginnings of English America and see how a handful of porcelain sherds can reshape our understanding of the past.
—Bly Straube, Ph.D., FSA Senior Curator
“Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition runs November 15, 2025 to July 12, 2026.
A Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologist uncovers artifacts from the James Fort site at Historic Jamestowne. Jamestown Rediscovery (Preservation Virginia) photo.
The special exhibition is supported in part by James City County, James D. and Pamela J. Penny, Wilma and Marc Sharp, Ms. Lydia Kay Wilkinson, Mark A. and Iris Coblitz, Linda T. Baker, Carolyn Abbitt, Bruce H. and Eleanor Knowles, Larkin and Danny Schmidt, and Stephen and Jean Louie.
with Friends and Family at WINTER LANTERN FESTIVAL
Taking inspiration from the Chinese imagery found on the porcelain in the “Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition, Jamestown Settlement will present a Winter Lantern Festival, Thursday through Sunday evenings, November 13 to January 4.
The multi-day evening event is among a rich calendar of special exhibition programs and events designed for locals, visitors, family, and friends to connect with one another and the history of Jamestown during the holidays.
Visitors to the Winter Lantern Festival can explore a kaleidoscope of lanterns depicting Chinese myths, legends, and zodiacs. Each artisan-made lantern is made of hand-painted silk cloth draped over a frame filled with glimmering lights.
The lanterns, ranging from 6- to 30-feet high and featuring a variety of figures and designs, including dragons, will project a wonderland of light and color.
The Winter Lantern Festival, produced by Kaleido Entertainment, was founded with the goal of creating amazing experiences with beautiful lanterns and promoting global, cross-cultural communication.
The chief lantern artist, Wang Yu, a native of Bazhong, Sichuan, has a passion for art and cultural preservation and leads the team of artisans that work to create the lanterns using traditional methods and imagery.
The spectacular lights display will be accompanied by live entertainment, including acrobatic performances, as well as refreshments and souvenirs.
Tickets are available at jyfmuseums.org/winter-lantern-festival.
—Sally Meyer, Director of Community Learning & Engagement
—Elizabeth Bostelman, Community Engagement Manager
Celebrating all things blue
semiquincentennial, this tee from Spirit Jersey is decorated using tactile glitter puff print for the 250 design on the front chest, and AMERICA tracing the back
From Kazi, this petite lidded box can hold small treasures on a shelf or a small gift under the tree. Handmade in Rwanda, using all natural fibers of sisal, in an ethical, fair-trade environment with the Nest Seal of Transparency. All Kazi products are made by hand with love and vary slightly in color and size.
Find these specialty items in the museum shops at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or shop online at shopjyf.com.
This beautiful Delft jar ornament is a miniature version of jars originally used in colonial Virginia during the 17th and 18th centuries to store herbs and leaf tobacco.
Manufactured for our Museum Shop by Royal Goedewaagen—one of the oldest earthenware factories in the Netherlands—this ornament is made using the finest clay.
To optimize and guarantee quality, various clays from Germany, England, and Norway are mixed. The clay is then transferred to plaster molds and carefully baked in a bisque oven. Finally, the ceramics are decorated with bile acids or paint, resulting in the heirloom-quality reproduction that will endure for many generations. The “Virginia” tobacco jar ornament in blue and white measures 3 inches and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Created in collaboration with Jamestown Rediscovery for the “Following the Dragon: Chinese Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition, this elegant bowl is a replica of a Ming porcelain bowl discovered by Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists in contexts dating c.1607-25 at James Fort, Historic Jamestowne, Virginia.
Made in Jingdezhen, China, the fragmentary original features dragons chasing the flaming pearl of wisdom. Pieces of a second bowl with this motif were also found in the fort. Only one other similar bowl to these rare objects is known. It was found in Bantam, Java, and is now in a private collection. Bantam was a key trading hub for Southeast Asia, and in 1602, the English East India Company established a factory there, linking it to Jamestown’s early colonists. Over 100 rare Chinese porcelain vessels were found in the settlement. Presented in a keepsake box, the replicas are available for a limited time.
Student Insight Invaluable to Create Belonging Among Gen Z Audiences
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation piloted a student advisory council this past spring, which became a collaboration to raise the voices of Gen Z audiences. This year-round student advisory group provides an important service to JYF and the community.
Among the group’s goals is to work as advisors and program developers, drive conversations of belonging and how it can be expressed in museum storylines and represent Gen Z interests to the Foundation, which values their expertise, experiences, and diverse perspectives on history and museums.
Comprised of six high school students from Poquoson, York, and Williamsburg-James City County, the inaugural student council members shared their perspectives and experiences to help inform exhibits and programs when considering Gen Z audiences. The current council has been recruited from an expanded area of five counties and four cities. The forum allows JYF to grow a stronger bond with local communities.
As a paid position, JYF works with local schools and teachers during the recruitment process to identify potential student council candidates, evaluate applications, and conduct interviews.
This past school year, the students helped Exhibit Services with feedback on an early design of an interactive planned for the “Following the Dragon: Ming Porcelain in Early Jamestown” special exhibition and Civic Season programs, a national initiative running from Juneteenth to the Fourth of July.
Members of the student advisory council helped facilitate a Community Helpers Day on June 21 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown which invited community groups, including Literacy for Life, the Yorktown League of Women Voters, and the Poquoson-York County Sheriff’s Department, to present their work to museum visitors.
The student advisors’ major role was to interact with museum visitors and, with the help of museum educators, lead the daily Civic Season activities at the museum. Leading up to the event, they learned different techniques to use when working with members of the public, customer service approaches, and how to talk about difficult topics in history.
Throughout the process, the student leaders provide staff with invaluable insight and ideas for changes in the future. Students can learn more about the council and future recruitment at jyfmuseums.org/student-advisory-council.
—Felicia Abrams, School Programs Manager
—Nate Rodda, Youth & Family Programs Manager
As part of the national Civic Season campaign in June, around 175 people joined JYF for a civics-themed trivia night at Precarious Beer Project in Williamsburg.
WAYS OF BEING: Jamestown Settlement Gallery Transformations Ahead
Capuchin Missionary Performs a Catholic Wedding, Sogno, Kingdom of Kongo, 1740s.
CREDIT: “Dream: Bamba, Pemba, Ovando and other regions of the kingdoms of Congo, Angola and adjacent,” Paola Collo and Silvia Benso (eds.), published privately by Franco Maria Ricci, Milan, 1986, p. 197.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has been honored with a second grant from the Lilly Endowment’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative. The $1.98 million in support will help transform the entry galleries at Jamestown Settlement. The first grant, awarded in 2022, was dedicated to understanding the religious convergence in early America. The second phase of funding will allow JYF to interpret the religious and spiritual practices of Indigenous and African peoples and their belief systems before convergence with the English, for only then can we truly understand the impact of what comes after these cultures collided in the 17th century.
This new focus aligns with the Lilly Endowment’s values to create content and experiences about religion and belief systems that are fair, accurate, and balanced, which will support JYF in more authentically representing the intricately interwoven spiritual systems that bound 17th-century people and their worlds. Introducing this approach more closely situates our work with the way that historians of religion in early America are exploring the relationships between religious beliefs and secular forces. Recognizing the complexity of these relationships can create more complete portraits of religious beliefs, rituals, and practices of individuals, families, and religious communities.
This gallery transformation, slated for 2029, will introduce new exhibition elements and approaches and will be more responsive to scholarship and community advisors. The gallery area that represents the Powhatan Indian’s way of life prior to the arrival of English colonists, for example, currently lacks a depiction of how spirituality was infused in every aspect of Indigenous life. JYF’s Tribal Advisory Group sees the current gallery portrayal of Indigenous life as one without richness or humanity and are eager for a more balanced and full portrayal of Native ways of being to be shared
with visitors. When asked to imagine what that might look like in the gallery, the representatives from Virginia’s tribes spoke about creating a space that was circular, as the circle represented everything from seasons to spiritual balance in traditional Indigenous worlds. Through the middle of this circle there should be a representation of flowing water, with water serving as both a lifeline for food and trade, but also a place with ritual and religious meaning.
The newly constructed gallery worlds will enable us to re-interpret existing artifacts. Blacksmith tools currently on display, for example, speaking to African skills in metalworking could be much more effectively connected to the role iron “...long played in how [African] people worshipped, self-actualized, and maintained cultural and spiritual connections to their belief systems.”
These artifacts could further support the ways that “blacksmithing was an art and technology that enabled new cosmological possibilities and aided the world-making imaginations of African captives and generations that followed, particularly as they were forced to make and remake their lives.” 1
By developing this holistic understanding of Indigenous and African cultures before convergence at Jamestown, the new galleries will create more meaningful connections between these ways of being and visitors, to deepen understanding and curiosity about cultures and nurture belonging.
Mariruth Leftwich, Ph.D. Senior Director, Museum Operations & Education
1 Commander, M. (2024). “Ironwork and Speculative World Making,” in In Slavery’s Wake: Making Black Freedom in the World, eds. Gardullo, P., Obenda, J., and Bogues, A. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Books, p. 84.
KEOLA LEE
Building Strong Systems & Belonging
For Keola Lee, procurement officer at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, belonging isn’t something passive, it’s something created through intention, community, and everyday choices.
Rooted in his Native Hawaiian heritage, Keola brings the principles of kuleana (responsibility), lokahi (unity), and pono (doing what is right) to the workplace. “Coming from a culture that deeply respects ancestry and place,” he said, “I bring that same reverence with supporting those that are preserving and interpreting history here at JYF.”
Keola’s path has never followed a straight line. After growing up in a culturally rich environment, he joined the Marine Corps at age 17. Immersed in diversity and adaptability, he learned to connect across differences and experienced lessons that prepared him for his evolving roles at JYF. “Over time, I realized that my experiences brought a valuable and needed perspective,” he shared. “The more I embraced that, the more I felt at home here.”
He was first drawn to JYF by the mission. A natural fit for someone who values service, culture, and truth in storytelling, the Foundation offered both purpose and growth. Starting as an executive assistant in the Department of Administrative Operations, Keola approached every task with curiosity and intent. His drive opened doors to project coordination, team leadership, and risk management.
Now, as procurement officer, Keola finds excitement in aligning strategy with stewardship. “Procurement is more than just purchasing,” he said. “It’s about building relationships, reducing risk, and supporting the mission in tangible ways.”
His journey reflects a broad understanding of how systems work behind the scenes. Keola brings transparency, collaboration, and ethics to his new role, all qualities that reinforce inclusion across the organization. “I want people to feel seen, supported, and valued,” he affirmed. “To me, belonging isn’t just a feeling, it’s something we cultivate through everyday actions.”
That ethos extends beyond his own career. From mentoring others to creating space for dialogue, Keola leads with a commitment to connection. “You don’t have to follow a linear path to make a meaningful impact,” he encouraged. “Your background is not a limitation, but a source of strength.”
Looking ahead, he hopes his legacy is one of empowerment and integrity. “If I’ve helped build strong systems and made people feel like they belonged, then I’ve done something worthwhile.”
—Coy Mozingo, Senior Director of Human Resources & Professional Development
KAREN PEIFER
Passion Sparks Purpose
Volunteerism and history share a unique bond at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. For decades, individuals like Karen Peifer have fueled its mission, illustrating how passion sparks purpose and connection.
Karen first found JYF while organizing Dumfries’ 250th anniversary in 1999. Captivated by Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant, she invited its crew to visit local children. Years later, then retired, she encountered Captain Eric Speth, who encouraged her to volunteer. “He invited me to come volunteer, and I did,” Karen recalled.
By 2007, after two years of training and guiding, she led a tour for then Virginia Governor Tim Kaine’s wife and parents, one of her proudest moments. “I was excited by how much Jamestown Settlement offered the public,” she said. Each conversation, artifact, and question answered deepened her confidence.
Moving to Williamsburg without knowing the locals, Karen found fellowship through volunteering. “Once I came out and got my feet wet, I fell in love with what the settlement offered,” she explained. Sharing stories of early colonists and Powhatan interactions connected her to new friends and deepened her appreciation for community.
Karen’s husband asked what they should do for their 60th wedding anniversary, and she chose a party at the museum’s Robert V. Hatcher, Jr., Rotunda. Working with Senior Sales and Promotions Manager Joan Heikens, she planned an intimate gathering for friends old and new. Two interpreters presented programs on Jamestown’s significance and the colony’s first women, weaving history into their celebration.
Joan noted that many guests had never experienced a private event at the museum. “They were pleasantly surprised how the venue retained the historical feel and was transformed to an elegant yet comfortable setting for friends and family,” she said. With exclusive use of the first floor, the evening felt intimate and special.
Karen hopes more volunteers will join JYF. “The mission is strong,” she said. “Learn the story. Appreciate the details. Understand that if your passion for Jamestown history shines through, it will inspire others.”
Her anniversary celebration stands as a testament to the power of history to teach, to unite, and to create lasting memories.
Karen’s journey reminds us that when passion meets purpose, every story and every celebration becomes part of something larger than ourselves.
— Coy Mozingo, Senior Director of Human Resources & Professional Development
—Chas Ritinski, Training and Development Manager, contributed to this story.
Make Your Event Memorable
Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offer dramatic spaces perfect for private events, weddings, receptions, and special occasions. Turn your dreams into reality with unique, memorable venues. jyfmuseums.org/private-events
‘WE THE PEOPLE’ Draws Thousands to Preview
‘THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION’
Florentine Film cinematographer Buddy Squires captured scenes at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in Spring 2024 for the Ken Burns’s “The American Revolution” documentary airing on PBS on November 16.
People, thousands of them, descended on Yorktown Battlefield September 20 for a special one-day Revolutionary Fest and preview screening of “The American Revolution” documentary to air on PBS November 16.
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation joined Colonial National Historical Park, York County, WHRO Public
Media and VA250, in presenting the event that drew an estimated 7,500 people for a festival with musical performances and hands-on experiences celebrating the American Revolution. By nightfall, spectators grabbed their seats for the long-awaited preview with curated excerpts for Yorktown audiences.
The much-anticipated series, directed and produced by Ken Burns, Sarah Botstein and David Schmidt and written by long-time collaborator Geoffrey C. Ward, is launching in 2025, the 250th anniversary of the start of the war, which began in the spring of 1775, more than a year before the Declaration of Independence.
“The event was the culmination of many months of working alongside our wonderful Yorktown partners to deliver a one-of-a-kind experience on the Yorktown Battlefield designed to inspire our community to reconnect and rediscover Yorktown’s rich history,” said JYF Visitor Experience Director Homer Lanier.
The Screening
Within eyeshot of Redoubts 9 and 10, Schmidt, a Williamsburg native and co-director, gave remarks honoring Yorktown as the location for the decisive Revolutionary War victory and credited the Colonial National Historical Park and York County for its efforts to preserve its history for future generations.
Schmidt applauded the extensive footage captured by Florentine Films at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and the expertise of the museum.
On the screen and behind the scenes, specialized teams— maritime, artillery and black powder experts, interpreters depicting sailors, soldiers and farmers, as well as tailors, museum registrars, curators, and historians—supported the production and consulted on historical settings, clothing, props, artifacts, and landscapes.
Complex maritime and artillery scenes, including the sailing of Jamestown Settlement's Godspeed and coordination of simultaneous broadside artillery firings from the Susan Constant at night, provided rare vantage points for the film.
“That’s me, that’s me up there!” proclaimed Sarah Raiford, Revolution-era farm supervisor, as she caught a glimpse of her buckled shoes turning dirt in an excerpt of the film.
Look for more scenes when “The American Revolution” premieres November 16 on PBS.
The Revolutionary Fest on Yorktown Battlefield offered hands-on experiences, including demonstrations by the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown artillery crew, interpreters, and volunteers, creating a mural for America’s 250th anniversary, and several appearances by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the “Old Guard.”
Call to Action
‘The fate of the Revolution is for YOU to decide!’
This parting sentiment from the early 19th-century storyteller in “Liberty Fever,” the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown’s signature film, invites all modern-day Americans, whatever era they find themselves living in, to actively further the liberty so hard-won during the Revolution. The ending to the film actually serves as a beginning—where all of us are charged to carry forward and improve upon our country’s foundations.
Film is a powerful tool, drawing individuals immersed in the story to find a part of themselves in the action on screen, encouraging them to challenge previously held convictions through the diverse and complex characters they find connections with and to see the world through a different, more empathetic lens. We wanted “Liberty Fever” viewers to experience a deeper understanding of historical human experience, find connection with their own story, and be part of the ongoing effort to improve upon our liberty.
Though important, cold hard facts—numbers, dates, and the like—are not enough to inspire a sense of
connection with the past and a feeling of belonging in its legacies. Facts alone do not change minds and actions.
What can? Stories. Through storytelling, films can open viewers to new feelings and thoughts about people and the groups they come from. These shifts in perspective build bridges of understanding, making way for realized connections.
For this reason, JYF strived to include as many personal stories as possible during production of “Liberty Fever,” told from varying perspectives. Watching the stories unfold, visitors feel what it would be like to witness violence erupting around them, to fear that promises made would not be kept, and to despair at families coming apart over disparate viewpoints. By presenting relatable stories that expose audiences to diverse perspectives, we hope to inspire visitors to pick up the challenge issued by the storyteller at the end of the film—to continue fighting for liberty in our age. And to know that we all belong in that quest.
—Heather Hower, Director of Digital Media Services
COUNTDOWN TO 250 REVOLUTION IN VIRGINIA: BATTLE OF GREAT BRIDGE
This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Great Bridge, fought on December 9, 1775, near present-day Chesapeake, Virginia. A pivotal role in the early stages of the American Revolutionary War in the South, the battle ultimately led to the defeat of British authority in the largest and wealthiest colony.
In December 1775, Col. William Woodford, a patriot commander of the Virginia 2nd Regiment, prepared to defend Norfolk from the last Royal Governor of Virginia, John Murray, Earl of Dunmore. Both armies sought control of the causeway leading into Norfolk’s largest and most loyalist port city.
He understood the consequences of defeat by Dunmore’s forces. For months, Dunmore used all his resources to fulfill his duty to the King of England. Earlier on April 21, 1775, he took preemptive action against the patriots’ protests, ordering the Royal Marines to seize gunpowder from the public magazine in Williamsburg. Citizens protested his actions, and he responded with a threat to “declare Freedom to the Slaves and reduce the City of Williamsburg to Ashes.” Counterthreats prompted him to flee Williamsburg and sail to Norfolk, a loyalist stronghold.
By November, after light military conflicts, Dunmore fulfilled his threats to free the slaves by issuing a proclamation granting freedom to slaves of “rebel” masters. He formed the Royal Ethiopian Regiment and put the men under arms.
On December 5, 1775, Woodford’s officers captured and interrogated “George and Ned,” former enslaved men who had joined Dunmore in Norfolk, gaining knowledge about troop size, weapons, and capabilities. George indicated that “in the fort at the bridge about 30 Whites & 90 Blacks,” and “that all the blacks who are sent to the fort at the great Bridge, are supplied with muskets, Cartridges, &C and strictly ordered to use them defensively & offensively.”
In the early morning hours of December 9, Capt. Charles Fordyce launched his British regulars and loyalist troops into action, hoping to catch the patriots off guard as they advanced on the bridge. Beforehand, several patriot guards, including William “Billy” Flora, a free Black man, fired and then took cover. Flora remained near the bridge and returned several times, removing planks from the bridge to stop the British charge. Additional patriot forces arrived and unleashed a series of volleys that inflicted heavy casualties injuring and killing many British soldiers, including Fordyce. In less than an hour, Dunmore’s forces were defeated. To prevent attempts to recapture Norfolk for land-based operations, the patriots burned thousands of buildings in the city.
Dunmore retreated his position and sought to regain command of Virginia from his fleet of naval ships on the Chesapeake Bay. However, wherever his squadron sailed, they were attacked by patriot cannon fire. By August 1776, Dunmore sailed his ships out of Virginia, leaving the state under the control of Virginia patriots.
—Harvey Bakari, Curator of Black History and Culture
Billy Flora, regarded as the hero of the Battle of Great Bridge, is profiled in the “Liberty Fever” film, an immersive exhibit, and a personal story interactive. He is featured in the “Give Me Liberty: Virginia and the Forging of a Nation” VA250 signature exhibition opening July 1 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
calendar of EVENTS
Director’s Series: Rick Atkinson
NOVEMBER 19 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, join historian Rick Atkinson to discuss his award-winning Revolution Trilogy, “The British Are Coming: The War for America, Lexington to Princeton, 1775-1777,” followed by the second volume, “The Fate of the Day: The War for America, Fort Ticonderoga to Charleston, 1777-1780.”
Fresh Views of the American Revolution
DEBUTING AT THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN
OCTOBER 18, discover new perspectives on the ideals and legacies of the American Revolution through the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial, professional and student art, and engaging community art programs.
Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia
NOVEMBER 28 & 29 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT & AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, join in a family holiday tradition and dig into the foodways of 17th- and 18th-century Virginia. On November 30 during Museum Store Sunday, stock up on unique holiday gifts and get a 20% discount on total in-store purchases.
Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Porcelain in
Early Jamestown
OPENING NOVEMBER 15 AT JAMESTOWN
SETTLEMENT, and presented in partnership with the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, explore compelling archeological discoveries that connect the early years of the Jamestown colony to Asia featuring Chinese porcelain uncovered during excavations of the 1607 James Fort on Jamestown Island. A series of special events and programs accompany the exhibition.
Holiday Festivities
THIS WINTER AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT & AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN , from Candlelight Christmas on December 16 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to Christmastide in Virginia at both museums December 20 through December 31, enjoy the holiday season through period traditions. Closed Christmas Day.
Winter Lantern Festival
ACCOMPANYING “FOLLOWING THE DRAGON”
NOVEMBER 13 TO JANUARY 4 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, take in a festive evening spectacle of over 30 lanterns, entertainment, and family fun each week Thursday to Sunday, 5:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Black Artist Showcase
FEBRUARY 1 to MARCH 29 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, a two-month art exhibit connects the past and present through vivid intersections of contemporary art and 17th-century history. Black History Month features AFTER ANGELO ON FEBRUARY 21, with special performances and community conversation.
FREE ADMISSION FOR MILITARY Veterans Day • November 11
MORE EVENTS & PROGRAMS
Colonial Tea Ball • November 8 | “Appertaining to Rebels”: A Proclamation Play • November 14
Chinese Tea Talk • January 24 | Military Through the Ages • March 21-22
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.
Bowl, Jingdezhen, China, c. 1572-1620. Private collection, photo by Robert Hunter / Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation.
REPORT FY 25
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, 2025
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 Bernert III
• Ms. Frances C. Bradford
• Mrs. Donna P. Chapman
• Ms. Helen Zadarlik Cousins
• MG, USA (Ret.) Michael T. Harrison, Sr.
• Mrs. Barbara Hamm Lee
• Mr. William J. Longan, Jr.
• Mr. Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
• Mr. Fred W. Palmore III
• Mr. Burchell F. Pinnock
• Mr. Thomas H. Tullidge, Jr.
• Ms. Adria Vanhoozier
• Dr. William E. White
• Dr. Karin A. Wulf
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Board of Trustees
• Mr. Thomas K. Norment, Jr., Chairman
• Mrs. Sue H. Gerdelman, Vice Chairman
• Senator Mamie E. Locke, Secretary
• Delegate Delores L. McQuinn, Treasurer
• Mr. M. Kirkland Cox, Chairman Emeritus
• Mr. H. Benson Dendy III, Chairman Emeritus
• Mr. Kenneth R. Plum, Chairman Emeritus
• Mr. A. Marshall Acuff, Jr.
• Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr.
• Mrs. Laura W. Bailey
• Delegate Amanda E. Batten
• Mr. David Botkins
• Delegate David L. Bulova
• Ms. Jamie T. Burke
• Delegate Betsy B. Carr
• Mrs. Gloria Marrero Chambers
• Senator J.D. Diggs
• Mrs. Julianna M. Dime
• Mr. P. Thomas DiStanislao III
• Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears
• Ms. Suzanne O. Flippo
• Delegate Hyland F. Fowler, Jr.
• Secretary Aimee R. Guidera
• Mr. Terry E. Hall
• Delegate C.E. Hayes, Jr.
• Delegate M. Keith Hodges
• Mr. A. E. Dick Howard
• Mr. Charles E. James, Sr.
• Ms. Diane Leopold
• Senator Mamie E. Locke
• Senator L. Louise Lucas
• Senator Ryan T. McDougle
• Attorney General Jason S. Miyares
• Dr. Cassandra L. Newby-Alexander
• Ms. Leslie Sanchez
• Speaker Donald L. Scott, Jr.
• Delegate Shelly Simonds
• Delegate Luke D. Torian
• Senator Schuyler T. VanValkenburg
• Ms. Victoria L. Vasques
• Governor Glenn A. Youngkin
Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Senior Staff
Ms. Christy S. Coleman, Executive Director
Dr. Mariruth Leftwich,
Senior Director of Museum Operations & Education
Dr. Juliet Machie, Deputy Director/Senior Director of Administration
Mr. Coy M. Mozingo, Director, Human Resources & Professional Development
Mrs. Melissa Thompson, Chief Development Officer
Mrs. Glenda H. Turner, Senior Director of Marketing & Public Relations
Mr. Philip G. Emerson, Executive Director Emeritus
DIGITAL MEDIA STUDIO
Exciting Progress
on the Digital Media Studio
In 2024, the Cabell Foundation made a generous challenge grant of $250,000 to support construction of the Digital Media Studio at the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. In our FY24 Annual Report, we were pleased to share our first steps of raising $102,000 toward this match. A year later, we have fulfilled and exceeded this match with over $500,000 from generous donors—the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the Chrisman Foundation, Charles Menges and Penelope Kyle, Claiborne Robins, Ann Chinnis and the Carter Cabell Chinnis Foundation, Fred W. and Pamela Palmore, and G. V. Davis. With another $200,000 to raise to complete the project, we hope their generosity will inspire others to push us across the finish line.
This new studio designed to meet the Digital Media team’s needs will allow JYF to improve engagement with new audiences and the students, teachers, visitors, and partners we currently serve through multimedia gallery installations, virtual programming, online experiences, and social media.
This transformative opportunity shows our donors’ commitment to innovative and accessible approaches to history education and ensures that JYF staff have the tools needed to share our mission in our museums, across the Commonwealth, and across the nation.
BLOCKER FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PIER PROGRAMMING
When the Susan Constant left for repairs in June 2024, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation was confronted by a big hole in our programming. While the physical space on the pier left behind by the Susan Constant is a daily reminder of the ship’s absence, the programmatic space represents a different kind of gap. How would guests fully grasp these maritime concepts without being able to step on board JYF’s largest ship? Enter a grant from the Blocker Foundation, providing important supplemental programming to enhance the visitor experience while the Susan Constant is away. With this funding, a touchscreen monitor and speaker were installed at the pier to provide visitors with hands-on opportunities. Content includes video tours of the Godspeed and the Discovery, a slideshow of the restoration of the Susan Constant , and video of all three ships sailing.
JYF collaborated with Plimoth Patuxet Museums’ Marine Preservation and Operations team to secure a loan of a re-created Ship’s Boat—an open wooden workboat small enough to row that is like one that John Smith would have used. This compact boat, although not commanding the size of the Susan Constant , provides an important lesson, as its smaller size was ideal for navigating the shallow waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.
Finally, JYF interpretive staff built a new program that examines what was needed for an ocean crossing and to establish a colony so far from home. Interpretive signage and supplies for this program were provided by grant funds and give an important view not only into these commodities, but also burgeoning connections with Powhatan trade and the need for enslaved labor.
Ship’s Boat on loan from Plimoth Patuxet Museums.
A touchscreen monitor at the pier gives guests a first-hand look at the restoration of the Susan Constant and video tours of the Godspeed and the Discovery.
Innovative Education Programs
During the 2024-2025 school year, the JamestownYorktown Foundation educated over 200,000 students through on-site, classroom outreach and virtual outreach programming rooted in the Virginia Standards of Learning, and nearly 6,000 under-resourced students from Title I schools across the Commonwealth.
JYF educators were hard at work refining on-site and outreach programs to engage students in original ways. The Learning team introduced a new outreach program, “Digging into Archaeology,” which employs a hands-on activity simulating a real archaeological dig, teaching students how archaeologists interpret artifacts to learn about the past.
The Learning team also developed a groundbreaking history and civics education program designed for fourth graders. Piloted in Hampton City Schools, this three-part program integrates classroom outreach, on-site education, and virtual outreach to connect historical thinking with skills for civics participation in students’ own communities. Educational programs are supported by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, Carolyn Condon, the Camp family foundations, the Huston Foundation, and Langley Federal Credit Union.
Kenan Trust supports School Program Visits and Outreach
All students deserve high-quality education about the history of the place they call home.
Thanks to a $200,000 gift from the William R. Kenan Jr. Charitable Trust, the JYF education team can provide students from Title I schools throughout Virginia with crucial history and civics education. This generous funding will enable under-resourced students to experience unforgettable field trips, classroom outreach instruction and virtual distance learning firmly rooted in the Virginia Standards of Learning.
On field trips to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, students analyze primary sources and objects in the museum galleries, engage in interactive experiences in outdoor living-history areas, and participate in hands-on activities led by historical interpreters and museum educators.
Through outreach education, students learn standards-based concepts through reproduction artifacts and analysis of primary sources, all without leaving their school. Museum educators travel to schools across Virginia to provide outreach education or deliver it virtually.
By providing these programs free of charge to Title I Virginia schools, JYF ensures that the crucial need for in-depth history education is met, especially at a time when quality history education is urgently necessary.
An investment in Virginia’s students today is an investment in our future. We are deeply grateful to our partners who believe in our educational mission.
SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE
Twoweeks of learning. Two weeks of networking. Two weeks of professional development unlike any other. When Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation donors fund our Summer Teacher Institute, they are funding more than a few lessons—they are supporting an experience that will ultimately inspire students across the Commonwealth.
Teachers report:
“This was a truly profound educational experience.”
“The week’s experience was hands down the best professional experience I’ve ever had!”
“I feel much more confident going into my classroom and sharing real history. Thank you from an educator and the thousands of youth that will be positively impacted by this.”
At this year’s Institute, both elementary and secondary teachers explored the convergence of Powhatan, English, and West Central African cultures in early Virginia through dynamic programming—from sailing on the Godspeed to building a yehakin and wattle-and-daub wall to enjoying a cultural dinner. Teachers explored the world of 1607 and how Jamestown fits into the global story as well as the evolution of slavery in Virginia. A visit to Historic Jamestowne helped them understand archaeology while demonstrating a program they can re-create in their classrooms. Further, each teacher received a curated kit of reproduction objects and created dynamic classroom lessons that they will use to bring the stories of early Virginia home to their students.
The first week of learning was centered around a diverse group of 20 secondary school teachers from around Virginia. This year’s class included English, drama, and social studies teachers, along with a media and library specialist. This added a depth of knowledge and experience to conversations. For our second week of Summer Teacher Institute, JYF hosted 18 elementary school teachers from 13 Virginia school districts.
Teachers who participate in Summer Teacher Institutes at both Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are eligible to become Master Teachers. Launched in 2023, the Master Teacher program invites select Teacher Institute participants to offer their professional expertise to JYF year-round, providing our educational team with curriculum guidance that is guided by what is happening in classrooms now. This support works both ways, supporting teachers while also making sure that our programs never grow stale.
The Summer Teacher Institute and Master Teacher programs were funded by Paulette Blankinship, Wilma and Marc Sharp, Randy and Shelby Hawthorne, Audreal and John Chiricotti, the Abbitt Family Foundation and the Charles S. and Millicent P. Brown Family Foundation.
DONOR SPOTLIGHT
Bill White
Bill White has had quite the career in history, with a long career at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, a new role as the interim director of Jamestown Rediscovery and service on the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Inc.’s own Board of Directors. This may have been hard to imagine when he visited Jamestown Festival Park in the late 1950s with his parents or when he took his first job at Colonial Williamsburg in 1965 as a member of the Fifes & Drums corps. However, access to hands-on history has made such a difference to Bill and is something he wants to ensure that kids today get to experience as well. While he notes the importance of the connection with the Commonwealth’s history curricula, he knows that students’ real understanding of the concepts they are learning is tied to that “tactile connection.”
Bill’s past work in living history led him to work extensively with JYF’s Summer Teacher Institute and outreach and education programs and he is still a champion of those programs. However, he also recognizes the depth of quality across all of JYF’s programs—from interpretation to gallery curation to the work that goes into making sure facilities are looking their best. While many see the museums just for the day, Bill notes that one day does not allow a guest to see the true breadth
of the Foundation’s work. “JYF is a worthy enterprise,” he noted. “The Foundation is a good steward of resources. Making a gift is an investment in the future of our country and its people.”
“When I give, I hope that I’m contributing to the conversation about what the spirit of the experiment we call America is,” he said. “This kind of work is never going to happen unless people support it.”
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW AND PHILANTHROPY REPORT
Financial Overview: Fiscal Year Ending June 30, 2025
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 was $25.5 million, with $2.7 million from private philanthropy.
Philanthropy Report: July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
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
Individuals $1,359,954
Foundations & Organizations $978,634
Corporations $58,820
Local Government/Municipal
$272,000
Total $2,669,408
Purpose of Funds Raised Unrestricted
ANNUAL FUND IMPACT FUNDS
This past year we introduced Impact Funds —a new way for supporters to make a deeper, more personal connection to the work of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. These funds offer donors the opportunity to direct their Annual Fund gifts toward the areas of our mission that mean the most to them, whether it’s educational programming, exhibitions, acquisitions or a specific museum site. It’s our way of honoring the passions of our donors while advancing the stories and experiences that shape our shared history.
Acquisitions
Bring the past to life — one artifact at a time. Your support helps us grow our collection with meaningful objects that connect visitors to the real people ans stories of early America.
Educational Resources
Inspire curiosity and citizenship in students across the country. Your gift fuels hands-on learning, virtual programs, classroom outreach and teacher training that make history relevant and real for young minds.
Exhibitions
Help spark curiosity and connection through powerful storytelling. Your support brings compelling special exhibitions to life—each one offering fresh perspectives, untold stories and deeper insight into the people and events that shaped our history.
Jamestown
Support powerful storytelling about the early encounters between Indigenous, European and African peoples— moments that shaped the foundation of our nation.
Yorktown
Celebrate the spirit of independence. Your gift helps us share diverse and compelling stories of the American Revolution and the fight for a new nation.
Visit jyfmuseums.org/donate to make your gift and select your preferred Impact Fund from the dropdown menu.
GIVING LEVELS
The 1607 Society: Leading with Purpose
Named for the year of Jamestown’s founding, The 1607 Society recognizes donors who make annual gifts of $1,607 or more to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Inc.’s Annual Fund. These visionary supporters provide the majority of philanthropic funding for the Annual Fund, making possible the engaging exhibitions, unforgettable student experiences, and powerful storytelling that define our museums.
More than donors, The 1607 Society members are champions of history—helping connect people of all ages to the stories that shaped our nation.
As a member of this premier giving society, donors enjoy:
• Free admission to both museums.
• 10% discount in the museum stores.
• Subscription to INSIDE JYF, our tri-annual magazine.
• Early access and preferred invitations to museum events, such as exhibition openings, lectures and behind-the-scenes opportunities.
Lead the Way with a Leadership Gift
BENEFACTOR
($5,000-$9,999)
Donors enjoy full access to the benefits of The 1607 Society, along with 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-the-scenes tours.
Leadership-level donors form the cornerstone of our philanthropic community. Their extraordinary generosity fuels the very best of what we do—from expanding educational programming to deepening civic understanding for the next generation of citizens.
With the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence just around the corner, your support has never mattered more. Join The 1607 Society and take your place among those who are not just remembering history— they’re making it.
For more information on The 1607 Society, please contact Heather Minty, director of the Annual Fund at (757) 253-4052 or heather.minty@jyf.virginia.gov.
DONORS $5,000 AND UP
$5,000 to $9,999
Rick and Beth Andrews*
Russ Andrews*
W. Ronald and Elizabeth A. Andrews*
Douglas W. and Cynthia Arnold*
Lawrence A. and Amy Bernert*
S. Jane DeSolms*
Mrs. Margaret Cavitt*
Micki and Dan Chapin*
John H. and Audrael M. Chiricotti*
Roger W. and Judith E. Cross*
Rear Admiral (Ret.) Thomas J. and
Mrs. Jennifer L. Eccles*
John A. and Sara Fogarty*
Conrad M. Hall*
Randall S. and Shelby M. Hawthorne
Bryce Hinsch and Sharon Willoughby*
Mr. and Mrs. Lowell E. Jacoby*
Paul D. and Tammy Koonce*
Diane Leopold*
Mr. Ted Mittler and Ms. Marcia Liebel*
Mr. and Mrs. William J. Longan Jr.*
Everett P. Lunsford*
Mr. and Mrs. Joseph W. Montgomery*
National Association of Manufacturers
Margaret Piacentini*
Rouse-Bottom Foundation*
Richard W. and Josephine M. Schatzel*
Williamsburg Area Arts Commission
York County Arts Commission
$10,000 and Up
Carolyn S. Abbitt*
Bentley R. Andrews*
Jane K. Awalt+
Linda T. Baker*
Mr. and Mrs. Scott Blankinship*
Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation, Inc.
Camp-Younts Foundation
Don and Debra Carlson*
Carter Cabell Chinnis Charitable Trust*
The Chrisman Family Foundation
Carolyn T. Condon*
Mr. Vietor Davis, Jr.
Dominion Energy, Inc.*
Mr. John Estes and Mrs. Norma Horner*
Sue H. Gerdelman*
Terry E. and Patti L. Hall*
Hampton Roads Community Foundation
The Huston Foundation
James City County
Jane T. Kaplan*
William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust
Caddy R. Meekins+
Charles Menges and Penelope Kyle
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation*
Elis Olsson Memorial Foundation
Fred W. and Pamela Palmore*
James D. and Pamela J. Penny*
Burchell F. Pinnock, FAIA, NOMA*
Mr. and Mrs. E. Claiborne Robins, Jr.*
Leopold A. and Carol L. Schmidt*
Wilma R. and Marc B. Sharp*
Norbert F. and Mary Ellen M. Smith*
Thomas H. and Cathryn B. Tullidge*
Ms. L. Kay Wilkinson
York County
*Annual Fund
CADDY MEEKINS: A LASTING GIFT TO THE MATHEWS LEGACY SOCIETY
The late Pete and Caddy Meekins loved the sea, and they were strong believers in the importance of education and knowledge of history. Pete, who passed away in 2019, and Caddy were long-time supporters of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and members of the Mathews Legacy Society. Upon Caddy’s death in 2024, their bequest supporting the Foundation’s Maritime Endowment was realized.
Established to recognize individuals who have committed planned gifts to the Foundation, the Mathews Legacy Society is named in honor of Nick and Mary Mathews. This GreekAmerican couple emigrated to the United States, where they achieved success through hard work and dedication. In 1972, they donated 23 acres of real estate overlooking the York River, laying the foundation for what would become the Yorktown Victory Center, now known as the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, and bequeathed the remainder of their estate to JYF.
They included a generous bequest in support of the Maritime Endowment. This endowment provides funding for JYF’s three re-created ships, designated by the General Assembly as the official fleet of the Commonwealth. It includes support for maintenance and repair of the Susan Constant , Godspeed and Discovery; outreach visits to coastal communities; crew training; maritime education programs; and allows for the sailing program to expand, grow and thrive.
A Lasting Impact on Education and History
The Mathews Legacy Society plays a crucial role in sustaining JYF's educational initiatives. Planned gifts, like the one from Caddy Meekins, provide long-term support for programs that engage visitors and students in the rich tapestry of early American history. By contributing to the society, donors help ensure that the stories of America's beginnings continue to inspire and educate for generations to come.
Caddy Meekins: Continuing a Legacy of Giving
Pete and Caddy Meekins were Mathews Legacy Society members who followed in the Mathews’ footsteps. Their relationship with JYF began in the 1980s, when Pete held an important volunteer role during the Godspeed ’s 1985 sail from England to Virginia. The Meekins were generous donors to the Annual Fund and to the maritime program during their lifetimes.
The Meekins' donation is a reminder of the profound impact one family's dedication can have on preserving history and fostering education. Through their generosity, the legacy of Nick and Mary Mathews endures, inspiring others to contribute to JYF’s mission. As the Foundation continues to tell the stories of America's founding, the Mathews Legacy Society remains a cornerstone of its success.
Every unforgettable field trip. Every teacher inspired. Every student who sees themselves in the story of America. It all starts with YOU. Your support of the Annual Fund powers the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s mission to make history come alive — through hands-on learning, classroom outreach, distance learning, and teacher training that reaches learners across Virginia and beyond. As we prepare for the 250th anniversary of the nation’s founding, your gift helps ensure the next generation understands where we’ve been — and is ready to shape where we’re going.
History matters. Education matters. And it all starts with YOU.
Make your gift today at jyfmuseums.org/donate or call (757)
