2026 SPRING MAGAZINE DIGITAL

INSIDE JYF SPRING 2026

from the

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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elcome to 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution! Across Virginia and at our two history museums, special things are happening to celebrate this American milestone.

As a commemorative partner of the VA250 Commission, the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is proud to collaborate with historical organizations across the state to honor Virginia’s legacy in the forging of our nation.

From signature events and exhibitions to unique travel itineraries and merchandise, we are ready to welcome visitors to mark this pivotal moment in American history. We are launching a new membership program to enable communities and new audiences to enjoy JYF as often as they would like.

This year, INSIDE JYF explores “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” – the trifecta of inalienable rights that Thomas Jefferson outlined in the Declaration of Independence. The founding generation and those that followed used these ideas to expand those words’ meaning and how to make them real for all.

In this issue, read about how events at Jamestown paved the road to revolution in 1776 and beyond, with the growing ideas about rights and freedoms. Discover the impacts of the Declaration on everyday people, from the interactions with Indigenous peoples to homespun efforts of manufacturing of goods.

We also celebrate our successes as an educational institution with the tremendous achievement of reaccreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.

As we turn the page to a new year, we remain grateful for the expertise of our board members, loyalty of our donors, and dedication of our staff and volunteers that bolster our critical work to make American history meaningful and relevant.

Now, let’s celebrate!

Christy S. Coleman Executive Director

INSIDE JYF

EDITORS Stephanie Johnson Tracy Perkins

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT Joan Heikens Janet Kane Lianne Koch DESIGNER Holland Winslow STAFF CONTRIBUTORS Harvey Bakari, Elizabeth Bostelman, Brian Forrester, Constance Graham, Heather Hower, Mariruth Leftwich, Lisa Lucas, Deana Ricks, Melissa Gill Thompson, Glenda Turner, Meghan van Joosten WRITERS/PHOTOGRAPHERS Anne Marie Baker, Morgan Culbertson, Aniya Espey, Travis Henline, Dexter Johnson, Gretchen Johnson, Janet Kane, Homer Lanier, Mariruth Leftwich, Lisa Lucas, Sally Meyer, Heather Minty, Alexandra Powell, Sarah Raiford, Konstantin Rega, Michael Taylor, Catherine VanDyke, Dan Uptmor 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 6, No. 1—printed February 2026 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

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table of CONTENTS About the Cover

How did the American Revolution impact the daily lives of ordinary people – men, women, and children? As citizens of the British Empire, American colonists were consumers and, to boycott imported goods, the homespun movement became one of the earliest forms of political protest. At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, discover how farm interpreters bring this homespun history to the forefront, turning curiosity about objects like a spinning wheel or loom into a broader conversation about wartime necessities, personal choices, division of labor, and the global economy.

Image by Michael Taylor

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Virginia 250 Passport A collaborative initiative inspires travel across 70 historic sites and museums for America’s 250th anniversary.

People of the Past Education programs, from personal stories to classroom resource kits, get a boost from a Library of Congress grant.

Commemoration Between history and nostalgia, examine how anniversaries are a time of reflection to understand the present.

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Worlds Transformed

“A Good Day for Trade,” a painting by Robert Griffing, Courtesy of Paramount Press.

The Declaration of Independence advanced “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for American colonists, but it did so within a landscape in which Indigenous peoples had long been required to adapt to the social, political, cultural, and economic consequences of European colonization. Read about the revolution’s impact on Native nations and how their societies evolved, including the story of the Fort Christanna trading post, now featured in the permanent gallery at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

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AAM Gold Star The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation receives high marks with reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums.

Membership Program A new membership program launches access to year-round museum visits, discounts, and exclusive experiences.

Museum Shops From hand-dipped candles to handblown glass, view unique merchandise of the 18th-century homemaker.

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WORLDS TRANSFORMED

Indigenous Life in the Eighteenth Century The Declaration of Independence advanced “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” for American colonists, but it did so within a landscape in which Indigenous peoples had long been required to adapt to the social, political, cultural, and economic consequences of European colonization.

By the beginning of the American Revolution, Native nations had experienced decades of change as interactions with European colonists Fort Christanna. Credit: John Kincheloe continually reshaped their societies and compelled them to repeatedly adapt and adjust to everchanging circumstances. Colonial traders brought new, novel materials and technologies to exchange with tribal peoples which transformed their lives in a number of ways.

As their populations grew, colonists continually pushed further into tribal territories, encroaching on Indigenous lands and forcing migrations and diasporas. Intercultural interactions brought about assaults on traditional Native belief systems while epidemic European diseases ravaged Indigenous populations. To survive, tribes were often impelled to create new amalgamated societies out of the shattered remnants of former ones.

One of the best examples of creative adaptations to the forces tribes faced can be found in the story of Fort Christanna, now featured in the permanent gallery at the

American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

Built in 1714 as a trading post and for the defense of Virginia’s borders, Fort Christanna’s history represents a microcosm of the circumstances affecting all Indigenous peoples in the eastern woodlands.

Among the most transformative of those was the development of the fur trade economy.

The Virginia Indian Company established Fort Christanna as the colony’s principal trading post in the early 18th century. Leather shortages in Europe had created a high demand for American deerskins while fashion trends concurrently created a robust market for other animal pelts, like the highly valued beaver. Native hunters traded their animal skins with colonists for a host of new materials such as firearms and ammunition, metal tools, cooking pots, clothing, blankets, jewelry and adornments, among other items. At least 23 tribes from three different language groups are documented to have conducted trade at the fort. The fur trade revolutionized Indigenous lifeways, politics, and relationships with the natural world in several ways. While trade goods were initially a convenience that made life easier, over the course of the century they increasingly became a necessity. Traditional Native skills and economic autonomy steadily decreased as reliance on the new materials grew. Colonial powers utilized access to trade

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“A Good Day for Trade,” a painting by Robert Griffing, Courtesy of Paramount Press, shown above. Below, an early 18th-century list of trade goods and exchange rates illustrates the value of exchange rated per pound of “drest Deer Skins.”

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In the 18th century, Indigenous families from different tribes often joined together to create new communities. Shown is “Family,” a painting by Robert Griffing, Courtesy of Paramount Press.

goods as a political and foreign policy instrument to control tribes as military allies and buffers, which became paramount considerations during both the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

Indigenous societies also were reshaped through warfare, displacement, and exposure to European diseases for which they had no immunity, often leaving them vulnerable to attack from colonists and other tribes.

After experiencing losses to their people and lands, for example, the “king” of the Saponie tribe petitioned the Virginia Governor’s Council for the colony to take them under protection as a “tributary tribe.” Governor Alexander Spotswood strongly encouraged their tribe and

others facing similar circumstances to relocate to Fort Christanna for their safety and to participate in the trade economy. There, within a “musket shot” distance from the fort, the remnants of the Saponie, Occonechee, Tottero (Tutelo), Stuckanocks, Meipontski, and Cheraw coalesced to create the new multi-tribal, multi-ethnic town of “Chunkete Posse” (horse head) seeking to reestablish community and a sense of stability. In keeping with the elastic concept of “nationhood” that many Native peoples had developed, they formed a new society combining families and cultural traditions. Although from several different peoples, the Virginians soon began to refer to them collectively as “Saponie.”

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Similar to other colonial assimilation and acculturation policies developed for various tribes during the period, Governor Spotswood had additional motives in convening the tribal groups at Christanna. From its inception, the Governor insisted that a school be constructed at the fort to Christianize and educate Indigenous youth.

The Reverend Charles Griffin was hired to teach tribal children English and convert them to the Christian faith.

At its height, the school had over 100 students.

Conversion and education were not the only motives.

On a few occasions Spotswood referred to the students as “hostages,” kept to ensure the tribes complied with English demands. Like other acculturation attempts at the Brafferton Indian School at the College of William and Mary and those at Harvard College, the Christanna school represented a Nicknamed “Old Spotswood,” this original cannon was used for the defense of Fort Christanna and is now disruption in cultural part of a new exhibit at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. continuity for the children With each change in circumstance, the tribes combined and an assault on their traditional beliefs. with others in attempts to re-create some sense of For nearly 30 years, the multi-tribal community lived, community. The story of how their lives were transformed hunted, and traded at Fort Christanna. Pressure from by displacement, adaptation, and adjustment serves as growing English settlements to the east combined with an example of the creative endurance that many tribes raids from other tribes from north and south eventually employed during the 18th century to navigate a rapidly forced the tribes into another diaspora. Beginning in the changing world.

1730s, some went south among the Catawba while a few others joined the Monacan in western Virginia. Many from the tribes went north and were adopted into the Cayuga tribe only to later move into Canada during the American Revolution.

— Travis Henline, Curator of Indigenous History and Culture

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JAMESTOWN AND THE LONG ROAD TO REVOLUTION

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n many ways, the history of the American Revolution begins with the settlement in Jamestown, providing the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation opportunities to explore and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence at both museums.

Jamestown Settlement visitors walking along the English street scene in the main gallery may notice the looming figure of Queen Elizabeth I, the last ruler of the House of Tudor and the namesake of the colony of Virginia.

Jamestown Settlement visitors explore an English streetscape in the permanent Her death without galleries. an heir in 1603 led to the reign of the House of Stuart (1603-1714), beginning with King James I/VI, with Stuart monarchs ruling over England and her colonies until 1714, shaping the development of Virginia and lighting the slow-burning fuse that ultimately exploded into American revolution in 1775.

Growing ideas about rights and freedoms in 17th-century Virginia helped pave the road to revolution. When Sir William Berkeley arrived as colonial governor in 1642, for example, he supported the repeal of a poll tax that funded some of his income as the Crown’s representative. He believed that neither the governor nor his Council could impose taxes without the consent of representatives in the Virginia Assembly. Berkeley also supported the law passed by the General Assembly in 1647 that declared that no law could be established in England for the colony without the consent of the Assembly. Governor Berkeley’s promotion of no taxation without representation and the power of local authorities became implanted in colonists’ minds as the 17th century progressed.

Beginning in 1651, Parliament passed a number of Navigation Acts to increase profits from the colonies.

These laws required all Virginia tobacco to be shipped to England and only in English ships, effectively forbidding free trade. The Acts angered colonists because they could

get better prices by trading with other English colonies and with Dutch merchants. After the 1650s, these acts were in effect but rarely enforced until Parliament looked to the colonies to help offset the economic impact of the French and Indian War (1756-1763). Just as they angered 17th-century colonists when they first took effect, 18th-century patriots saw the acts as significant parliamentary overreach, undermining their rights as British subjects.

The decades under Stuart rule also shaped evolving ideas of power and leadership. While English delftware plate with the the monarchs believed cipher of Queen Anne, ca. 1707-1714. that royal authority Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation. derived from the will of God, Parliament increasingly objected to authoritative use of power. In mid-1688, Protestant leaders invited William of Orange and his wife Mary, James II’s eldest, Protestant daughter, to come to England with an army and assume the throne. This “Glorious Revolution” was relatively bloodless in nature and in 1689 encouraged the English Declaration of Right and John Locke’s “Two Treatises of Government,” which together inspired America’s founders.

The Declaration of Right outlined limits on royal authority and affirmed the rights of Parliament, helping to shift the justification for government from divine right to popular sovereignty. Locke’s works were the first to outline a government’s responsibility to protect life, liberty, and property. By the 18th century, Thomas Jefferson and other founders were familiar with these works, from which they drew ideas about how to govern a nation.

After almost a century of Stuart rule, Virginia had gradually established institutions and beliefs that, in the 18th century, ultimately helped push patriotic colonists towards independence.

—“Reign & Rebellion” Special Exhibition, 2022-2023

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Take a Historic Journey Across 70 Destinations for America’s 250th Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are signature sites in a new Virginia 250 Passport program, a collaborative, statewide initiative that encourages Virginians and visitors to explore and experience history together during America’s 250th anniversary by visiting the Commonwealth’s foremost historic sites and museums.

The Virginia 250 Passport program, supported by the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission (VA250) and the Virginia Tourism Corporation, launched in November by the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) in partnership with JYF, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, and Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello.

The Virginia 250 Passport is available for free at signature sites, VMHC, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, Monticello, and Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown — as well as at the VA250 Mobile Museum, select VA250 events and all 12 Virginia Welcome Centers, each located at gateways along interstate highways.

The Virginia 250 Passport, a 64-page commemorative booklet that serves as a travel guide, discount book, and keepsake, features descriptions of

The Virginia 250 Passport invites travelers to explore 70 museums and historic sites across the Commonwealth.

the 70 participating museums and historic sites across five regions of the Commonwealth: Central Virginia, Northern Virginia, Shenandoah Valley, Southwestern Virginia, and Tidewater.

each passport site. Once they have secured a stamp in their passport, they can receive up to a 15-percent discount at future participating locations that charge admission.

"The 250th Passport is another reminder of the extraordinary historical assets we have in Virginia.

It also reflects the cooperative spirit these organizations share with each other and the public we dutifully serve," said Christy S. Coleman, JYF executive director.

Collecting at least five stamps makes them eligible to enter the prize drawing. Prizes will be drawn in December 2026 and include yearlong museum memberships and cash awards up to $2,500.

Throughout 2026, travelers can collect unique stamps while visiting

Learn more about the Virginia 250 Passport and other 250th museum events and exhibits at jyfmuseums.org/250.

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Learning History Through the Lives of People of the Past “My students love hearing stories of everyday people from the past. It gets them excited about learning history.”

— A sixth-grade teacher

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hen Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Master Teachers shared that their students connected to history through stories of ordinary people, it inspired JYF staff to develop a new educational resource full of personal stories of the 17th and 18th centuries, as well as multiple workshops for teachers.

“People of the Past,” a new educational resource made possible by a grant from the Library of Congress, introduces students to individuals who both shaped and were impacted by the events

taking place around them in early America. By combining their stories with primary sources from the JYF collection, Library of Congress, and Library of Virginia, among others, students can explore the challenges people faced, the decisions they made, and their impact then and now.

The “People of the Past” resource is designed to build critical thinking, analysis, and historical argumentation skills. These “thinking like a historian” skills are enumerated in the 2023 Virginia Social Sciences Standards of Learning to help students build historical empathy and see history and the world around them through the multiple perspectives of others.

The resource also includes readings designed for students in different grades and reading levels.

Beyond the online resource, which will expand to include other people and stories, “Woven Through Time” teacher professional development workshops are being presented virtually and in person. These workshops are designed to assist

teachers in utilizing the resource and incorporating primary sources across the curriculum.

In the 2025-2026 school year, four virtual workshops focus on “People of the Past” stories. These hour-long programs connect stories of diverse people through such topics as the tobacco economy, cultural convergence, resistance and rebellion, and leadership and resilience.

In January, an in-depth, in-person professional development weekend at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown allowed teachers to dive deeper into “People of the Past.”

Focusing on the three cultures that converged at Jamestown and pivotal events and concepts of the American Revolution, 30 teachers explored these personal stories while learning strategies to incorporate primary sources in the classroom. A highlight of the program was a session with Laurie Halse Anderson, award-

winning author of student fiction, such as “Forged,” “Chains,” and “Ashes.”

More than 100 teachers from 11 states and the District of Columbia applied to attend the professional development opportunity. Among the reasons teachers cited for wanting to attend the program, one stated that these “resources fit my goal to make history more engaging and meaningful… and help students confidently engage with primary sources.” Another teacher noted that he wanted to use the resources to help his students “see that their own struggles and worries are not unique to them today.”

— Anne Marie Baker, Teacher Programs Manager — Catherine VanDyke, Education Resource Specialist

History Makers Dinner Boosts Education Programs On September 27, Jamestown Settlement hosted the History Makers Dinner, an exclusive after-hours event highlighting the education programs that donors make possible through their generous gifts. Throughout the evening, guests had the opportunity to experience hands-on education demonstrations led by museum educators. From handling replica artifacts, such as quill pens and the first paper money used during the revolution, to exploring JYF educational resources, donors had the opportunity to sample just some of the work that goes into educating thousands of students and teachers in the Commonwealth and beyond. In 2024-2025, JYF education programs served 198,484 learners through student educational experiences and teacher professional development sessions at both museums and in outreach settings, reaching 107 of Virginia’s 134 school districts and 13 states.

The workshops and online resources are funded through a generous grant from the Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources, which supports the shared goal to help students develop critical thinking and analysis skills through the exploration of primary sources.

Visitors to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown can engage with the Personal Stories of the American Revolution interactive, which features 19 historical accounts of people of the past (and one dog) who share their perspectives through video stories and artifacts.

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THE FOUNDATIONS OF FREEDOM

Life and Liberty in the Declaration of Independence

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n 1776 the Declaration of Independence was heavily influenced by Enlightenment thinkers. This period, beginning in the late 17th century, sparked conversations and debate about natural law, liberty, and the nature of government. These ideas would shape not only the revolution but the political and social identity of the nation for centuries to come. Central among these were the principles laid out in the Declaration of Independence: that “all men are created equal” and possess “unalienable rights,” among them “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This represented a bold challenge to the monarchical, aristocratic structures that dominated the 18th-century world. But in the spirit of the Enlightenment, these ideals left future generations with plenty of room for interpretation.

Even as these ideas offered a revolutionary vision, they emerged in a world marked by profound inequality. The same Americans who championed universal rights lived within a society shaped by rigid hierarchies and entrenched systems of privilege. Slavery was deeply woven into the economic and social fabric of the colonies.

Women were denied political voice and many basic legal rights. Indigenous nations were excluded from the political community entirely, and class distinctions influenced everything from education to landownership.

Thus, the ideals proclaimed in 1776 existed in tension with the lived realities of vast numbers of people.

These contradictions did not go unnoticed. Some contemporaries, including enslaved African Americans, free Black activists, and radical reformers, immediately seized upon the ideals of the Declaration to challenge

injustice. But for many, the gap between principle and practice would remain wide, prompting generations of Americans to grapple with how — or whether —t he nation could reconcile its promises with its institutions.

Over the next two centuries, the words of the Declaration served as a touchstone for political movements seeking to expand the boundaries of equality. Abolitionists pointed to the inconsistency between slavery and the doctrine of natural rights. Their moral and political efforts culminated in the Civil War and the passage of constitutional amendments intended to abolish slavery and secure citizenship and equal protection for formerly enslaved people. Likewise, women’s rights activists invoked the Declaration in arguing for suffrage and political equality, insisting that government by consent must include the voices of women.

As citizens’ understanding of words like “liberty” and “equality” evolve, so too does the debate of how we the people achieve these ideals. The legacy of a government that exists to serve the people led to people pushing for dismantling legal segregation and protecting voting rights, as well as movements to expand the rights of historically marginalized groups. It can be argued that we are still in the Age of Enlightenment because citizens are still debating the meaning and intent of ideas put forth by Locke and the paradox of Jefferson’s and other founders’ words and actions. While we celebrate the 250th, it is also a time to reflect on the shared responsibility to not just honor but to understand the ideals contained within the words.

— Alexandra Powell, Lead Learning Facilitator

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At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, view an early broadside of the Declaration of Independence printed in Boston soon after the Declaration was adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. JYF2009.12.

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— COM M EMOR AT ION— A look at the past to comprehend the present

“There is a difference between history and nostalgia, and somewhere in between the two is memory.”

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— Clint Smith “How the Word is Passed”

n the midst of the 250th commemoration of the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence, being able to understand the ways in which history is remembered is essential. We can acknowledge how fallible our individual memory is in our daily lives, but historians especially insist on having credible sources and documentation to prove their arguments while conducting research and writing.

Commemoration often lives in the same place as memory — between history and nostalgia. When looking to anniversaries to commemorate and celebrate the American origin story, we have an opportunity to not only analyze real events but also examine how we understand ourselves today.

Think about the stories of Betsy Ross and the American flag (an origin myth featured in “Fresh Views”), or Washington and the cherry tree.

Whether fact or fiction, these stories tell us more about our values as a nation. Of course, 2026 is the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The 250th anniversary of the Siege of Yorktown will be celebrated in 2031, followed by the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in 2037. These celebrations are a marathon, not a sprint.

As historians and educators, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation staff must consider the events of the war as well as the significance it holds to Americans today. With the special exhibitions, “Fresh Views of the American Revolution” and “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation,” along with related programs and events, the 250th provides an opportunity to look closely at the past and perhaps move forward with a better awareness of our place in history.

At the Yorktown Victory Center, which had its Grand Opening in 1976 as a Virginia Bicentennial Center and now known as the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, visitors enjoyed a walk through an exhibit called “Liberty Street.”

We can ask questions about our own understanding of history: What parts of the story have been left out? What has new research taught us about the motivations and choices the colonists had to make? Who were the founders really, as human beings and not just symbolic figures?

These are the questions that our museums’ exhibitions and programs in 2026 (and beyond) hope to answer.

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While considering what we want to accomplish over the next commemorative years, it’s impossible not to compare the upcoming anniversaries to those of the past, such as the 1976 Bicentennial. Unsurprisingly, many history museum employees and volunteers have vivid memories of the bicentennial and how they celebrated in school or with their families.

reappraisal of the principles on which the Country was founded; recommitment by every institution and individual.”

The commemoration was seemingly everywhere — from the “Bicentennial Minute” on television every night, to parades, re-enactments, commemoration site constructions, and more. Along with JYF benefactors, the late Nick and Mary Mathews, we have this fervor to thank for the construction of the Yorktown Victory Center, now the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

One historian who studies this phenomenon is M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska, author of “History Comes Alive: Public History and Popular Culture in the 1970s” (2017, University of North Carolina Press). Her book sets the record straight on how the 1976 Bicentennial arrived at a moment when people were already beginning to rethink their relationship with the past. It also dispels some of the myths surrounding the commemoration, taking a closer look at how national organizations were mired in internal conflict while smaller organizations and state commissions placed an emphasis on events and individuals important to the American Revolution.

— Sally Meyer, Director of Learning and Community Engagement

Today, our goals are not much different from the goals of the 1976 Bicentennial. Planning for this American milestone began as early as 1966 with the formation of the American Bicentennial Commission (ARBC), a legislative action signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Actually, early discussions did not focus on history, and the ARBC instead hoped to move “toward a time for

At its core, the opportunity to commemorate declaring independence from Great Britain is an opportunity to understand what our foundational values and ideals are as Americans — and how far those ideals have taken us in 250 years.

On National Commemorations and How We Do History Now: The Bicentennial, the Semiquincentennial, and What We Can Learn About the Future of the Past March 14 Jamestown Settlement, 3 p.m.

M.J. Rymsza-Pawlowska, interdisciplinary cultural historian of the 19th- and 20th-century United States and an associate professor of history and public history at American University, draws from her book on the 1976 Bicentennial as well as in-progress research about how Americans are engaging history now to explore and explain the way that national commemorations help to clarify, crystallize, and accelerate emergent trends in historical engagement. During the bicentennial, Americans became interested in more personal, immersive and interactive forms of history. How will the upcoming semiquincentennial reflect what history looks like now? The talk and Q&A session will explore the 1970s and how the time period shaped the operation of museums, historic sites, and more over the last 50 years. The program is included with museum admission.

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JYF achieves AAM Reaccreditation The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation has once again achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums.

Educational: “JYF has made a purposeful pivot in its storytelling, to capture the diverse narrative of two sites and two eras…”

It’s the gold star of the museum world, with less than four percent of the 33,000 museums nationwide holding this honor.

Collections Stewardship: “We saw a highly organized team with clear divisions of labor. JYF enjoys large, clean, well-organized storage and lab facilities… Museum curators have shared authority for the living-history function, which emphasizes the integrity of interpretation.”

The reaccreditation process, a thorough 18-month review, applauds the agency’s commitment to best museum practices, high professional standards, and excellence in education, conservation, and collections care.

At the heart of its mission, Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown strive to foster an understanding of the founding and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation.

“We are fortunate to have exceptional staff, boards, and volunteers who ensure our visitors have memorable experiences,” said Christy S. Coleman, executive director.

“We are most proud of achieving ‘Exemplary Practices’ citations in virtually every area reviewed.”

The final report by AAM peer reviewers praised JYF’s work across five categories.

Public Service: “Staff and visitors both build understanding through on-site experiences that connect to the physical reality faced by ancestors from three cultures.”

Planning: “Specific outcomes and system-wide performance monitoring help ensure the [strategic] plan is translated into action.”

Organizational Health: “JYF is an independent state agency working in tandem with two affiliate non-profit organizations to execute a shared mission. That might be a recipe for chaos or consternation, but our finding is the opposite.”

Overall: “We were struck by the clarity of vision that links the overall mission to the interpretive plan to the daily tasks; from the chief executive to the docent at the information desk, there seemed to be one sheet of music from which everyone sings.”

Godspeed set for Sail250 Virginia ®

Jamestown Settlement’s Godspeed will join Sail250® Virginia, an international fleet of tall ships and military vessels in June 2026 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding in 1776 – the United States of America’s Semiquincentennial.

The Godspeed, part of the “official fleet of the Commonwealth,” will take part in Sail VirginiaSM Affiliate Harbor events at the Sail Yorktown Festival, June 12–14 and Sail250® Virginia in Norfolk, June 19–23, offering opportunities to tour the re-creation of the merchant ship that sailed from England in 1606-1607.

Sail250® Virginia, a statewide maritime celebration across 12 localities in partnership with the VA250 Commission, is expected to welcome 77 tall ships and military vessels representing over 36 nations, along with 14,000 officers, cadets, and crew. The 10-day event is projected to draw more than 3 million visitors and generate more than $150 million in spending activity to the region.

On June 12–14, historic vessels will arrive at Sail VirginiaSM Affiliate Harbors — Alexandria, Hampton, Onancock, Richmond, Yorktown, and Smithfield/Isle of Wight — followed by additional ship visits and events June 18–23, in Virginia Beach, Cape Charles, Chesapeake, and Portsmouth.

Norfolk will host the international fleet on June 19–23, launching with the iconic Parade of Sail with a fleet of the world’s most magnificent international tall ships and military ships sailing into the port of Virginia as part of Sail250® America, following the tradition of the past five iconic OpSail events since 1976. The festival will encompass four days of ship tours, international crew events, maritime exhibitions, and waterfront activities, including concerts and fireworks.

Join in the maritime celebration at sail250virginia.com.

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INTRODUCING THE NEW JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM

A Fresh Way to Connect with History If you’ve been craving a different way to experience history, our new Membership Program is for you!

Through the new Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation Membership Program, you won’t simply observe history; you’ll have the opportunity to feel, to question, and to carry it forward. You’ll experience the stories of people — both famous and forgotten — who shaped the world we live in today. Our new JYF Membership Program gives you the chance to be part of the story.

Whether you’re a lifelong learner, a family seeking meaningful time together, or someone who believes in the power of the past to shape a better future, there’s a place for you in our membership community.

Open the Door to Discovery All membership levels include unlimited admission to both Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. From the Individual level at just $65 to the prestigious Executive Director’s Circle at $50,000, every member enjoys core benefits such as: • 10% discount at museum shops and cafés • A subscription to INSIDE JYF • Discounts and early access to lectures, programs, and special events

Where Membership Meets Meaning We’ve expanded our offerings to include exciting new perks that bring members closer to the heart of JYF’s mission. Starting at The 1607 Society level ($1,607), members receive: • Invitations to special programs and behind-the-scenes experiences • A quarterly e-newsletter with insider updates At higher levels, members enjoy even more exclusive opportunities, including: • Guest passes to share the experience with friends and family •A virtual State of the Foundation with the executive director • Complimentary tickets to our signature annual fundraising event

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Engage More Deeply with Our Mission The new Membership Program is more than a collection of perks — it’s a gateway to deeper connection and cultural curiosity. Inspired by JYF’s interpretive vision, our programs are designed to nurture belonging in the present through our shared past.

Membership support fuels: • Educational experiences that expand the borders of the classroom • Living-history programming that brings the past to life for visitors of all ages • Acquisition of important artifacts for galleries • Special exhibitions and research that deepen public understanding of early American history

A Historic Moment: Join in Time for America’s 250th As we approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, there’s never been a more exciting time to become a JYF member. JYF is a proud member of the Virginia American Revolution 250 Commission, and both museums are taking part in the celebrations.

Special exhibitions, public programs, and immersive experiences are already underway, including: • “Fresh Views of the American Revolution” — an exhibition featuring the folk art of Oscar de Mejo created during the 1976 Bicentennial alongside engaging contemporary art • Events at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown that explore the diverse voices and pivotal moments of the Revolution • Coming in July 2026 — “Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation” highlights Virginia’s leading role in the American Revolution exploring the actions of both iconic and ordinary people By joining our new Membership Program, you can have unique insider access to these once-in-a-generation experiences. Your support can help us celebrate our collective history.

Join Us in Making History The new JYF Membership Program is more than a pass — it’s a partnership. It’s a way to deepen your connection to the stories that shaped our nation and to ensure they continue to inspire future generations.

Whether you’re renewing your support or giving for the first time, we invite you to explore the new benefits and find the level that’s right for you. Every membership strengthens our mission and brings history to life for thousands of visitors each year.

Interested in becoming a member? Visit jyfmuseums.org/ membership for more information and to join. You can also become a member by visiting a Visitor Services desk at either of our museums or calling the Development office at (757) 253-4139.

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Join the JYF Membership Program Today

Why Now?

Because History Is Happening The 250th anniversary of American independence is just around the corner, and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is at the heart of the celebration! From bold exhibitions to unforgettable events, there’s never been a better time to become a member.

Your All-Access Pass to the Past (and Future) With a JYF Membership, you’ll enjoy: • Unlimited admission to Jamestown Settlement & the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown • Early access & discounts on programs, lectures, and events • 10% off at museum shops and cafés • A subscription to INSIDE JYF

Can’t-Miss 250th Events and Exhibits • Fresh Views of the American Revolution – folk & contemporary art collide • Give Me Liberty: Virginia & The Forging of a Nation – Opening July 2026 • Special programs, family days, and behind-the-scenes experiences all year long!

Join Today. Because History Matters. jyfmuseums.org/membership or call (757) 253-4139 Or stop by the Visitor Services desk at either museum.

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DONOR SPOTLIGHT

KEITH DUBOIS For Keith Dubois, supporting the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is a family affair. Not only does her family foundation, the Charles S. and Millicent P. Brown Family Foundation, support the Summer Teacher Institute and Master Teacher Programs, the family has a long history of service to the organization as well.

Her grandfather was the state senator representing James City County, visiting with the Queen on her visit to Jamestown in 1957, and Keith herself has served two terms on JYF’s Board of Directors. She visited the museums every year as a child, and recounts long trips in the back seat, waiting for vacation to start. However, it was a trip as an adult with JYF’s outreach education team that showed Keith the impact she wanted to have.

“Education is the basis for everything,” Keith said.

“Kids can sit in a classroom and not get it. Learning has to be an action item.” In this outreach visit, Keith observed students involved in what was taught to them, engaging with the outreach educator in dynamic and exciting ways. “That’s why living history works,” Keith said. “They began to appreciate history in a whole new light after actually seeing it in action.”

The Brown Family Foundation’s commitment to the Summer Teacher Institute has been paramount for the program. Keith says it began as an opportunity to reach more kids, as she saw educating the teachers as “connecting the dots.” She knew that her mother and father had both been very supportive of educational opportunities, so funding teacher education was a sure thing. “It’s more important to us to fund people than buildings.”

When asked what she would say to a donor that was considering supporting JYF, Keith answered, “If you want to understand these museums, follow a school group and see it through their eyes.” Keith and the Brown Family Foundation have made many of those awe-stricken looks possible, and our museums are better for it.

—Morgan Culbertson, Director of Major Gifts

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Daily Life on the Farm

HOMESPUN ON THE HOMEFRONT L

ife is the first of the inalienable rights listed in the Declaration of Independence, but how did daily life change for the men, women, and children living here during the American Revolution?

As citizens of the British Empire, American colonists were consumers.

Almost all manufactured items came to the British North American colonies through Great Britain, including fabric.

Many products were consumable luxuries such as tea and sugar, but fabric was essential at every level of society. Throughout the 17th and 18th centuries, textiles were one of the largest imports to the colonies from England. Virginia, like her sister colonies, was to produce and send raw materials back to the mother country.

Large-scale industry for textiles was not only discouraged but unlawful and, in most cases, unnecessary. Boycotting was a primary way that Americans could have their voices heard, and these boycotts against British products led to shortages of goods such as fabric. While there were professional weavers here in the colonies, there were not enough to keep up with the demand of the American market when dealing with the shortages caused by embargoes and eventually the war. How would average people provide the necessary textiles for their families as well as support the cause of independence?

American women of all classes and races had the basic skills of spinning, knitting, and a little sewing. With boycotts looming, these skills were put to the test, as shown in an advertisement recruiting spinners in Dunlap’s Pennsylvania Packet, Vol. IV, No. 198, August 7, 1775: “...In this time of public distress you have each of you an opportunity not only to help sustain your families, but likewise to cast your mite into the treasury of the public good.”

Clothing promoting a political ideology, for example, was just as prevalent 250 years ago as it is today. Hunting shirts or knitted caps with slogans like “Liberty or Death,” or “Liberty to Slaves,” were common for men of the time, but what about women? One way the Virginia House of Burgesses chose to showcase their patriotism was by forming the Virginia Association. After being disbanded

by Lord Botetourt, they gathered at Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg and called on their fellow Virginians to “promote and encourage industry and frugality, and discourage all manner of luxury and extravagance.” The association resulted in the boycott of British fabric and a greater reliance on homespun. The boycott would have largely failed had the women of the community not agreed to participate. Free women might choose to display their patriotism in a subtle manner by wearing homespun garments. They held spinning parties and led knitting drives to provide stockings for the soldiers, but not all women could express their ideas so freely. How might have enslaved women felt about their mistress’s patriotism? Would she have viewed it as more work for

herself, or would she have imagined a way that this revolution built on freedom would extend to her and her family members kept in bondage?

At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown’s Revolution-era farm, living-history interpreters bring this homespun history to the forefront, turning curiosity about objects like a spinning wheel into a broader discussion about wartime necessities, personal choices, division of labor during the war, and the global economy. The homespun movement was one of the earliest forms of political protest for women in this country, and it showed how women’s economic and therefore political power had the ability to shape daily life.

—Gretchen Johnson, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown Living History Manager —Sarah Raiford, Revolution-era Farm Site Coordinator

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March 6 - May 18 Weaving together continents and centuries, “Outlander: Costumes Woven in Time” debuts March 6 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

In collaboration with Sony Pictures Television, the exclusive exhibition offers visitors an immersive exploration of the richly crafted world of the “Outlander” time-traveling drama through the acclaimed costume design of Terry Dresbach (Seasons 1-4). Visitors can view original gowns, kilts, and iconic outfits just as the final season premieres on STARZ. The exhibition is on display through May 18.

Dresbach hand-selected 26 of her original and legendary designs, curated especially for the museum exhibition, that bring each of the show’s characters to life. Visitors can gaze at Jamie and Claire’s wedding attire, study Claire’s bold red Versailles gown, and admire Brianna’s cross-century styles.

“I’m so excited that the remarkable scholars at the American Revolution

Museum at Yorktown have provided this opportunity to showcase the work we did on ‘Outlander,’” Dresbach said. “In putting together this exhibit, they’ve shown such a deep understanding of how costumes are an integral part of storytelling and convey so much about characters, their lives, and their world.”

“As I approached my job as costume designer, I was constantly asking myself questions,” she continued.

“Who are these people? What was their daily life like? What’s the history of their family? What was happening in the world they lived in? History is so much more than the listing of dates in a textbook. It’s the story of being human. This exhibit is a wonderful opportunity to examine our own lives and the history we create every day as we get dressed. I hope you enjoy the exhibit as much as I enjoyed doing the work behind it.”

As Season 8 premieres, the exhibition invites “Outlander” fans back to the series’ origins through this exclusive assembly of costumes and accessories highlighting how Dresbach’s meticulously researched, emotionally expressive designs became central to the show’s visual identity and storytelling.

This exhibition reveals how clothing becomes a powerful storytelling device, illuminating identity, class, culture, craftsmanship and the enduring interplay between past and present. Together, they chart a continuous history of how people express who they are, and who they might become, through what they wear.

Tickets for timed entry are on sale. Discover how to experience the “Outlander” costume collection at jyfmuseums.org/outlander.

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Exclusive Exhibition debuts in time for the STARZ final season premiere OUTLANDER PROGRAMS Behind the Seams Exhibition Tour March 6 & 26 • April 12 & 22 • May 7 & 14 This after-hours tour will give you the opportunity to examine costume pieces and accessories not on display in the exhibit and learn about details that are ordinarily out of view by audiences.

Woven in Time Dye Workshop April 25 Join living-history interpreters on the Revolution-era farm for an interactive workshop to experience how different fibers were dyed in the 18th century and take home a hand-dyed silk scarf.

Outlander Day May 16 Celebrate all things “Outlander” as the sounds of pipes and drums fill the air, march through the Continental Army encampment, and examine clothing styles of Jacobian rebels.

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Thoughtful and Useful items for the Virginia Homemaker in 1776 & 2026 “A man may work from sun to sun, but a woman’s work is never done.”

—Traditional adage

Wooden Butter Paddle

from Whestone Woodenware, Silver Lake, Indiana Butter paddles were used to scoop freshly churned butter into serving and storage containers. This replica butter paddle is handmade from kiln-dried hardwood maple, then polished and treated with mineral oil.

“Virginia Cider: A Scrumptious History”

by Alistair Reece and J. Mark Stewart Dig into the long history of cider in Virginia — the Old Dominion’s original craft beverage.

When the adventurers aboard the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery stepped foot on Virginian soil they brought with them the traditional English love of cider.

Required by statute to plant orchards, the apple played a central part in the development of the colony as its juice became the favored libation of every class of society. From the modest laborer to the table of Thomas Jefferson, cider was Virginia’s tipple of choice. More than 400 years later, cider is enjoying a renaissance.

Read about a new generation of makers re-introducing Virginians to their original craft beverage. Local author Alistair Reece, aided by the stunning photography of J. Mark Stewart, tells the story of cider in the Old Dominion.

Footed Mug from Deneen Pottery St. Paul, Minnesota

Created as part of the Historic Virginia Museums Collaboration to commemorate the semiquincentennial, this hand-thrown footed mug from Deneen Pottery is cranberry red and finished with their signature white foamy glaze. It features the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown logo in a raised relief panel. Dishwasher and microwave safe.

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Colonial Blend Ground Coffee Tin

from Oliver Pluff & Co. of Charleston, South Carolina In colonial times, coffee had strong competition from wines, liquors, and imported teas. Consequently, coffee was not widely consumed among colonists until their agitation against King George III arose due to the fateful tea tax. Coffee was supplied to the American colonies by trade from the East Indies (Sumatra), and the West Indies (islands of Haiti and Jamaica).

Colonial Blend Coffee is a tasty blend with fruity notes balanced by richer Sumatran black coffee flavors.

Green Handblown Beer Glass

from Jamestown Glasshouse, Jamestown, Virginia Handblown without any metals, this colonial green glass is crafted using traditional techniques at the Jamestown Glasshouse, Jamestown, Virginia.

Handmade items may have irregularities. Hand wash only.

Pure Beeswax Taper Candles

from Big Dipper Wax Works, Seattle, Washington Beeswax gets its wonderful natural color and honey-like fragrance from the pollen and nectar of the flowers the bees are pollinating. The color often depends on what particular crop the bees are pollinating. Dark berries, like blueberries or blackberries, derive much darker, browner wax. Clover, however, results in a brighter, golden tone.

• Beeswax is a product of the sustainable industry of beekeeping and is a completely natural renewable resource.

• Beeswax is the purest and least processed candle wax, containing only natural and healthful properties from the hive.

• Beeswax candles burn clean and soot-free, emitting air purifying negative ions.

• Beeswax candles burn dripless and radiate a natural, sun-like, spectrum of light.

These colored beeswax candles are created with eco-friendly dyes, never tested on animals, that do not contain hazardous solvents or additives such as naphtha or naphthalene. Big Dipper Wax Works candles are handmade, and the beeswax is never 100% consistent in shade, so there may be variations in color.

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LEAVING AN ENVIRONMENTAL LEGACY

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isitors to Jamestown Settlement’s galleries can now vote on which legacy from Jamestown’s founding they believe should inspire a JYF community action project. Choosing from the legacies of cultural diversity, environmental impact, or civic responsibility, 10,551 visitor votes determined that JYF’s first 2025 action project would support the local environment. In November 2025, the Community Engagement team and staff across the agency partnered with the James River Association for a community tree-planting event at the East End Branch of the Richmond Public Library. By expanding the tree canopy, trees can reduce stormwater runoff, improve local air quality, reduce urban heat, and establish wildlife habitats.

Gallery exhibits examine how the early years of the Jamestown colony were shaped by the environment.

Tree-ring data reveals that when Jamestown was established in 1607, they experienced the worst drought in 770 years, impacting water quality and food resources.

Tobacco cultivation later yielded profits but quickly depleted soil nutrients and required an ever-growing need for land and labor. This greatly impacted the environment as vast swaths of land were used for large-scale agricultural practices that led to displaced Indigenous peoples, deforestation, pollution, and forced labor, which left a long legacy.

Visitor voting will continue to shape JYF’s community projects, with votes tabulated on a triannual basis to inspire action based on Jamestown’s legacies. For more information, visit jyfmuseums.org/legacy.

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JAMESTOWN-YORKTOWN FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS Board of Trustees Two new members, Ann G. Baise and Anne Marie Morgan, were appointed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin in 2025.

Trustee, Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr., was reappointed to another term.

Ann Green Baise has dedicated her life to advancing education and strengthening communities across Virginia. Her commitment to learning and service led to her appointment as rector of Longwood University, where she championed initiatives to enhance academic excellence and student success. In 2012, Gov. Bob McDonnell appointed her to the William & Mary Board of Visitors, recognizing her vision and leadership in guiding one of the nation’s most historic institutions. Residing in Falls Church, Va., Ann exemplifies the power of lifelong learning and public service.

Anne Marie Morgan is an award-winning broadcast journalist with decades of experience covering Virginia politics and public affairs. Anne has served as news director and bureau chief for the Virginia Capitol News Network, and previously as State Capitol bureau chief for Virginia Public Radio and contributor to NPR. She taught journalism for 20 years at the University of Richmond, earning the Distinguished Faculty Award, and developed graduate courses at Regent University. She is chief editor of “Governing Virginia” and a former chair of the State Board for Community Colleges, overseeing 23 colleges statewide.

Inc. Board of Directors Three new members were elected to the private board in 2025.

Herbert Harvell “Bert” Bateman, Jr. serves as executive vice president of Business and Professional Banking at TowneBank. In 2024, he received the Outstanding Alumni Service Award from Hampton Roads Academy, honoring his decades-long dedication to education and community service. Bert also serves on the boards of WNRN Independent Radio Station and the Wason Center for Civic Leadership at Christopher Newport University, and frequently shares his expertise as a guest lecturer at the Luter School of Business and the Wilson Center for Leadership. A graduate of Hampden-Sydney College, he exemplifies a lifelong commitment to leadership, education, and community engagement.

Terry Emory Buntrock moved to Virginia when her family business, Buntrock Industries, Inc., relocated from Chicago to Williamsburg. Terry is a passionate advocate for the arts, contributing to regional development through roles in local Economic Development offices. She founded Triangle Arts & Culture League, Inc., a nonprofit organization that has invested more than $200,000 in public arts projects across the community. Her leadership and vision have extended to service on the boards of An Occasion for the Arts, Williamsburg Symphony, the Williamsburg Area Arts Commission, and the Cultural Alliance of Greater Hampton Roads.

In recognition of her commitment to the arts, Terry was appointed by former Gov. Ralph Northam to the Virginia Commission for the Arts.

A native of Lynchburg, Va., Helen Martin Bond Reveley earned a B.A. from RandolphMacon College. Her career has spanned education, science, and public service, including teaching at the American School in Lugano, Switzerland and holding positions at RandolphMacon Woman’s College, the Science Museum of Virginia, and on Capitol Hill as a staff member for Congressman Dawson Mathis. From 2008 to 2018, as First Lady of William & Mary, she was a dynamic presence on campus, championing student initiatives and fostering community engagement.

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calendar of EVENTS

Regarded as one of the most significant 21st-century exhibitions of ceramics from the early colonial period.

Following the Dragon: Chinese Ming Family Day: Porcelain in Early Jamestown ON DISPLAY THROUGH JULY 12 Tales of the AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, in partnership with Jamestown Dragon

Ladies for Liberty perform at Military Through the Ages.

Photo by Bob Ruegsegger.

Rediscovery, take a journey of discovery to witness a never-beforeassembled collection of rare porcelain featuring surviving pieces excavated from the 1607-1625 James Fort at Historic Jamestowne paired with intact parallels from English, Dutch, and American museums and private collections from across the globe.

MARCH 7 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, collaborate to build a community dragon, enjoy dance performances from community partners, and produce a simple dragon-themed, make-and-take art piece of your own.

Military Through the Ages Heist Night MARCH 21-22 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, make ready for centuries of history as military powers across time present an unequaled chronological display featuring hundreds of re-enactors as they demonstrate how uniforms, weapons, and tactics evolved through time.

APRIL 11 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, in partnership with the National Treasure Hunt podcast, enjoy escape room-style puzzles in the interactive environment of a murder mystery event rooted in history as teams crack clues, solve ciphers, and hack history to find the missing piece to a treasure hunt.

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Awakening Dissent: Religion, Revolution, and ON DISPLAY THROUGH SUMMER 2026 AT Legacy Symposium AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM OF YORKTOWN, in connection with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, view bold artworks from Oscar de Mejo to contemporary artists that inspire new reflections on the principles and ideals of this extraordinary time in history.

Dinner with Michael W. Twitty

MAY 29-30 AT AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, examine how religion influenced and impacted the American Revolution as religion scholars, museum professionals, and community members explore the role of religion and revolution in early America and connections to present day.

Supported by the Lilly Endowment’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative.

Juneteenth

JUNE 11 AT AMERICAN REVOLUTION MUSEUM AT YORKTOWN, on the eve of the 250th anniversary of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, join celebrity chef and James Beard award-winning author Michael W. Twitty for a curated feast based on cross-cultural insights from his cookbook, “Kosher Soul,” available online at shopjyf.com.

JUNE 14 AT JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT, celebrate this pivotal event prior to the June 19 national holiday and explore the precarious nature of freedom from 17th-century Jamestown to Juneteenth with guest speakers, musical performances, and hands-on activities.

Part of national Civic Season programs in partnership with Made

By Us.

MORE 2026 EVENTS & PROGRAMS Black Artist Showcase • February 1–March 29 | On National Commemorations • March 19 “Finding Edna Lewis” Documentary & Discussion • March 26 | Civic Season • June 19 – July 4 Museums open year-round 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Tours and ticket information available at jyfmuseums.org/visit or (757) 253-4838. Check out the complete calendar at jyfmuseums.org/events.

Portrait of Ayuba Suleiman Diallo, attributed to William Hoare, circa 1733. Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, JYF2014.4

Fresh Views of the American Revolution

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