Revolutionary Hampton Community Day at Hampton History Museum (Hampton )

Enjoy free museum admission, explore our special exhibit “Revolutionary Hampton: Journeys of Freedom” to hear the local story of independence from the people who lived it!
Discover your “revolutionary self” with the launch or our new interactive game! Get “in touch” with the past with hands-on activities for all ages.

Tour the Hampton History Galleries and meet presenters and historical interpreters relating Hampton’s past from the “Sea to the Stars,” including stories of early settlement, the arc of freedom, the Contraband, Human Computers, and the Space Race! Sleuth out a secret message to discover clues as you time travel through the museum to find a prize!

Check Out All You Can See And Do!
Revolutionary Hampton Community Day will turn the Hampton History Museum into a fun, family-friendly place where history comes alive. Visitors of all ages will be able to do more than just learn about the revolution in Hampton: they’ll get to touch, play, and take part in it through hands-on activities, costumed interpreters, storytelling, and surprises throughout the museum. By mixing learning with fun, we’ll inspire families, spark curiosity, and help people feel connected to Hampton’s history.

10 am – Coffee with a Curator
Grab a cup and join us for an open, casual conversation with today’s museum professionals. Explore the modern challenges, questions, and innovations shaping museums today, from community storytelling and curation to technology and preservation. It’s your chance to connect, ask questions, and see how history meets the present.

2 pm – “Road to Revolution” with Museum Educator Kris Peters
In 1774 Virginia was the largest, wealthiest, and one of the most loyal colonies.  By the fall of 1775 Virginia was in open rebellion.  This presentation will examine the chain of events that lead to the opening of hostilities at the Battle of Hampton and its various legacies.

4 pm – Revolutionary Period Dance with Rachel Icard
Come learn English country dance from the Revolutionary period with with professional dance mistress, Rachel Icard. This workshop goes beyond just steps, offering a glimpse into the cultural and social significance of dance during the Revolutionary Age. All experience levels are welcome.

Fun Children’s Activities throughout the day–and all free!

• Stamp Making– Using playdough and imprints kids will simulate Revolutionary stamp making
• Tricorn Hat Making – Design your own tricorn hat using stickers, markers, crayons
• Satchel Making – Construct your own personal revolutionary satchel with fabric and ribbons
• Unraveling the Declaration of Independence – Come translate the Declaration of Independence from cursive to modern print and learn to write in 18th century cursive.

Interpretive Stations
Interpretive stations will be throughout the galleries where you can experience the Revolution through diverse stories of real people who lived it!

Take Self Guided Walking Tours!
Explore Hampton’s history at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour. These tours allow you to follow pre-planned routes to delve into local history, architecture, and culture. Pick up our maps and tour routes in the museum’s lobby and embark on your own walk through the past!

“Revolutionary Hampton” is sponsored by HamptonVA250 and the Hampton History Museum Association.