Fort Monroe in Hampton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Cultural Connections

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

1. The Cultural Connections Marker

Inscription.

The Cultural Connections. . The African Landing Memorial site is designated as a UNESCO Site of Memory on the Slave Route Project and recognizes the 1619 landing at Fort Monroe, then known as Point Comfort, of the first documented enslaved Africans in Virginia. Where the lighthouse stands today a picketed fort perched, protecting the colony from other European nations engaged in colonization. It served as a bustling port controlling ships sailing between Chesapeake Bay colonial settlements. It is hard to imagine the uncertainty, challenges, suffering and fear of the unknown endured by the first Africans brought here against their will in August 1619., We know some of the Africans names and that their expertise in agriculture contributed to the survival of the English colonists. The large granite blocks situated throughout the plaza are sourced from quarries near Lubango, Angola, representing individuals brought on the White Lion. The exact number of enslaved Africans brought on the ship is unknown however, a March 1620 Virginia census recorded 17 women and 15 men. When you run your hands across these stones you are touching Angola., The Memorial's granite Line to Angola is precisely aligned with the Port of Luanda, Angola. As you stand and cast your eyes towards the water you are creating the connection across the Atlantic between the United States and Angola. The line's finish reflects the sun and the moon, highlighting the everlasting human spirit to thrive linking people in Africa and North America., The inlaid pattern in the plaza reflects an Adinkra symbol from Africa-Sankofa. It is a mythical bird which means in Kwi to "go back and get it." With its feet firmly planted and its head turned backward, the Sankofa shape encourages elders of all ages to reach back, bringing lessons from the past forward to shape a better future for all., While the trees planted in the plaza are native to Virginia, each species has a similar counterpart in West Central Africa. Would the Africans arriving on this shore have noticed similarities between Virginia's Live Oak (Quercus Virginia) and Africa's Iroko (Milicia Excelsa)? Would the sight of a Black Tupelo (Nyssa Sylvatica) along the Point Comfort dune-line remind them of home and the African Barwood (Peterocarpus Erinaceus)?, For more information, visit 1619landing.org or scan the QR Code. , For more information on Angolan culture scan the QR code. , For more information on the UNESCO designation, scan the QR code.

The African Landing Memorial site is designated as a UNESCO Site of Memory on the Slave Route Project and recognizes the 1619 landing at Fort Monroe, then known as Point Comfort, of the first documented enslaved Africans in Virginia. Where the lighthouse stands today a picketed fort perched, protecting the colony from other European nations engaged in colonization. It served as a bustling port controlling ships sailing between Chesapeake Bay colonial settlements. It is hard to imagine the uncertainty, challenges, suffering and fear of the unknown endured by the first Africans brought here against their will in August 1619.

We know some of the Africans names and that their expertise in agriculture contributed to the survival of the English colonists. The large granite blocks situated throughout the plaza are sourced from quarries near Lubango, Angola, representing individuals brought on the White Lion. The exact number of enslaved Africans brought on the ship is unknown however, a March 1620 Virginia census recorded 17 women and 15 men. When you run your hands across these stones you are touching Angola.

The Memorial's granite Line to Angola is precisely aligned with the Port of Luanda, Angola. As you stand and cast your eyes towards the water you are creating the connection across the Atlantic between

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the United States and Angola. The line's finish reflects the sun and the moon, highlighting the everlasting human spirit to thrive linking people in Africa and North America.

The inlaid pattern in the plaza reflects an Adinkra symbol from Africa-Sankofa. It is a mythical bird which means in Kwi to "go back and get it." With its feet firmly planted and its head turned backward, the Sankofa shape encourages elders of all ages to reach back, bringing lessons from the past forward to shape a better future for all.

While the trees planted in the plaza are native to Virginia, each species has a similar counterpart in West Central Africa. Would the Africans arriving on this shore have noticed similarities between Virginia's Live Oak (Quercus Virginia) and Africa's Iroko (Milicia Excelsa)? Would the sight of a Black Tupelo (Nyssa Sylvatica) along the Point Comfort dune-line remind them of home and the African Barwood (Peterocarpus Erinaceus)?

For more information, visit 1619landing.org or scan the QR Code.
For more information on Angolan culture scan the QR code.
For more information on the UNESCO designation, scan the QR code.

Erected 2026 by Fort Monroe Foundation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

2. The Cultural Connections Marker

When completed, a multi-part sculpture will stand on the plaza immediately north of the marker. Many of the cultural landscape connection components (ground inlay, granite stones, landscaping) as described in this marker have already been installed.

• Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1619.

Location. 37° 0.066′ N, 76° 18.425′ W. Marker is in Hampton, Virginia. It is in Fort Monroe. It is on Fenwick Road east of Engineer Lane, on the right when traveling east. Marker is along the seawall immediately south of the African Landing Memorial plaza. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Monroe VA 23651, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Peninsula

and in Coastal Virginia.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Sculpture (a few steps from this marker); The Movement of a Legacy (a few steps from this marker); Fort Monroe History (within shouting distance of this marker); Old Point Comfort Light (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named First Africans in Virginia (about 300 feet away); Jefferson Davis Memorial Arch (about 500 feet away); "Ruth Window" (about 500 feet away); Notable Locations in the Hampton Roads (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Other markers no longer nearby. Fort Monroe Seawall History (was a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); Engineer Wharf (was

African Landing Memorial Plaza image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

3. African Landing Memorial Plaza

The inlay and the Angolan stones described in the marker are already in place, as well as landscaping.

a few steps from this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Fort Monroe Seawall History (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing); First Africans in Virginia (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

African Landing Memorial image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

4. African Landing Memorial

Dedicated in April 2026, the memorial's sculptures will be installed in stages between 2026-29. The initial install includes landscaping, ground inlays, and granite blocks. The Cultural Connection interpretive panel is the second one from the left, by the seawall in the background left of the frame.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.