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

The Movement of a Legacy

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

1. The Movement of a Legacy Marker

Inscription.

The Movement of a Legacy. . Welcome to the African Landing Memorial, a site that commemorates a momentous event that impacted the history of this nation and forever challenged the concepts of freedom and democracy., In 1619 a Portuguese ship, São João Batista, sailed for Veracruz, Mexico with 350 enslaved Africans taken from the region near present day Angola that included the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Ndongo. After stopping in Jamaica, the ship was attacked by two English privateers - White Lion and Treasurer. Both ship captains seized a portion of the human cargo and set sail for a safe haven. After weathering a storm, the White Lion landed at Point Comfort, in August 1619 with close to thirty women and men where they traded for supplies. They were the first documented Africans brought to Virginia in English-speaking North America., This one-of-a-kind sculpture and site will commemorate a singular moment that reverberates through the fabric of more than 400 years of American history, the landing of the first Africans in Virginia in August 1619, at Point Comfort. The memorial site and future art reflect the true narrative of the events leading to the creation of the institution of slavery in what later becomes the United States. Collectively, the memorial, supported by interpretive and educational programs, provides and opportunity for national and international audiences to openly discuss together their pasts to foster a new understanding of the nation's beginning., Together, the Fort Monroe Authority, the Fort Monroe National Monument, partner organizations and members of the descendant community envision a place where people can come from around the world. As individuals or groups, the hope is that they will reflect on the history, stories, and contributions of Africans and their descendants in this new world through demonstrated examples of survival, resistance, perseverance, and ingenuity., For more information, visit 1619Landing.org or scan the QR code. , For more information on the UNESCO designation, scan the QR code.

Welcome to the African Landing Memorial, a site that commemorates a momentous event that impacted the history of this nation and forever challenged the concepts of freedom and democracy.

In 1619 a Portuguese ship, São João Batista, sailed for Veracruz, Mexico with 350 enslaved Africans taken from the region near present day Angola that included the Kingdom of Kongo and the Kingdom of Ndongo. After stopping in Jamaica, the ship was attacked by two English privateers - White Lion and Treasurer. Both ship captains seized a portion of the human cargo and set sail for a safe haven. After weathering a storm, the White Lion landed at Point Comfort, in August 1619 with close to thirty women and men where they traded for supplies. They were the first documented Africans brought to Virginia in English-speaking North America.

This one-of-a-kind sculpture and site will commemorate a singular moment that reverberates through the fabric of more than 400 years of American history—the landing of the first Africans in Virginia in August 1619, at Point Comfort. The memorial site and future art reflect the true narrative of the events leading to the creation of the institution of slavery in what later becomes the United States. Collectively, the memorial, supported by interpretive and educational programs,

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provides and opportunity for national and international audiences to openly discuss together their pasts to foster a new understanding of the nation's beginning.

Together, the Fort Monroe Authority, the Fort Monroe National Monument, partner organizations and members of the descendant community envision a place where people can come from around the world. As individuals or groups, the hope is that they will reflect on the history, stories, and contributions of Africans and their descendants in this new world through demonstrated examples of survival, resistance, perseverance, and ingenuity.

For more information, visit 1619Landing.org or 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 • Arts, Letters, Music • Colonial Era • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is August 1619.

Location. 37° 0.068′ N, 76° 18.435′ 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.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, April 21, 2026

2. The Movement of a Legacy Marker

The Memorial Plaza (incomplete - sculptures to be installed in stages between 2026-9) is at left.

At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Cultural Connections (a few steps from this marker); Fort Monroe History (a few steps from this marker); The Sculpture (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named First Africans in Virginia (about 300 feet away); Old Point Comfort Light (about 300 feet away); Jefferson Davis Memorial Arch (about 400 feet away); Notable Locations in the Hampton Roads (about 500 feet away); "Ruth Window" (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hampton.

Other markers no longer nearby. Engineer Wharf (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); Fort Monroe Seawall History (was here, next to this marker but has been confirmed missing); a different marker also named Fort Monroe Seawall History (was a few steps from 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).

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 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 9, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.