Welcome to Historic Tangier Island

Welcome to Historic Tangier Island. . , For almost 250 years the people of Tangier have wrested a living and a lifestyle from the waters that surround them. Most of their days have been occupied with family, work, church, and the other normal pursuits in which we all engage. But they have also been part of events that no other Virginians experienced before or since. , Because of its strategic location between the channels up and down the bay Tangier beach at the south end of the island was chosen as the base of operations for the British fleet during the war of 18 12. Fort Albion was constructed there and from there the British sacked and burned Washington D.C.. From there they unsuccessfully attacked Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry, during which our national anthem was written. But there also, hundreds of escaped slaves first trod solid ground as free men, women, and children, before either being trained as British Colonial Marines or being relocated to Nova Scotia, Bermuda, or Trinidad. , Tangier beach was host to quite different throngs of people when camp meetings were held there for 47 years. Surely hundreds, probably thousands of souls were converted to Christianity under the voices of the best preachers of the day, including that of Joshua Thomas, the “Parson of the islands.” Rev. Thomas was the driving force behind the annual gatherings and was asked to address the British on the beach the Sunday before they left to attack Baltimore. He told them they were wrong to do so and predicted their defeat. , In many ways, Tangier lsland is hallowed ground. Here lie the remains of some of the Native Americans who were banished here or used Tangier as hunting grounds. Here lie many of the sons and daughters of Tangier who so bravely served their country in the armed forces. Here rest the remains of British soldiers and sailors who dutifully served their country during the War of 18 12. Here is what remains of the soil upon which those African Americans first walked as free people. , So as you meander around our tiny island, enjoy this place we call home, and please keep in mind the unique and significant history of which Tangier island has been a part.