Henricus Historical Park Commemorates 400th Anniversary with Year-Long Celebration Beginning in September 2010

CHESTER, Va., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --Henricus Historical Park announced today it will commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Citie of Henricus with a year-long series of events kicking off in September 2010. Founded in 1611 by Sir Thomas Dale, Henricus became the second successful English settlement in the "New World" and was established to replace the unhealthy environment of Jamestown. Leaders of Henricus developed the first English hospital, chartered the first college in North America, established tobacco as the first cash crop in Virginia, and created a place where Pocahontas lived and met John Rolfe. From September 2010 to September 2011, "The Year of Henricus" commemorative events will celebrate the founding of the Citie and historic milestones which took place at Henricus.

"Henricus Historical Park is an essential cultural landmark in the heritage and founding of the United States of America," said Charles Lewis Grant, acting executive director. "As a living history museum with period-dressed interpreters who offer 'hands on' demonstrations among recreated colonial structures, we are uniquely designed to honor this important milestone in history."

"The Year of Henricus" events include:

Publick Days: September 18-19, 2010

This event honors the founding of Henricus and includes living history reenactments, military drills and musket firings, craftsmen and blacksmiths, 17th-century medicinal demonstrations, Virginia Indian activities, historical children's games and crafts, storytelling and more.

Pocahontas, Rocke Hall and the Powhatan People: November 6-7, 2010

Learn about Pocahontas and her life under the guidance of Reverend Alexander Whitaker at his Rocke Hall home. Historical interactions will concentrate on the life of Virginia Indians during the European first contact period and will explore the historic events and cultural overviews of two groups with very different ways of life who lived in close proximity.

Henricus Colledge – First University Chartered in North America: March 26-27, 2011

This event covers the beginnings of the American education tradition. Topics will be primarily presented through lectures, discussions and exhibits. Highlights will include discussions regarding Sir Thomas Dale and the religious and political questions of the day. The Indian Attack of 1622 will be discussed, as it postponed the construction of a college until 1693 in Williamsburg.

Mount Malady – America's First Hospital: May 7-8, 2011

This event details the science and technology of 17th-century medical care. Medical procedures and practices will be discussed and demonstrated. Topics will include the influx of a new workforce in Virginia, the challenges these workers faced in their new environment and the science behind the medical treatment of their maladies.

Tobacco – First Successful Commercial Export: July 23-24, 2011

Learn about early colonial tobacco in the area and John Rolfe, who introduced Spanish tobacco to mainland America. Explore the lives of indentured servants and the arrival of Africans in the "New World" who worked the tobacco fields. Discover how agriculture and trade affected the economics, politics and everyday lives of 17th-century Virginians.

Publick Days and the Godspeed: September 17-18, 2011

This special event will feature 100 living history interpreters from around the country portraying both English colonists and native inhabitants of circa 1611 Virginia. Interpreters will occupy the English city, the Indian village Arrohateck, and the Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement, and will demonstrate the commercial, mechanical, agricultural, domestic, and military skills of both cultures as would have been observed between the years 1611 and 1622.

Henricus Historical Park is located on 32 acres along the scenic and historic James River in Chester, Virginia, only 20 minutes from Richmond. Open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., general admission is free for members and $8 for adults and $6 for children aged 3-12.  Indoor and outdoor facilities are available for rental. Henricus also features diverse multi-curricular education programs based on the State of Virginia's Standards of Learning (SOL) Guidelines for grades Pre-K–12. In addition, the park is surrounded by the 810-acre Dutch Gap Conservation Area consisting of diverse wildlife, woods and wetlands, including land and lagoon trails, a Blue Heron rookery in the marsh and a boat landing on the James River.

More about Henricus Historical Park:

Founded in 1611 by Sir Thomas Dale, the Citie of Henricus is the second successful English settlement in North America and will begin its year-long 400th commemoration in September 2010. Henricus Historical Park is a living history museum located within the Dutch Gap Conservation Area with Pre-K–12 education programs available to students and teachers and indoor and outdoor meeting and special event space available for rental. Henricus operates in partnership with the Henricus Foundation and counties of Chesterfield and Henrico. For more information about Henricus Historical Park visit www.henricus.org

SOURCE Henricus Historical Park