2019 Commemoration ~ 2016 Progress Report
2019 will be an extraordinary year of four major Virginia
anniversaries of national importance. Since the 2013
Session, when the Virginia General Assembly designated
the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation as the lead
executive branch agency to develop planning systems
to support the 2019 Commemoration, a Steering
Committee, co-chaired by Senator Thomas K. Norment,
Jr. and Delegate M. Kirkland Cox has been developing
strategies to promote the key themes of democracy,
diversity and opportunity.
The 2019 Commemoration will commemorate the
400th anniversary of the first representative legislative
assembly in the New World, arrival of the first recorded
Africans to English North America, observance of the
first official English Thanksgiving in North America, the
arrival and expanding impact of women on the Virginia
Colony, and, the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of
the Virginia Colony.
The 2019 Commemoration Steering Committee will
launch a series of programs and events of national and
international significance to build awareness of Virginia’s
role in the creation of the United States and reinforce
Virginia’s position as a global leader in education,
tourism and economic development.
During 2016, significant milestones were accomplished to
advance commemoration planning, including:
•
The formation of a governance structure was completed with more than 125 Virginians
accepting appointments to develop commemoration concepts. As a result, elementary,
secondary and post-secondary education programs, nine signature events and nine legacy
projects were approved by the Steering Committee for further development.
•
The Virginia General Assembly appropriated key funds to build awareness, develop
technology-enriched educational products, create statewide community outreach
programming, and build a small staff to support partner outreach and contract management.
•
The 2019 Commemoration was officially launched with the observance of African Arrival
Day at Fort Monroe on August 20. The event was organized in partnership with the City of Hampton, Fort Monroe Authority and the
National Park Service and included a variety of activities and interpretive programs. Key partnerships were established to support early
awareness building, signature events and legacy projects for the
commemoration.
•
The AMERICAN EVOLUTIONTM brand, logo and website were
developed, tested and launched. The logo reflects the 400 years of
Virginia influence and impact on the United States and the enduring
opportunities to engage all generations in our democracy.
•
A sponsorship framework and the 2019 Commemoration’s private fundraising efforts were
launched at a special event at the State Capitol on October 25. A total of $1.7 million in
private funding to support the commemoration was pledged in 2016 with Dominion
Resources, Inc. stepping forward as the first Founding Partner and Altria as the first Virginia
Colony Partner.
• Efforts to engage the United Kingdom began on September 7 during a meeting with Sir Kim
Darroch, British Ambassador to the United States, at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Planning Accomplishments:
2019 Steering Committee
The 2019 Steering Committee, co-chaired by Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr. and Delgate
M. Kirkland Cox, oversees 11 committees and is comprised of 43 leaders from across the
Commonwealth representing public and private sectors. Under the direction of the steering
committee, these committees met 30 times in 2016 to formulate programs and events for
the 2019 Commemoration. Leadership and highlights include:
Resources & Logistics Committee
George Keith Martin, Chair, and Paul D. Koonce, Vice-Chair
This committee develops and leads the comprehensive funding strategy, including corporate,
foundation and government support, as well as establishes the external positioning of
the commemoration. The committee also identifies and develops plans to address major
logistical and technology needs.
Programs & Events Committee
The Honorable Jeanne F. Zeidler, Chair, and Frank B. Atkinson, Vice-Chair
This committee oversees development and implementation of the programs and events
strategy, supports partnership engagement, and develops communication strategy across
sectors. Additionally, the Programs & Events Committee oversees five thematic committees
dedicated to advising the development of programs and events for the commemoration.
First Representative Legislative Assembly Committee
The Honorable G. Paul Nardo and The Honorable Susan Clarke Schaar, Co-Chairs
Signature event concepts and legacy projects developed include:
• International Forum on Representative Government hosted by the
Virginia General Assembly and the National Council of State Legislatures
• Global Emerging Leaders’ Summit in partnership with Presidential Precinct
• 1618 Great Charter Commemoration with the British Parliament
• Madison Scholars conference and publication in partnership with James
Madison’s Montpelier
First Africans to English North America Committee
Cassandra Newby-Alexander, Ph.D., and Jacquelyn E. Stone, Co-Chairs
Signature event concepts and legacy projects developed include:
• First Africans in Virginia: Impact and Legacy Special Exhibition in partnership
with the Virginia Historical Society
• 1619 The Making of America Conference in partnership with Norfolk
State University and Hampton University
• Remembering Jamestown II Conference and publication in
partnership with the Virginia Council on Churches
• Renovation of the Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center in
partnership with the Fort Monroe Authority
Impact of Women Committee
The Honorable Barbara J. Comstock and
The Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple, Co-Chairs
Signature event concepts and legacy projects developed include:
• Women’s Monument on Capitol Square
• 400 Years of Women’s Impact Conference
• March to Mother’s Day social media campaign
First English Thanksgiving Committee
H. Graham Woodlief, Chair
Signature event concepts and legacy projects developed include:
• Customs, Culture and Cuisine Festival featuring the Virginia
Thanksgiving Festival in partnership with the Greater Williamsburg
Chamber and Tourism Alliance, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation,
Jamestown Rediscovery and the National Park Service
• “The First Official Thanksgiving” documentary
Entrepreneurialism & Innovation Committee
Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr. and The Honorable James D. Duffey, Jr., Co-Chairs
Signature event concepts and legacy projects developed include:
• Virginia: America’s Original Start-Up featuring the Tom Tom Founders Festival
• Millennial Colony Project
The committees also developed additional legacy projects that encompass the three
themes of diversity, democracy and opportunity as well as the historical events: the American
Evolution digital trails project, Jamestown Settlement gallery refresh and special exhibition,
Jamestown Rediscovery archaeological projects and exhibition, American Indian Film Festival,
and “America in 1619: The Year Before the Pilgrims” documentary.
Sponsorship Program
State Capitol Event Marks Beginning of Corporate
Sponsorship Initiative
Hosted by Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell,
the 2019 Commemoration corporate sponsorship program was unveiled
on October 25 at the State Capitol with more than 130 representatives
from commemoration committees, partners and corporations.
Dominion Resources Becomes First Founding Partner
with $1.2 million Contribution
During the October 25 corporate sponsorship event, Dominion Resources
presented the 2019 Commemoration with a contribution of $1.2 million
to support events and projects marking the 400th anniversary of key events
in the founding of America. Dominion is the commemoration’s first
Founding Partner, and a portion of its generous contribution will support the
Fort Monroe Visitor and Education Center, a commemoration legacy project.
Paul Koonce, CEO of Dominion Generation Group,
presents a sponsorship check from Dominion
Resources to commemoration leadership
Jeanne F. Zeidler, H. Benson Dendy, III and
George Keith Martin.
Altria Becomes First Virginia Colony Partner with
$500,000 Contribution
Altria has become the commemoration’s inaugural Virginia Colony Partner,
designating its contribution for democracy-themed events of the 2019
Commemoration.
Partnership Engagement
The 2019 Commemoration has partnered with organizations across the
Commonwealth of Virginia to develop programs and events designed to
bring awareness to the historical events of 1619 and the commemoration’s
key themes of democracy, diversity and opportunity. Formal agreements and
various program partnerships with more than 30 organizations were formed
in 2016. For a full list of partners, visit www.AmericanEvolution2019.com.
Educational Programs
Educational program material is being developed for elementary, secondary
and post-secondary levels to increase knowledge and understanding of
the significance of historical events in 1619 and their relevance to our
national history and our individual lives today. In collaboration with the 2019
Commemoration education team and Programs & Events Committee, WHRO is producing
an initial series of innovative videos that connect the historical events of 1619 with state
and national educational standards. These videos will be distributed to educators nationwide
through a number of digital platforms.
Through partnerships with two- and four-year public and private post-secondary institutions,
the commemoration will emphasize the relevance of history to students’ lives.
Tourism Promotion
A major partnership with the Virginia Tourism Corporation has been established to increase
visitation during the commemoration period. A 13 Colonial Capital Tour is being planned
to promote Virginia, the 2019 Commemoration and destinations across the state.
2016 Programs & Events
African Arrival Day Officially Launches 2019 Commemoration
The 2019 Commemoration was officially introduced on August 20 at Fort
Monroe with the observance of African Arrival Day. Partnering with the
City of Hampton, Fort Monroe Authority and the National Park Service, the
2019 Commemoration presented a variety of educational and informative
events. The opening ceremony included Governor Terry McAuliffe, 2019
Commemoration Co-Chairs Senator Thomas K. Norment, Jr. and Delegate
M. Kirkland Cox, U.S. Representative Robert C. Scott, Hampton Mayor
Donnie Tuck, and featured speaker Roland S. Martin, national journalist
and author. Jamestown Settlement’s Godspeed, one of the official ships
of the fleet of the Commonwealth, journeyed to Hampton on August 19
and provided public tours for several hundred visitors. On August 20, the
Godspeed was positioned offshore from Fort Monroe to fire the cannons
for the official 2019 Commemoration launch.
Documentary Showcases First Thanksgiving in English North America
Sponsored by the 2019 Commemoration, the Community Idea Stations,
the Virginia Historical Society and the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival
premiered “The First Official Thanksgiving” on October 25 at the Virginia
Historical Society to 325 attendees. The half-hour documentary shares the
story of Captain John Woodlief’s 1619 journey from Bristol, England, to
a site today known as Berkeley Plantation. The group’s charter required
top: Governor Terry McAuliffe gives remarks at
African Arrival Day.
that the day of arrival be observed yearly as a “day of thanksgiving.”
middle: The 2019 Commemoration Steering
Committee is chaired by Senator Thomas K.
Norment, Jr. and Delegate M. Kirkland Cox.
Additional screenings sponsored by the 2019 Commemoration were held at
bottom: Speaker William J. Howell addresses
attendees at a capitol briefing during the
corporate sponsorship program.
at the Jamestown Settlement during the Foods and Feasts event. The
the Kimball Theatre in Williamsburg and in the Robins Foundation Theater
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival, held on November 6 at Berkeley Plantation
in Charles City County, attracted more than 3,000 participants and
featured vendors, educational activities, a reenactment of the first
English Thanksgiving in British North America and demonstrations by the
Chickahominy Tribal Dancers. The 2019 Commemoration staffed a booth
during the event to build awareness.
Research
The 2019 Commemoration commissioned a benchmark survey to gauge initial awareness of,
familiarity with, and consideration of commemoration events among millennials. Conducted
by the Southeastern Institute of Research (SIR), the study reached millennials 18 and over,
living in Virginia and outside Virginia but within the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s market
area.
The study revealed that the majority of respondents, regardless of state of residence,
view Virginia as integral to the formation of the United States although awareness of
1619 history is relatively low. The research suggests that familiarity with the history of
1619 events planned by the 2019 Commemoration would significantly increase the likelihood of millennial attendance. Based on these results, SIR recommended that the 2019
Commemoration focus initially on Virginia millennials to build awareness followed by
milliennials outside of Virginia.
Contractors Selected to Bring
2019 Commemoration to Scale
Numerous contracts utilizing both public and private sources were
awarded in 2016 to accelerate commemoration planning. Contractors
were utilized for the following: brand development and logo design,
program and event development and sponsorship framework and sales,
event planning, website design, public relations, millennial strategy and
statewide engagement, media asset collection and graphic design.
Building A Unique Identity for a Unique Series of Events
The 2019 Commemoration Steering Committee announced the official commemoration
logo in July. The AMERICAN EVOLUTION™ logo is depicted with a transformational red,
white and blue “compass rose to star and stripes” illustration. Collectively, these graphic
elements communicate discovery, democracy and innovation.
The official 2019 Commemoration website (www.AmericanEvolution2019.com) was
launched. It is designed to engage stakeholders while supporting education, tourism and
economic development initiatives developed for the commemoration.
2019 Commemoration
Steering Committee
The Honorable M. Kirkland Cox, Co-Chair
The Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr.,
Co-Chair
Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr.
The Honorable L. Ray Ashworth
The Honorable Levar M. Stoney
The Honorable William J. Howell
The Honorable Dietra Y. Trent
The Honorable Riley E. Ingram
The Honorable John C. Watkins
The Honorable S. Chris Jones
The Honorable Mary Margaret Whipple
Mr. Reginald N. Jones
Mr. H. Graham Woodlief
Professor Ervin L. Jordan, Jr.
The Honorable Jeanne F. Zeidler
The Honorable Barry D. Knight
Mrs. Kathy J. Spangler, Executive Director
Mr. Frank B. Atkinson
Mrs. Nancy Robertson McNerney
Mr. Terry E. Brown
The Honorable Stephen D. Newman
Mrs. Nancy N. Campbell
The Honorable Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
The Honorable Eric I. Cantor
The Honorable Ralph S. Northam
Mr. John T. Casteen III
The Honorable Kenneth R. Plum
The Honorable Barbara J. Comstock
The Honorable Frank M. Ruff, Jr.
The Honorable Stuart W. Connock
The Honorable H. Benson Dendy III
The Honorable James D. Duffey, Jr.
The Jamestown-Yorktown
Foundation Board of Trustees
Mr. Clifford B. Fleet III
The 2019 Commemoration is a sub-agency
of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation
Mrs. Sue H. Gerdelman
The Honorable H. Benson Dendy III, Chair
Ms. Kym A. Hall
Ms. Suzanne O. Flippo, Vice Chair
Mr. Colin M. Hood
The Honorable Janet D. Howell, Secretary
Dr. James P. Horn
The Honorable M. Kirkland Cox, Treasurer
The Honorable S. Chris Jones
The Honorable L. Ray Ashworth,
Chairman Emeritus
Professor Ervin L. Jordan, Jr.
Ms. Bobbie G. Kilberg
Mr. Paul D. Koonce
The Honorable Donald W. Lemons
The Honorable Mamie E. Locke
Mr. George Keith Martin
Mrs. Dorothy McAuliffe
The Honorable Ryan T. McDougle
The Honorable G. Paul Nardo
Dr. John R. Nelson
Dr. Cassandra Newby-Alexander
The Honorable G. Glenn Oder
The Honorable Mitchell B. Reiss
The Honorable Susan Clarke Schaar
The Honorable Christopher P. Stolle
Ms. Jacquelyn E. Stone
The Honorable Terence R. McAuliffe
The Honorable Ryan T. McDougle
Dr. Warren M. Billings
Mrs. Anne Geddy Cross
Mr. Paul D. Koonce
The Honorable Stuart W. Connock,
Chairman Emeritus
The Honorable Christopher P. Stolle
Mr. Fred D. Thompson, Jr.
The Honorable Dietra Y. Trent
The Honorable R. Lee Ware, Jr.
Mrs. Judy F. Wason
Mr. Philip G. Emerson, Executive Director
2019
Commemoration
Sponsors
Lead Sponsor – Commonwealth of Virginia
Mr. A. Marshall Acuff, Jr.
Chief Stephen R. Adkins, Sr.
Founding Partner – Dominion Resources
Virginia Colony Partner – Altria
Mr. Frank B. Atkinson
Mrs. Anedra W. Bourne
Mr. John T. Casteen III
Mr. J. Peter Clements
Mr. Timothy P. Dykstra
Mr. Clifford B. Fleet
Mrs. Sue H. Gerdelman
The Honorable Thomas A. Greason
The Honorable John H. Hager
The Honorable Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
The Honorable Mark R. Herring
The Honorable Daun S. Hester
2019
Commemoration, Inc.
Sponsors
2017 Priorities
The 2019 Commemoration, in partnership with notable Virginia institutions and organizations, is committed to
showcasing the Commonwealth of Virginia as a leader in education, innovation, economic development and tourism.
The commemoration team has established seven performance-based goals for 2017:
1. Secure lead corporate sponsors.
2. Advance British engagement strategy.
3. Launch a comprehensive education program.
4. Launch a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy with measurable results.
5. Finalize the 2017-2019 schedule of programs and events, and execute group tour promotional efforts.
6. Plan and launch a regional sponsorship activation program including the 13 Colonial Capital Tour.
7. Make significant progress on each signature strategy to include statewide engagement, legacy projects,
national programs and key partnership initiatives.
2017 Scheduled Events
The 2019 Commemoration will continue the
implementation of exciting, innovative and
educational opportunities in 2017. Upcoming
events include:
February 23
Dr. Linda Heywood book signing “Njinga of
Angola: Africa’s Warrior Queen,” Jamestown
Settlement
March 2-4
Virginia Forum, Norfolk State University
March-June
Virginia Arts Festival, Norfolk
March 1-May 14
March to Mother’s Day Digital Campaign
April 10-16
Tom Tom Founders Festival
Charlottesville
November 5
Virginia Thanksgiving Festival, Charles City
Join the 2019 Commemoration
Join us in commemorating these historic
events that helped shape our nation and
continue to influence our future. For details
on events and how you can play a key role,
contact us:
[email protected]
P.O. Box 1607, Williamsburg, VA 23187
757-253-4219
www.AmericanEvolution2019.com
Published January 2017