Indigenous Peoples utilized the abundant natural resources of the Virginia Beach area for thousands of years prior to the landing of the Jamestown settlers at Cape Henry in 1607. The Chesapeake Tribe occupied the Virginia Beach area in the late Woodland Period, but they were displaced by other Native Tribes around the beginning of the 17th century. The nearby Nansemond Indian Nation then occupied the area.
The Jamestown settlers made their First Landing in Virginia at Cape Henry in present day Virginia Beach on April 26, 1607. They explored the area for three days before heading inland as instructed.
Adam Thoroughgood (Thorowgood) is considered the founding settler having received a grant of 5,350 acres here and taking up residence by the 1630s. His grant came via the headright system as he transported 105 persons plus his wife and himself. One of the persons he brought to Virginia was Augustine Warner, the great-great grandfather of George Washington. Thoroughgood was the great-great grandfather of George Mason through his daughter Anne. A later grant documented that Thoroughgood had transported 3 persons of African descent to Virginia.
Most of the land area that is present day City of Virginia Beach was Princess Anne County from 1691 until 1963. Princess Anne County and its vicinity was the location of significant events during the American Revolution. In November 1775, British troops under Virginia Royal Governor Lord Dunmore engaged in a skirmish with the Princess Anne County militia at the crossroads at Kemps Landing. The local militia was quickly dispersed, but not before the first Patriot deaths had occurred on Virginia soil. John Ackiss and 4 others were killed in the skirmish, while 2 additional militiamen died during their retreat.
Dunmore set up his temporary headquarters in George Logan’s home (Logan was a loyalist) at Kemps Landing. From there. Dunmore issued a proclamation declaring martial law in Virginia and offering freedom to those enslaved persons that would join his ranks. Dunmore’s “Ethiopian Regiment” of persons that had escaped enslavement participated in the Skirmish at Kemps Landing. Dunmore would be defeated less than a month later at the Battle of Great Bridge (in current City of Chesapeake) several miles down the road from Kemps Landing.
On September 5, 1781, a large French fleet under Admiral Comte de Grasse gained control of the Chesapeake Bay by defeating a British fleet off the Virginia Capes. Anchored at Lynnhaven Bay, de Grasse met on board his flagship with General George Washington and Comte de Rochambeau on September 18, 1781 to solidify strategies for the siege of Yorktown. The British surrendered at Yorktown on October 19.
Virginia Beach, although known as a vibrant modern oceanfront resort city, has an excellent collection of 18th-century houses.
Virginia Beach City Council established the Virginia Beach VA250 Committee in July 2023.
Committee appointments were made on October and the committee had its inaugural meeting on November 2, 2023. Among its duties, the committee will:
Anticipated events supported by the Virginia Beach VA250 Committee include commemorations for:
Virginia Beach is also planning research activities related to its historic resources. Dating of historic houses through dendrochronology will be pursued. Dendrochronology projects are underway for the Carraway House and Pleasant Hall, both located in the former Kemps Landing area. Some historians believe that Pleasant Hall was built in 1769 and was George Logan’s home, which would mean it served as Dunmore’s headquarters. The National Register nomination states it was built in 1779 for Peter Singleton. If that is the case, it would have been standing when Benedict Arnold, while serving as a British officer, visited Kemps Landing in 1781. The dendrochronology project is anticipated to provide a conclusive date for the historic building.
Other plans for events such as lecture series and exhibits will likely be pursued, as well.
Willis Augustus Hodges Virtual Program - 11 amFollow the life and times of Willis Augustus Hodges, the Cape Henry Lighthouse's only African American principal light keeper. An avid abolitionist, H... Read More
245th Anniversary of the Skirmish at James’s PlantationThe Great Bridge Chapter & The Norfolk Chapter Virginia Society Sons of the American Revolution & The Princess Anne County Chapter National Society of... Read More
African American Lighthouse Keeper TalksJoin us on the dune at the Cape Henry Lighthouse as we learn about the African American lighthouse keepers that helped keep the lighthouse. We will di... Read More
Virginia Musical Theater Presents 1776 The Musical VIRGINIA MUSICAL THEATRE PRESENTS THE TONY AWARD WINNING MUSICAL 1776 Just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, 17... Read More
Life of a Lighthouse Keeper Kids Virtual ProgramLighthouse keeping was once a federal job, and a tough one at that! Join Preservation Virginia's Cape Henry Lighthouse in an exploration of what it wa... Read More
Women Lightkeepers Virtual ProgramDid you know that lighthouse keeping wasn't just a man's job? Learn about the three lighthouse keeper's, Julia A.P Harding, Mary Creekmore and Carrie ... Read More
Fashion and LiberTeaVA250 Fashion & LiberTea Virginia Beach History Museums invites the public to the Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., at 11 a.m. and 3:3... Read More
Women Lightkeeper TalksLearn more about the three female light keepers who assisted in the keeping of Cape Henry as well as other notable female lighthouse keepers such as I... Read More
Lighthouse Families Kids Virtual ProgramsLighthouse keeping could be a very lonely job which is why many lighthouse keepers brought along their families! Learn about the families, friends and... Read More
First Landing Virtual ProgramLanding on the shores of the Cape, on April 26th 1607, the men and boys of the Virginia Company Charter claimed this land for Henry, son of King James... Read More
14th Annual 757 Battle of the BeersThe 757 Battle of the Beers is a flagship event from local Hampton Roads non-profit Beach Ambassadors. In partnership with Veer Magazine and Virginia ... Read More
