Governor To Visit Fort Monroe to Celebrate
Hampton's 400th Anniversary

On Wednesday, September 29 Governor Bob McDonnell will visit Fort Monroe in Hampton to issue a proclamation celebrating the city's 400th Anniversary.

As the site of America's first free public education, training ground for America's first astronauts, and the Civil War site where slaves were declared contraband of war, Hampton has a compelling history inextricably aligned with our nation. North America's oldest, continuous English-speaking settlement is celebrating its 400-year anniversary with a year-long calendar of festivities, speaker series, and legacy programs.

Due to its integral role in Hampton's history, the city began its quadricentennial celebrations at Fort Monroe with a Federal naturalization ceremony. The fort's roots can be traced back to 1609 when Fort Algernourne, one of America's first forts, was constructed at Point Comfort, the site which would become the home of Fort Monroe in 1819. The fort is the largest stone fort ever built in America and is a National Historic Landmark.

The signing ceremony also presents an opportunity for the City of Hampton to reaffirm its commitment to supporting Fort Monroe and its residents. The community covenant, signed in 2008 by the City and the Fort, encourages the development and continued support of partnerships between the City and Fort Monroe to improve the quality of life for soldiers and their families. Even with the anticipated closing of the fort through the Base Realignment and Closure process, it was identified as one of the strategic investment areas in the City's Community Plan, supporting the City's efforts to ensure that the fort remains a positive presence within the community.

The signing ceremony will be held at the Bay Breeze Community Center, Fenwick Drive, on Fort Monroe at 11:30 a.m. on September 29. The event is open to the public. Fort Monroe is an active U.S. Army installation; you must have an up-to-date driver's license and car registration to enter. Each passenger must show photo I.D.

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City Manager’s Office
22 Lincoln Street
Hampton, VA 23669               
Phone (757) 727-6454  

Marketing INC, the City of Hampton's marketing and communications division, provides citizens and employees with comprehensive updates on strategic and quality of life initiatives, emergency planning, diversity education, and civic involvement. The department produces a number of citizens and employee related publications such as City Page, City Page Online, Hampton Notes and serves the cities broader interest of fostering regional and state relationships.