The Year of Henricus

America’s 400th Commemoration Continues… The Legacy of Henricus, 1611

Join us as we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Henricus! Mark your calendars for the following events that highlight the legacy of Henricus!

In September 1611, the Citie of Henricus was established as the second successful English settlement in North America under the leadership of Sir Thomas Dale. Within months of his arrival, he instituted martial law and initiated an ambitious expansion of the settlement.

Today, 400 years later, Henricus Historical Park re-creates Dale’s successful settlement. The opportunity for property ownership by the common man was a unique concept in the “New World.” This innovative idea combined with the development of the first English hospital, the chartering of the first college in North America, the first English home of Pocahontas, and the establishment of tobacco as the first cash crop in Virginia contributed to the successful permanent colonization of North America and the eventual establishment of the United States of America.

Saturday, January 21, 2012 (10 a.m.-5p.m.)
Last Fight of the Confederate Navy: The Battle of Trent's Reach, 1865

This event will include a wreath laying ceremony on the bluff and a musket salute to the Medal of Honor recipient, 20 year-old 2nd Lt. Walter Thorn, 116th USCT, who on January 1, 1864, ran atop the bulkhead of Butler's canal just before it blew up to rescue a sentry who was not pulled off duty. Civil War living historians will interpret Union and Confederate soldiers and sailors and will include lectures on the battle of Trent's Reach and other topics related to the Civil War at Dutch Gap. Free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12.
Schedule of Events.

Saturday, March 24, 2012 (10 a.m.-5p.m.)
Anniversary of the 1622 Virginia Indian Offensive, March 22, 1622

This event will be presented in first-person relating the hardships and horrors of the English at Henricus following the brilliant attacks of Powhatan leader Opechancanough on March 22, 1622. Visitors will experience a mass colonial burial of their dead, armed colonists on sentry duty and meet musket-armed Alice Proctor, who successfully defended her home against the attacks. Visitors will also get to interact with Powhatan interpreters and inquiry about native perspectives of the attack. There will be an evening candlelight tour from 6-7pm for visitors who wish to experience the readiness of the colonists the night after the first attacks.

Tuesday, April 10-Friday, April 13, 2012 (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Civil War at Dutch Gap – Spring Break Camp (ages 8-12)

Learn about the life of the common soldier of the Civil War and of the inventions and engineering feats that the war brought to the James River area. Help to design and build models of the cutting of Dutch Gap to redirect the course of the James River in 1864. Build fortifications and do everyday tasks of the Civil War soldier. Take a field trip to another Civil War site for musket and artillery demos and firings. A pontoon boat tour of Civil War sites on the James River is included. $145/ $120 members.

Saturday, April 28, 2012 (10 a.m.-5p.m.)
Pocahontas, Rocke Hall and the Powhatan People

This event will focus on the life of Pocahontas at the settlements around Henricus, 1613-1614, when Pocahontas was brought upriver by Sir Thomas Dale and urged towards conversion by Reverend Alexander Whitaker. The daily lives of most Powhatan Indians will be re-enacted in the time that Pocahontas was brought to Henricus. Free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12.

Saturday, June 23, 2012  
Henricus Dauber Dash 5-Miler

Just like the Daubers that built the mud houses in the Citie of Henricus, you will have a chance to relive your childhood with plenty of messy mud on hand at the Henricus Dauber Dash. The 5-mile course starts in the Citie and goes around the trail loop at Dutch Gap, but this isn't your typical trail run. Think much, much messier. And just when you think you can't get any dirtier, you'll come face-to-face with the final mud pit at the finish overlooking the scenic James River. This is not a race for walkers! For registration information, please visit:   www.sportsbackers.org

Camp Pocahontas
June 25 – 29, 2012 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Ages 6 – 10
Cost:  $175/$150 Members

Through activities and arts and crafts, campers will explore the life of Pocahontas and the culture of the Powhatan peoples.  Using our re-created Powhatan village of Arrohateck, hands-on activities will include cooking, farming, learning hunting skills, house and canoe building, weaving fishing nets and making pottery, arrows and tools.  Make and Take crafts included.  New this year – a pontoon boat tour of historic sites on the James River!

James River Camp I
July 19, 2012 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Ages 7 – 12
Cost:  $40/$30 Members

Join an environmental and conservation camp on the James River.  Participate in identifying plants and animals of the River, their uses by historical peoples and how to conserve the area today.  Learn to kayak and take a boat trip up the James River to see eagles and egrets and 400 years of historical sites. 

James River Camp II
August 9, 2012 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Ages  7 – 12
Cost:  $40/$30 Members

Interactive river programs emphasize how people used the river in the past.  Work with how the course of the river changed during the Civil War, as the Dutch Gap was created.  A historic pontoon boat tour of the James River is included.

Saturday, August 11, 2012 (10 a.m.-5p.m.)
400th Anniversary of the First Virginia Laws, 1612-2012

This event will focus on the contributions of Sir Thomas Dale and his soldiers to the publishing of Laws Divine, Moral, and Martial for the Virginia colony. A fully re-created court in the church at Henricus will be featured. Various punishments will be demonstrated that would be administered to the guilty and condemned in the garrisons. Visitors will have an opportunity to be heard in this court and be participants in the punishments. Additionally, crime and punishments of the Powhatan Indians will be interpreted and demonstrated.

Saturday, September 15-Sunday, September 16, 2012 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.) 
Publick Days

Join us for our annual celebration of the 1611 founding of the Citie of Henricus. Experience the past as 400 years of history come to life with living history re-enactments, military drills and musket firings, craftsmen and blacksmiths, 17th-century medicinal demonstrations, Virginia Indian activities, historical children's games and crafts, storytelling and more. Our largest and most popular annual event. Free Admission. $5 Parking Fee.

Friday, October 5-Sunday, October 7, 2012 
School of the Musketeer

Participants will experience an entire weekend learning about military and civilian life as the first colonists in the New World. Instructors and other support personnel provide an interactive environment in 17th century life and culture; overnight experience included. Fee is $30 and is all inclusive. Registration is required. For information visit: www.kingdomoflucerne.com

Archaeology Camp
October 13, 2012 (9 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
Ages 8 – 16
Cost:  $40/$30 Members

In honor of Virginia’s Archaeology Month learn the archaeological method to understand the past.  Help us identify artifacts found in the area.   

Friday, October 19-Saturday, October 20, 2012 (7:30 p.m. -10:30 p.m.)
Haunted Henricus: Things that Go Bump In the Night

This event will have a new feature - a sleep over for the first 25 registered participants who will be involved in paranormal investigation on the grounds of the Henricus Settlement from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Experience an evening of spellbinding accounts and legendary tales as storytellers relive old English legends and folklore. Join us by the fireside and listen to European stories early Colonists told as they recounted tales from their homeland. Capture the essence of what a Colonist felt between 1607-1622 in a strange new land surrounded by danger, darkness and uncertain peril. The harvest is in, the nights grow longer and danger lurks in the shadows. Enjoy this evening of old-fashioned family fun! Light refreshments will be served. Registration required. Limited attendance. Free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12.

Saturday, November 10, 2012 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)
Fall Militia Muster

This event will invite all 17th century living history interpreters who can shoulder a 1611-1640's match or flint locked musket to learn Dutch-Anglo musketeer drills from the staff at Henricus Historical Park. This event will include musket firing demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and all other activities common to a militia muster of 1620's Virginia. Free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12.

Saturday, December 8, 2012 (6 p.m. -8 p.m.)
Parade of Lights and Colonial Christmas

Enjoy the 20th Annual James River Parade of Lights, sponsored by the regional James River Advisory Council. A treasured Richmond tradition, thousands of residents look forward to viewing the procession of boats decorated with holiday lights each year. Spectators will be able to enjoy the parade and experience a colonial Christmas presented by historical interpreters at Henricus Historical Park free-of-charge. Colonial Christmas activities begin at 6:00 p.m. with viewing of boat parade from 7:30-8 p.m.

Friday, December 14-Saturday, December 15, 2012 (7-9 p.m.)  
Henricus Colonial Christmas

This event will demonstrate in first-person character interpretation the etiquette, norms, customs, and laws regarding Christmas in Elizabethan-Jacobean English households in the early 17th century. This evening tour will invite visitors to experience holiday traditions of different socio-economic homes. The event will culminate with period dance and song in the hospital.Free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12.

Christmas in the Colony Camp
December 8, 2012 (10 a.m. – 2 p.m.)
Ages 5 – 10
Cost:  $25/$20 members

Join in a Colonial Christmas – decorations, crafts, games, activities and snacks included.  Help us decorate your home and Henricus! Registration required.