Hampton History Museum

08/27/2026

To the long lines awaiting Janet Jackson's concert on March 31st, 1990! 🎵🎤🎧

08/27/2026

Explore the local story of the American Revolution through the stories of the people who lived it. Experience our immersive exhibition "Revolutionary Hampton: Journeys of Liberty" on view now!

On August 27, 1776 the Continental Congress adopted a resolution, authored by Thomas Jefferson, which promised 100 acres of land to every Hessian non-commissioned officer who would desert the British army. The resolution further provided that any such defector who brought along other Hessian soldiers with him would be granted “further rewards proportioned to the numbers they should bring over, and suited to the nature of their wants.” The resolution was then translated into German, printed onto handbills, and delivered by spies into the British camps. A similar resolution had been adopted on August 14, addressed to Hessian privates.

The immediate objective of the plan was to cause a mass desertion of the Hessian troops occupying Staten Island. That didn’t happen, so in that sense the plan was unsuccessful. But over the course of the war several thousand Hessian soldiers did desert, responding both to inducements such as the one adopted by Congress on this date in 1776 and by a desire to enjoy the liberty and relative prosperity (compared to their lives as peasants in Europe) that they saw among the Americans. Many thousands of Americans today have ancestors who were among those Hessian defectors.

The image is a depiction of a Hessian grenadier by Don Troiani.

08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day!
This undated photos of General Armstrong and Fred shows them enjoying some time together on the front porch.

Check out other images with dogs and items related to dogs in our collections online: https://hampton.pastperfectonline.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_criteria=Dog&searchButton=Search

08/27/2026

Happy National Dog Day!
This photo from around 1900 pictures Jessie Hewins with her family’s dogs, Prince and Joe.

Check out other images with dogs and items related to dogs in our collections online: https://hampton.pastperfectonline.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&search_criteria=Dog&searchButton=Search

08/26/2026

📣 Hampton, your voice can help shape the future of VSS Memorial Park!

The City of Hampton is developing concept plans for a new park at the site of the former Virginia State School for Colored Deaf and Blind Students (VSS), and we want to hear what you think.

📝 Take the online survey and share your feedback on the proposed park concepts. Whether or not you can attend the upcoming community meeting, the survey is an important opportunity to ensure your voice is included in the final plans.
👉 Complete the survey by Sept. 6: https://loom.ly/lModorQ

📅 You can also join us Saturday, Aug. 29, from 11 a.m. to noon at the Economic Empowerment Office for a community conversation to see the plans, ask questions and provide feedback in person.
📍 60 Aberdeen Rd. & 700 Shell Rd., Hampton, VA

Help shape a park that honors the history and legacy of the Virginia School. Your input matters!

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!
This undated photo shows a man and dog at Fort Wool.

Check out other images with dogs and items related to dogs in our collections online: https://hampton.catalogaccess.com/search?search=Dog&includedFields=Objects%2CPhotos%2CLibrary%2CArchives%2CPeople&page=1&size=10&withImages=false

08/26/2026

Happy National Dog Day!
This photo from around 1923 pictures Charlotte Hewins enjoying a day on the porch with her friend Prince.

If you enjoy looking at photos from Hampton's past, and there is a subject that you are interested in, check out our collection on line: www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org/collections

08/26/2026

Join us this evening at 7 p.m. to meet Nikkolas Smith, award-winning author and #1 The New York Times bestselling illustrator! 📚

Hear the story directly from the author, get your book signed, and spend the evening learning more about his work. We hope to see you there!

For more information, see the link below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-history-of-we-live-with-nikkolas-smith-tickets-1996825647264

08/26/2026

Check out this event coming to the Hampton Public Library - Hampton, VA!

08/26/2026

Happy National l Dog Day!
Here are a couple of fellows with their best friend in front of the Hampton Lunch Room, probably 13 N. King Street. On the back of the photo is written: "This is on North King St. back of Smiths Drug Store given to me by Gus in about 1923." Note that the restaurant has “Tables for Ladies.”

You never know what you find in our collections on line! Explore for yourself www.hamptonhistorymuseum.org/collections