Historic Hampton, Inc.

06/02/2026

Join us, Sunday June 21 from 1-3 p.m., for a special Juneteenth weekend performance! Space is limited, so registration is required.

Step back in time at Hampton National Historic Site as remarkable women from history are brought to life through first-person storytelling and authentic costumes by Ms. Story (Shemika Renee). Follow her through the historic rooms of the Hampton Mansion as she presents her interpretation of women such as Nancy Davis and Ida Cummings.

While there, you will also learn directly from staff about the latest discoveries and preservation efforts taking place at Hampton. Get the behind-the-scenes scoop about everything from the construction happening on site to archeological discoveries and rare 18th century objects recently added to the museum collections.

Space is limited, so registration is required. To register go to our events page on our website:
https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/event-details.htm?id=5D7AEEA7-ECD0-48CB-D4A1B7EAC8BF6C42

Learn more about Ida R. Cummings:
https://www.nps.gov/people/ida-r-cummings.htm

Learn more about Nancy Davis:
https://www.nps.gov/hamp/learn/historyculture/nancy-davis.htm

Learn more about the Legacy Restoration Fund Project:
https://www.nps.gov/hamp/learn/legacy-restoration-fund-project.htm

📸NPS

05/28/2026

05/17/2026

Click click click!

ATTENTION: All Photographers! 📸

Looking to hold sessions at Hampton National Historic Site this year? We've updated and simplified our website to clarify all regulations, policies, and laws surrounding still photography within the park!

Our hope is to better manage increased photography traffic within the park and more easily communicate with visitors about best practices when holding photography sessions at the park. Please review this webpage before holding photography sessions at Hampton National Historic Site.

Photography Quick guide link: https://www.nps.gov/hamp/learn/management/photography.htm

📷 NPS/Tim Ervin
Caption: Hampton mansion and cedar in fog.

05/14/2026

Life can be so crazy it can be difficult to find time to slow down just to breathe. Hampton NHS is proud to provide a green space for people to improve their emotional and mental well-being by nurturing with nature. Caring for your mental health can help you cope with stress and improve your quality of life.

From a stroll through our park to a day spent hiking in the wilderness, exposure to nature has been linked to a host of benefits including improved attention, lower stress, better mood, and more. These benefits can also stem from feeling connected to nature, regardless of how much time is actually spent outdoors- even a few moments outside can boost your physical and psychological well­being!

Remember to make time for yourself this (and every month!) to enjoy the beautiful parts of life and remember it's okay to ask for help.



📸NPS/Tim Ervin

04/11/2026

04/09/2026

What does freedom mean? Once you have freedom, what new challenges arise?

Enslaved and free women faced these questions at Hampton throughout the 1800s. Freedom seekers took great risks to escape enslavement before the 1864 Emancipation. With the new Maryland constitution, women who remained at Hampton faced the question of how to build a new life in freedom for themselves and their families.

An online exhibit tells some of the stories of the people that lived and labored at Hampton, and their lives in freedom. The online exhibit also has information about the Legacy Restoration Fund Project with updates about the buildings, structures, grounds, and exhibits.

To learn more and see the online exhibit: https://www.nps.gov/hamp/learn/who-lived-here-exhibit.htm



📷 Griots' Circle of Maryland performers holding hands. NPS/Tim Ervin

01/05/2026

Today is so we would like to highlight some of the park’s most beautiful residents. Dozens of different bird species can be viewed and heard throughout the park every day, so the next time you are exploring, take some time to admire these feathery friends.

To learn more about birding for beginners, go to: https://www.nps.gov/articles/birding-for-beginners.htm

📷 NPS/D. Durovick
Caption: Red-bellied woodpecker resting in a tree.