Henricus Militia Commander Receives Community Leadership Award

This month, Woodmen of the World Richmond/ Chesterfield Lodge 159 presented Dennis Strawderman with a Community Leadership Award. Charles Lewis Grant, acting executive director of Henricus Historical Park, was at the presentation to highlight Strawderman's exceptional civic service on behalf of the museum. A former Marine, Strawderman commands the all-volunteer Henricus Militia and often portrays Sir Thomas Dale who founded Henricus as a military fort in 1611. Militia service was compulsory for all free males capable of bearing arms in the colony. Today, the 23-member Henricus Militia offers infantry, artillery and colonial river commerce demonstrations for Henricus Historical Park and the surrounding community. To learn more about the Henricus Militia visit http://www.henricusmilitia.com/. Since 1952, Woodmen of the World lodges have expressed gratitude to outstanding citizens of the community - those who have gone the extra mile in civic service and community betterment efforts. Nationally, Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society is the largest fraternal benefit society with open membership in the United States (http://www.woodmen.org/).

Henricus Receives Livestock Donation from Chesterfield County Farm Bureau to Initiate "Agriculture in the Classroom" Partnership

Today Henricus Historical Park received two female adolescent goats from the Chesterfield County Farm Bureau to initiate a partnership with the Virginia Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC). "Grasshopper" and "Doll Baby" are from O'Berry Farm, a Chesterfield County Farm Bureau producer member.

AITC is national program which brings agriculture education to life through real-world applications. Funded by Virginia's agriculture community, the foundation provides elementary and middle school educators with free teaching materials that are aligned with Virginia's Standards of Learning and can be integrated into current curricula. Henricus Historical Park will begin offering "Agriculture in the Classroom" programming this summer.

Participating in today's event were Charles Lewis Grant, acting executive director, Henriucs Historical Park; Howard Nester, Jr., president, Chesterfield County Farm Bureau; Karen Davis, executive director, AITC; and Pat and Cheryl O'Berry, O'Berry Farm. To learn more about SOL-aligned education programs for pre-K-12 at Henricus Historical Park, visit http://www.henricus.org/.

Life of Pocahontas at the Cite of Henricus

Pocahontas, daughter of Chief Powhatan, first captured the attention of the English when she and other Virginia Indian children began visiting Jamestown in 1607. John Smith described her as playful, spirited and smarter than the other children. Later, Pocahontas was credited for saving Smith at the hands of her father. Captured by Samuel Argall in 1613, Pocahontas was originally taken to Jamestown. Sir Thomas Gates, fearful of reprisal from Powhatan, turned Pocahontas over to Sir Thomas Dale at Henricus. Dale instructed Rev. Alexander Whitaker to care for Pocahontas and instruct her in the ways of Christianity. While living at Henricus she converted to Christianity, was baptized and took the English name Rebecca. She met and was courted by John Rolfe, whom she married in April 1614. After their marriage, Powhatan signed a peace treaty with the English settlers which lasted until March 22, 1622. In 1616, Pocahontas traveled to England with her husband and infant son Thomas. While there she contracted an illness, possibly tuberculosis or small pox, and died at the age of 22. She remains buried in Gravesend, England. Learn more about the life of Pocahontas at Henricus Historical Park on Saturday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.; free for members, $8 for adults and $6 for children 3-12).

Visit “Haunted Henricus” Event for Modern and Historic Ghost Stories

At Henricus this weekend, storytellers will relive English and Virginia Indian ghost stories. In addition, experts from Transcend Paranormal (aka R.I.P. Ghost Hunters) will share findings of recent paranormal activity at Henricus. Specialists have visited Henricus several times and captured a misty figure on video, experienced objects moving and discovered Electronic Voice Phenomena (EVPs) in virtually every building onsite. EVPs have been recorded of people speaking, furniture dropping and cannons firing. Experts from Transcend Paranormal utilize electromagnetic field detectors, cameras, camcorders and voice recorders when conducting research. See proof of ghost activity at "Haunted Henricus: Things That Go Bump in the Night" this weekend (reservation required: (804) 748-1613). For more information, visit http://www.ripvirginia.com/.

Thomas Dale Students Get Behind-the-Scenes Movie Tour at Henricus

On Friday, October 14, nine drama students at Thomas Dale High School (TDHS) got a behind-the-scenes tour of the "To Have and To Hold" movie set at Henricus. Students were given the opportunity to learn how a large-scale move is made including meet-and-greets with the film's director, producer and stars and a glimpse into the wardrobe, make-up and catering facilities for the movie. TDHS is home to Chesterfield County's Visual and Performing Arts Specialty Center for students highly interested or talented in music, theater, dance or visual arts. "To Have and To Hold" is a colonial-era movie based on a best-selling American novel written in 1900. Filming at Henricus will conclude this week.

Set Design Underway at Henricus for "To Have and To Hold" Movie Filming

Crews have begun designing the set for the "To Have and To Hold" movie filming at Henricus. So far, an enormous gate and palisade have been created behind the Court de Guard and in front of the forge. Mount Malady has been transformed from a hospital into a church with pews, new landscaping and a steeple to be added shortly. A huge haystack has been built near the carpentry shop and period props have been placed around the Historic Citie for various scenes. The crew set up a base camp for the film production including tents and trailers in the unpaved parking lot. Henricus Historical Park will be closed to the general public from October 3-19 for the filming. Previously scheduled school field trips will take place as planned along with "School of the Musketeer" on October 7-9. People are encouraged to visit Henricus.org for further updates and additional details.

Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution Donates to Virginia Indian Site

On September 16, Henricus Historical Park received a donation from the Virginia Society Children of the American Revolution (VSCAR) for $3,000. The funds will be used to maintain the “Yehakins,” or longhouses, in the Virginia Indian site. The undertaking was led by Laura Shelton, past president of VSCAR (2010-2011), as her state project. As a resident of Chesterfield with a strong interest in American Indian culture, Shelton felt compelled to help a local organization dedicated to the preservation of the pre-revolutionary period. To raise funds, Shelton traveled around the state to local chapters informing them about the educational mission of Henricus Historical Park. She sold t-shirts, conducted raffles and accepted donations. Local societies supported her project with fundraisers they conducted as well. Shelton presented the check to the Henricus Foundation during a reception to welcome Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement for Publick Days and the site’s 400th anniversary. She is a member of the William Byrd Society, a local chapter of VSCAR.

Henricus Historical Park Temporarily Closed for Filming

Henricus Historical Park will be closed from October 3-18 for the filming of "To Have and To Hold." During this time the Dutch Gap trails will be open; however, the James River Bluff and floating dock will be closed. All parking will be in the overflow parking lot adjacent to the paved lot. School of the Musketeer will take place as scheduled on October 7-9. All previously scheduled school field trips will take place as planned. For more information, please visit www.henricus.org.

Henricus Historical Park Celebrates Successful 400th Commemoration

Henricus Historical Park would like to thank the event participants and visitors for making Publick Days and the site’s 400th commemoration a success. The weekend kicked-off with the arrival of Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement with remarks by representatives of the Virginia House of Delegates; Chesterfield and Henrico Counties; the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation; Daughters of the American Revolution and the Chickahominy Indian Tribe. Despite rainy conditions, nearly 4,000 people enjoyed the weekend’s family-friendly activities ranging from musket and cannon firing demonstrations to Virginia Indian songs and dance. Through today, school groups will participate in guided tours of the Godspeed and colonial and Virginia Indian settlements. Henricus would like to thank the more than 100 living history interpreters, dozens of volunteers, sponsors and donors, Board of Trustees and dedicated staff for creating a memorable, educational and entertaining event.

Preparations at Henricus Kept Site Safe From Hurricane Irene

Staff at Henricus Historical Park worked furiously last week to protect the site from Hurricane Irene. With Publick Days and the site’s 400th anniversary only weeks away, protecting the grounds, structures and artifacts were of high concern. In preparation, artifacts were removed from all buildings and stored in the education center. Tarps were placed over three Yehakins (or longhouses) in the Virginia Indian site and secured to the ground with stakes. The site’s cannon was moved to a protected location. Hard work by the staff paid off with the Yehakins unharmed and only minor damage from a fallen tree incurred to the tobacco barn. Chesterfield County removed the tree on Monday. Many thanks to the Henricus staff for their hard work preparing for Hurricane Irene!