In celebration of African American History Month, and to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, Historic Jamestowne will offer special living history presentations highlighting the role played by African Americans at Jamestown during the conflict.

Award-winning historian and actor-interpreter Jerome Bridges will portray former slave turned soldier Private Harrison Woodson of the 25th Corps United States Colored Troops (USCT). African American soldiers of Woodson’s corps, including members of the 1st and 2nd Calvary USCT, rotated between the Union Army outpost on Jamestown Island and the lower Virginia Peninsula, where Private Woodson guarded Confederate prisoners at the end of the war.

The programs will take place at Historic Jamestowne on Saturday, February 18 at 11:00 a.m., 1:00p.m., and 3:00p.m.

Historic Jamestowne is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (on behalf of APVA Preservation Virginia) and preserves the original site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World.

Meet Anas Todkill and learn about his experiences as one of the first English settlers at Jamestown during this family-friendly program at the Voorhees Archaearium. Todkill will provide opportunities to explore many unique objects such as arms and armor, ceramics, tools, and trade items that were important to a settler’s survival. With Todkill as a guide, learn about explorations of the area, the settler’s relationships with the new world and the Virginia Indians who lived in it.

This program is included in the regular admission to Historic Jamestowne.

This program is presented by Historic Jamestowne and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.