1619 and the Making of America

How should America prepare for the 400th anniversary of 1619, the year that the House of Burgesses began and the first documented Africans arrived in Virginia?

What kinds of programs, themes and new understandings might we wish to highlight and promote? How can we create historical accessibility to the meaning of 1619 when most of America has no understanding of its significance?

Beginning on September 21-22, 2012, we invite the community to join us in a discussion of the significance of 1619 and its importance in making American society and culture. We hope that this conference will establish the groundwork for a national dialogues and reinterpretation of major events that began in 1619 that would shape the contours and character of America.

This conference is supported by

Middle Passage Project at the College of William and Mary
NSU International Programs
Virginia Foundation for the Humanities
Lemon Project, College of William and Mary
NSU Title III-Honors College: Discipline-Specific Honors Programs
Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia