By exploring the roots of Virginia's contemporary cultural traditions, Roots of Virginia Culture marked the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States. The program brought to Washington performers, artists, musicians, dancers, storytellers, cooks, farmers, and craftspeople to help explain, demonstrate, and celebrate cultural traditions. Delegations from Virginia's eight Native American tribes, West Africa, and Kent County, England, represented the Native, African American, and English roots of the state. Fruit growers and wooden boat builders from Virginia and Kent; peanut farmers and pottery makers from West Africa and Virginia; and African, Native, and Virginian blacksmiths worked side-by-side. Other participants sang gospel songs, ballads, blues, and bluegrass; demonstrated horse skills and crafts; discussed historic restoration; and cooked with Virginia's products. For the first time, an English county participated in the Folklife Festival.

Roots of Virginia Culture introductory
program signs (in pdf format)
Roots of Virginia Culture
Roots of Virginia Culture Maps
African and African American
Kent Count, England
Virginia Tribes Yesterday and Today

This program was produced in partnership with Jamestown 2007: America's 400th Anniversary and the Kent County Council. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture was the Smithsonian Institution partner. Lead supporters to Jamestown 2007 included the Norfolk Southern Corporation, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, Verizon, and Anheuser-Busch Companies. Other supporters included AirTran Airways, Dominion, James City County, Philip Morris USA, SunTrust, and Wolseley PLC/Ferguson Enterprises Inc.