Elementary Schools Across Hampton Roads Are Learning About “America’s First Region”
What is a region, and why is ours called Hampton Roads?
What are some of the significant historical events that have occurred on the Peninsula, Southside and Eastern Shore over the past 400 years?
The Hampton Roads Partnership, in association with Cox Communications, has produced a colorful poster with this information and more and provided copies free of charge to every 4th grade classroom in southeastern Virginia, the grade level where state history is first taught.
“One of our major goals as an organization is to build more regional citizens,” says Dana Dickens, President of the Hampton Roads Partnership, which represents local governments as well as military installations, colleges and universities and a host of major businesses in the area. “The best place to start is with the next generation, and that’s the purpose of the posters, which Cox Communications was wonderful enough to sponsor.”
The posters promote the new brand for the area, “Hampton Roads, America’s First Region,” which commemorates the landing at Cape Henry by three English ships in April 1607 and the establishment of the settlement at Jamestown two and a half weeks later. On the 24”x36” posters is a definition of a region, an explanation of why Hampton Roads is America’s First Region and a timeline that includes historical facts about 18 different cities, counties and towns in the community. There is also a map so children can understand how their locality fits into the larger region.
“The school systems were excited to get the posters and are putting them up now,” says Belinda Coulter of Rubin Communications Group, which designed the pieces and coordinated the printing and distribution. “We’re also asking them to put the words ‘Celebrating Hampton Roads, America’s First Region’ on their outside marquees to further reinforce the message.”
Schools that have not received posters, either public or private, are urged to call 456-5212 for copies.
For more information, visit www.hrp.org or call 757-625-4696.
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