First Africans Day

First Africans Day at Stratford Hall

Archival records show that in July of 1738, seventy enslaved West Africans consigned to Thomas Lee of Virginia arrived in the south Potomac aboard the Liverpool Merchant. Some helped to create and sustain what would become Stratford, others were sold to neighboring plantations. Each year, we remember these “first Africans” and honor all the ancestors once enslaved here by commemorating their lives, cultures, contributions, and resilience.

Check back soon for our 2026 event date! Admission is free and includes access to the Great House, grounds, and all First Africans Day activities including:

• Opening Ceremony at the African American Cemetery
• West African dance & music
• Historic interpretation of the Historic Kitchen and Payne Cabin
• Storytelling in the Great House
• Closing Ceremony on the Stratford Beach

To learn more about the generations of Africans and African Americans enslaved at Stratford, please visit our Stratford at the Crossroads exhibit in the Visitor Center; and take our audio tour The Crossroads: African & African American Life at Stratford Hall.