Reply
Jun 14, 2021
When Machicomoco State Park opened April 16, it was ordained as Virginia s 40th state park. But in Stephen Adkins eyes, it was the first the first to fully commit to sharing the history of his people.
Find out what s happening in Annapolis with free, real-time updates from Patch.
Let s go! Our Native culture has been sidelined, and the dominant culture story has just been repeated and repeated, the Chickahominy Tribe chief said during a dedication ceremony that day for the park, with Gov. Ralph Northam standing just feet away. A history that s been held hostage for so many years, Gov. Northam, [that] you ve helped to ransom.
Governor Northam Celebrates Opening of Virginia’s 40th State Park
GLOUCESTER COUNTY Governor Ralph Northam today celebrated the opening of the Commonwealth’s 40th state park, Machicomoco State Park, with a dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony. Machicomoco is an Algonquian word meaning “special meeting place,” acknowledging the importance and mission of the site: to educate the public about the native tribes in Virginia and share their stories. Machicomoco State Park spans 643 acres along the York River in Gloucester County at the site formerly known as Timberneck Farm.
“As we open Virginia’s 40th state park, we are reminded of the many ways these natural spaces connect us and bring communities together,” said Governor Northam. “The story of our Commonwealth cannot be told without the history and experiences of Virginia’s native tribes. Machicomoco will stand in perpetuity, ensuring that we continue to learn from our past, celebrate the present, and aspire to a b