Fort Monroe National Monument, known as "Freedom's Fortress," served as a sanctuary for the first self-liberated African Americans during the Civil War, creating the foundation for what would become a thriving community of freedom seekers. Today, the Hampton Roads Heritage Trail connects visitors to this powerful legacy through an immersive journey that includes Fort Monroe, the Hampton History Museum's maritime heritage exhibits, and the historic campuses of Hampton University and Norfolk State University. Each stop reveals stories of courage, innovation, and resilience that shaped not just Virginia, but the entire nation's understanding of freedom and opportunity.
Supporting the local Black-owned businesses that keep these communities vibrant today
The Hampton Roads Heritage Trail transforms history from distant facts into living experiences. Stand beneath the Emancipation Oak at Hampton University, where newly freed people gathered to hear the Emancipation Proclamation read for the first time in the South. Explore the Hampton History Museum's exhibits which reveals how Black watermen helped build ships in Virginia's maritime economy. Through our Heritage Points rewards system integrated with the AAHT.network trip planner, every site visit earns you rewards while supporting the local Black-owned businesses that keep these communities vibrant today. Plan your Hampton Roads heritage experience and walk in the footsteps of those who transformed the meaning of freedom in America.