Walk in Their Footsteps

Discover Virginia's African American heritage through immersive experiences, historic trails, and community stories.

Join the Challenge

Location

1706 Floyd Avenue Suite C, Richmond, Virginia 23220

Hours

Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

Our Mission:

Remembering the Past, Drive Community Equity, and Build Generational Wealth to Sustain Cultural Stewards

Join the Challenge

The African American Heritage Association of Virginia

Since 2003, AAHA! Virginia has preserved and amplified African American heritage across the Commonwealth. Through the African American Heritage Tourism Network (AAHTN), we connect visitors to over 200 heritage sites while generating $28.9 million in annual economic impact for Virginia communities. Our mission is to honor African American history, enhance community equity, and drive economic sustainability through Culture, Health, Education, and Wealth Equity (CHEW).

872

Heritage Sites Documented

Virginia is home to 872 documented African American heritage sites spanning from 1619 to the present. Our network connects visitors to over 200 of these sites through immersive trail experiences.

300+

Heritage Sites in Network

The African American Heritage Tourism Network (AAHTN) features 300+ heritage sites across Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Central Virginia, with continued statewide expansion.

4 Regions

Across Virginia

Active heritage trail networks spanning Richmond, Hampton Roads, Northern Virginia, and Central Virginia—connecting communities from urban centers to rural landscapes with continued statewide expansion.

BEGIN YOUR HERITAGE JOURNEY

ALL HERITAGE TRAILS →

Explore Heritage Sites

Interactive Map

200+ Sites Statewide

Interactive heritage site map with detailed site information. Plan trips to discover Virginia's rich heritage—from Richmond's Jackson Ward to Hampton Roads' Freedom's Fortress.

START EXPLORING NOW

Plan Your Journey

Custom Itineraries

Build Your Trail

Create custom heritage itineraries based on your interests. From Civil War heritage to HBCU legacy, entrepreneurship history to arts and culture—your journey starts here.

PLAN YOUR TRIP

AAHA Virginia Heritage Challenge

Ongoing Challenge

Earn Heritage Points

Walk in their footsteps. Earn Heritage Points for visiting sites, supporting Black-owned businesses, and sharing stories. Join heritage explorers preserving Virginia's legacy.

JOIN THE CHALLENGE

Know Your Heritage Timeline

From 1619 to Present

Interactive Timeline

Explore Virginia's African American heritage through an interactive historical timeline. Connect past to present through documented stories and educational resources.

TIMELINE COMING SOON

Honor the full history—from colonization and enslavement to resistance and freedom.

In August 1619, approximately 20 enslaved Africans arrived at Point Comfort—marking the beginning of African enslavement in the English colonial territories. This moment, on land long home to Indigenous peoples, became a defining chapter in a much longer story of Black presence in the Americas. Two hundred forty-two years later, this same ground witnessed transformation. Fort Monroe became "Freedom's Fortress"—the first Union-held refuge where enslaved people could claim liberation. Stand beneath the Emancipation Oak where freedom was first proclaimed to those who had been held in bondage. Walk the fortress walls that sheltered the contraband camp, where self-emancipated people built new lives and community. From forced arrival to chosen freedom, Fort Monroe connects the painful legacy of enslavement to the powerful story of self-liberation. Explore Hampton Roads heritage sites that honor this journey of resistance, resilience, and triumph.

Explore Fort Monroe Trail Plan your visit

Our Mission

Through our culture, health, education, and wealth equity initiatives, we create pathways to honor African American History while securing a prosperous future. Your curiosity, acknowledgement, and support make this vital work possible. We honor history from Virginia and beyond. We welcome you to join us!

OUR JOURNEY

At AAHA! Virginia, we’re dedicated to remembering the past, driving community equity, and building generational wealth to sustain cultural stewards.

Arrival

The 1619 landing of the first enslaved Africans at the English settlement in Fort Monroe, present-day Hampton, Virginia.

Remembrance

In the quiet solemnity, we acknowledge, and remember those who are in endless sleep from their journey.

First Harvest

We gather to give thanks for the favor that comes from our labor and praise for what the earth gives us to sustain life.

Jubilation

We rejoice, look back on the progress, and renew our energy to move forward in freedom's quest for all.

African American Heritage Tourism Network

Discover Virginia’s rich African American heritage through immersive tourism, authentic stories, and meaningful connections.

Step into history with Virginia’s premier African American heritage experience. The tourism network connects you to authentic sites, untold stories, and the footsteps of those who shaped our nation’s journey toward freedom and equality.

📘 Download Free E-Book

Coming Soon

Network Points Rewards

Earn points for every site visited, story shared, and tourism journey completed. Redeem rewards at partner businesses, unlock exclusive experiences, and become a certified Heritage Keeper.

Official Launch: Summer 2025

Interactive Trails

Self-guided journeys through Virginia’s most significant African American heritage sites with rich storytelling.

Know Your Story

Personal narratives, family histories, and community stories that connect past to present.

Earn Rewards

Loyalty program with exclusive benefits, discounts, and recognition for heritage engagement.

Community Impact

Support Black-owned businesses and heritage preservation while exploring Virginia’s history.

Explore the Tourism Network

Browse Heritage Sites