FREE. In partnership with Colonial National Historical Park. From 10am to 3pm. The theme of this year’s Tour will be The African-American Experience at Green Spring: Pathway to Freedom. Two significant events will be interpreted. The first is a gathering at Green Spring Plantation in 1776 of a group of slaves and free blacks who wanted to worship God in their own way. Their meeting led to the formation of the First Baptist Church of Williamsburg which endures to this day. The second event occurred in 1802 upon the death of William Ludwell Lee, the owner of Green Spring. In his will he freed his slaves and made provisions for their education and support. Between 1803 and 1818 more than thirty African Americans were freed and resettled on farmsteads in the “Hot Water Tract.” The descendants of these freed slaves created one of the first Free Black communities in the nation. The acreage was gradually broken up during the 19th century, and the remaining land forms the nucleus of today’s Freedom Park which will be included in the tour.
Shuttle service from Historic Jamestowne, and Freedom Park to the site.
Events at Freedom Park are sponsored by James City County.
The Friends of Green Spring 