York River State Park Entrance
RICHMOND — Virginia State Parks will celebrate History and Culture Day on June 15 with special events at each location commemorating the park’s 88th anniversary.
“We pride ourselves on connecting people with our state parks and allowing them to experience firsthand the importance of recreation and protecting each park resource,” said Virginia State Parks Director Melissa Baker. “We take pride in sharing the history of our parks and look forward to improving our systems and preserving the stories of our parks to share with future generations.”
According to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, through a variety of programs, guests can learn more about each park’s unique history and cultural resources through fun and educational outdoor adventures, including self-guided and ranger-led tours and hikes, cultural demonstrations, kayak tours, mock archaeological digs, viewing of historical artifacts and more.
Events include:
The Virginia State Parks system began with six parks (Dothat, First Landing, Fairy Stone, Hungry Mother, Staunton River and Westmoreland) that opened on June 15, 1936. These parks provided modern outdoor recreational facilities while protecting areas rich in historical, cultural and natural resources.
Since 1936, the park system has expanded to 43 locations, and according to the DCR, there is now a park within an hour’s drive of most Virginia residents. There are more than 2,000 campsites, nearly 300 cabins, access to more than 500 miles of trails, and convenient access to Virginia’s major waterways. Virginia State Parks also host thousands of nature and history events each year.
For park-specific commemorative events, visit dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/history-culture-day .
