City of Williamsburg Awarded Grant for African American Heritage Trail
The City of Williamsburg has been selected to receive a Commonwealth History Fund grant from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC), recognizing the city’s ongoing commitment to preserving and interpreting Virginia’s history.
In 2026, the VMHC is distributing $345,000 to 11 museums, municipalities, foundations, historical societies, and associations across the Commonwealth. With this year’s awards, the five‑year total for the Commonwealth History Fund surpasses $2 million. Williamsburg will receive $80,000 to support the development of the Williamsburg African American Heritage Trail.
With VMHC’s support, the City of Williamsburg will launch the Williamsburg African American Heritage Trail — a two‑mile, self‑guided walking experience that spans city property as well as areas within William & Mary and Colonial Williamsburg. The trail will feature interpretive signage and a mobile app designed to honor and illuminate the city’s rich and multifaceted African American history.
In recognition of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary, applications connected to the nation’s semiquincentennial received special consideration, though such a focus was not required. More than 90 competitive applications were submitted, collectively requesting over $5 million in funding.
More information about each recipient and their funded projects is available at virginiahistory.org/historyfund.
About the City of Williamsburg
Founded in 1699, the City of Williamsburg served as Virginia’s Colonial Capital and was a political, educational, and social center during America’s formative years. Today, this independent city of roughly 16,000 residents is home to William & Mary and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and anchors a rapidly growing region along the I‑64 corridor between Richmond and Virginia Beach.
About the Virginia Museum of History & Culture
Founded in 1831 as the Virginia Historical Society, the Virginia Museum of History & Culture is the oldest museum and cultural organization in Virginia and one of the nation’s most distinguished history institutions. The private, nonprofit museum stewards a renowned collection of more than 9 million items that tell the expansive story of Virginia.
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