News Flash

Hampton, VA The Hampton History Museum invites the public to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with music, arts, and crafts and a taste of the Mexican tradition of Dia de los Muertos “Day of the Dead” for this month’s 2nd Saturday Family day on Saturday, October 1, from 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Activities are free and open to the public.

The Spanish explored and began settlements in Virginia well before the English settled at Jamestown in 1607, and the influence of the Hispanic community on Virginia’s history and culture continues today.

Families can explore the Mexican celebration Dia de los Muertos by adding to a fanciful altar by making paper flowers and papel de picado – cut tissue paper banners. Children will decorate the holiday’s popular sugar skulls to take home. Dia de los Muertos focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember those who have died. The celebration takes place on November 1 and 2, in connection with the Catholic holidays of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.

While listening to the music of Latin America, families can make traditional instruments such as a maraca, shaker, or a rain stick, using recycled materials. And to keep any anxieties at bay, everyone can make a Guatemalan worry doll. These tiny dolls are put under a pillow to take over the worries of the person so they may rest.

Families also will learn about foods that originated in the New World like corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, chocolate, and chilies; some of these will be represented along with foods from the Hispanic market.

National Hispanic Heritage Month began on September15 and runs through October 15 to recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and to celebrate the group's heritage and culture.

Beginning with the October 12 event, the start of museum’s monthly 2nd Saturday Family Days moves to 11:00 a.m. from 10:00 a.m. to allow for the new Archaeology Club beginning that day from 9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.