Wilderness Road Regional Museum winner of Summer Fun Virginia History Trails Contest

Williamsburg, Va.  – The 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution, is proud to announce the Wilderness Road Regional Museum as the winner of the Virginia History Trails Summer Fun Contest. The contest that kicked-off summer events for the commemoration ran from June 15 to July 20 throughout the Commonwealth.

Located in Pulaski County, the Wilderness Road Regional Museum won by receiving the most likes and visits on the Virginia History Trails app out of participating sites during the time of the contest. Virginians, families, summer travelers and more were asked to help the sites out by downloading the free app, create a profile and to either visit the site and “check-in” or “like” the site from afar.

“Virginians, travelers and history-lovers have spoken and chose their favorite site,” Kathy Spangler, Executive Director of American Evolution, said. “We are beyond proud that this contest and the Virginia History Trails app encouraged engagement in Virginia’s rich history this summer.”

Wilderness Road Regional Museum currently has an exhibit titled “American Evolution along the wilderness road: Democracy, Diversity and Opportunity” that highlights local stories from the Newbern community that share the themes of the 2019 Commemoration, democracy, diversity and opportunity.

The Museum will also be hosting the Harvest Thanksgiving Meal on November 22, 2019. A chef-prepared dinner will be served and the backstory of local food ways and recipes of early America will be shared as a part of American Evolution’s Customs, Cultures and Cuisine Festival.

The Wilderness Road Regional Museum is part of a collection of historic destinations throughout the Commonwealth that tell the stories of the first 400 years of Virginia’s history. The Virginia History Trails invites people of all ages and backgrounds to explore the foundation of American history with 20 themed trails, more than 200 historic places and over 400 detailed story descriptions.

Since its launch in May of 2018, the interactive Virginia History Trails app has won the Gold Award for Best New Mobile App of August 2018 from the Best Mobile App Awards and the Excellence in Immersive Experience award from the 11th Annual Media Excellence Awards in 2019.

The free and fun app is available for download in the App Store and Google Play, or via the American Evolution website.

The Virginia History Trails app is a Legacy Project of the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution. With the generous support of the Virginia Assembly, the Commemoration recognizes the 400th anniversary of pivotal 1619 Virginia events that forever changed the trajectory of Virginia and America’s history. These 1619 events include the First Representative Legislative Assembly in the New World, the arrival of the first recorded Africans to English North America, the recruitment of English women in significant numbers to the Virginia colony and more.

About the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution 

The 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution highlights events that occurred in Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today. Featured programs, events and legacy projects position Virginia as a leader in education, tourism and economic development. American Evolution commemorates the ongoing journey toward the key ideals of democracy, diversity and opportunity. Dominion Energy is an American Evolution Founding Partner and Altria Group and TowneBank are Virginia Colony Partners.

Wilderness Road Regional Museum

The Wilderness Road Regional Museum has been owned and operated by the New River Historical Society since 1980 and is located in the heart of Newbern, Virginia in Pulaski County. The 2 houses that were converted into the museum once belonged to the Hance-Alexander family, the founding family of the town of Newbern in 1810. Tours are offered with historical interpretation, and special days are scheduled throughout the year for visitors to experience history with a day in the life of those in early Newbern.