Virginia Thanksgiving Festival at Berkeley Plantation

This annual tradition dates back to December 4, 1619 when Captain John Woodlief and his crew of 35 men landed on the shores of the James River at what was to become Berkeley Plantation.

In 1958, the annual celebration of Thanksgiving was reborn thanks to the efforts of Virginia Senator John Wicker. In that year, the Jamieson Family, owners of Berkeley, invited members of the Woodlief family to the plantation to observe the annual event. That was the beginning of the Virginia Thanksgiving Festival, as we know it today. It continues and in 1960 the festival was incorporated and in 1961 became a non-profit organization.

On the first Sunday in November every year a group of volunteers work toward keeping that promise made almost 400 years ago. There are re-enactors, who stroll the grounds, re-create the landing and read the proclamation. Thereby, keeping the request of the Virginia Company alive.