North Tidewater News

A $150,000 grant from the National Park Service will be utilized to form a coalition aimed at highlighting the cultural significance of the Phoebus Main Street District, Fort Monroe, and the City of Hampton. The 2024 Chesapeake Gateways grant was awarded to the Chesapeake Conservancy for this purpose.

Jonathan McBride, housing and neighborhood services division manager for the City of Hampton, expressed support for the initiative: "The City of Hampton is proud to support the creation of the Phoebus-Fort Monroe Coalition, a testament to the power of local partnerships." He added that this initiative would provide residents and visitors with opportunities to engage through recreation, historic sites, and interpretive events throughout Fort Monroe and Phoebus.

The Phoebus Partnership, Fort Monroe Authority, and City of Hampton have collaborated over years to present stories related to military, indigenous, and Black history. This new grant will formally unite these community partners in their mission to celebrate culture and coastal heritage.

Joe Griffith from the Phoebus Partnership noted that the coalition would help "protect our powerful and diverse shared heritage while safeguarding the Chesapeake Bay’s natural resources." John Reynolds from the Fort Monroe Authority highlighted that both sites are "deeply attached by their common history," viewing this partnership as beneficial for future generations.