Norfolk Botanical Garden Honors Black Workers at 18th Heritage Day

Norfolk Portsmouth Newport News, VA, September 21, 2026 —

Norfolk Botanical Garden recently held its 18th annual Heritage Day celebration, a significant event dedicated to honoring the Black workers who were instrumental in the garden’s creation 88 years ago. This year’s ceremony saw the addition of four new names to the garden’s historical records, marking the largest number of original workers identified and recognized in a single year since 2018.

These individuals were originally hired by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in 1938. Their labor was crucial in clearing the land that would eventually become the renowned Norfolk Botanical Garden. The WPA, a key New Deal agency, employed millions of Americans during the Great Depression, contributing to numerous public works projects across the United States.

The identification of new names represents an ongoing effort by the garden to meticulously document the contributions of all those involved in its foundational years. The addition of these four names is a notable milestone, reflecting increased success in uncovering previously unrecorded histories. The garden’s commitment to this initiative underscores the importance of acknowledging the full spectrum of individuals whose work shaped the institution.

Heritage Day serves as an annual occasion for the garden to reflect on its past and celebrate the diverse individuals who contributed to its development. The ceremony highlights the garden’s dedication to historical accuracy and its role in preserving the legacies of its earliest laborers. The increase in identified names this year points to sustained research and community engagement aimed at uncovering these important historical narratives.

Story summarized from the original created by Anthony Sabella on www.wtkr.com, see more information here.

Media gallery