History

The Chesapeake region has been around for a very long time. Many tend to begin its history with the establishment of Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607. But the story of the Bay began millions of years before that.

  • African Americans in the Chesapeake

    Discover how African-American history shaped the culture and economy of the Chesapeake Bay, from the 1600s to today.

  • Captain John Smith

    Travel along on the voyage of Captain John Smith, an English explorer who journeyed through the Chesapeake Bay.

  • Civil War

    Study how the Bay and its rivers and streams played a pivotal role in many Civil War battles—both on land and water.

  • Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake

    Learn about the culture and day-to-day life of the Chesapeake Bay region’s earliest human residents.

  • Pirates

    Climb aboard the ship of a pirate to learn how Blackbeard, the Davis trio and others carved out their own slice of Bay history.

  • Shipwrecks

    Look back at the way people lived, worked and traveled on the Bay by uncovering the details of historic sunken ships.