Historic Germanna is delighted to announce that we are one of fourteen organizations chosen to receive a grant from the Virginia Museum of History & Culture’s (VMHC) Commonwealth History Fund. Historic Germanna has been generously awarded $35,0000.
The VMHC, in partnership with Virginia’s Department of Historic Resources (DHR), awards grants to history organizations and projects throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia through its Commonwealth History Fund. There are several key selection criteria to be considered for the grants, including the significance of the project or resource, its impact on its community and the Commonwealth, the focus on historically underrepresented topics and communities, and the need for funding and urgency of the project.
One of the largest initiatives of its kind, the Commonwealth History Fund is expected to award up to $2,000,000 over its first five years. In 2023, the VMHC awarded $401,206 to fellow history organizations. Funds can be used for a variety of purposes including preservation, publications, artifact acquisition, research, conservation of artifacts and educational programming. Eligible recipients include Virginia non-profits, educational institutions, and state recognized Virginia Indian tribes. The Fund was made possible through the generosity of Dominion Energy and others.
“The Commonwealth History Fund continues to exceed our expectations in supporting a wide range of historic preservation projects and initiatives across the state,” said VMHC President and CEO Jamie Bosket. “We remain committed to reaching more Virginians with this wonderful opportunity to invest in Virginia history.”
Historic Germanna plans to use funding “Rediscovering Katina through Indigenous Voices: Siouan Slavery in Early 1700s Virginia. ” We seek to open a conversation about a little-known, exceptionally important aspect of Virginia history. Historic Germanna has re-encountered evidence of a Siouan-speaking woman, Katina, enslaved by Lt. Governor Alexander Spotswood. This project builds upon work begun in 2023 through seed funding from a Virginia Humanities grant. This three-part project will result in the development of Tribal Consultation Guidelines, research and public interpretation for Katina’s story led by Tribal Representatives, and new, co-curated public history interpretation, including a lecture series, creation of an online exhibit, and the publication of an Encyclopedia Virginia article about Katina.
It is a unique circumstance to know a name and household associated with an enslaved Indigenous woman — Katina. Developing her story will help us gain insights into the history of slavery, Siouan history, and women’s history. From every perspective, her story has much to teach us today.
More information on The Commonwealth History Fund can be found at VirginiaHistory.org/HistoryFund.
Travel to Germany with the Germanna Foundation