Historical Marker Approved for Virginia Amblers House

The marker commemorates the 1862 escape of over 100 enslaved people to freedom at Jamestown Island.

Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in African-American

Historical Marker Approved for Virginia Amblers House

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The Virginia Department of Historic Resources has approved a new historical marker titled Amblers House and Self-Emancipation at Jamestown. The site honors the 1862 escape of more than 100 enslaved people who fled to Union lines on Jamestown Island.

Why it matters

The recognition highlights the role of enslaved individuals in seeking their own liberation following the passage of the Second Confiscation Act in 1862. It provides a permanent record of the agency displayed by those who fled to freedom during the Civil War.

John Coke built the Amblers House in 1852, a property now owned by James City County and listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register. The site serves as the location for the upcoming marker, which marks the legacy of Windsor Powers and other escapees.

The players

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

This state agency is responsible for the identification, evaluation, and protection of Virginia's significant historic, architectural, and archaeological resources.

Virginia Racial Healing Institute

This organization works to address racial disparities and historical injustices through educational projects and community-focused initiatives.

Windsor Powers

He was an enslaved person who led a group of more than 100 individuals to freedom in 1862.

John Coke

He was the builder responsible for the construction of the Amblers House in 1852.

The details

The Virginia Racial Healing Institute sponsored the initiative and is currently raising funds to restore the property. Tours of the historic grounds are scheduled to begin next year, following a planned public event later this fall.

John Coke built the Amblers House in 1852.
Over 100 enslaved people escaped to Jamestown Island in 1862.
The Second Confiscation Act passed in July 1862.
A first public event is scheduled for the fall of 2026.
The marker installation ceremony is planned for spring 2027.

Culture Shift

This project reflects a growing trend in Virginia to formalize the documentation of individual agency during the American Civil War era. It moves beyond traditional narratives by anchoring the history of the Second Confiscation Act directly to the local geography of Jamestown.

Residents and visitors will be able to tour the Amblers House grounds starting next year to learn about the site's history firsthand. The upcoming restoration project and public events provide a tangible way for the community to engage with the local history of emancipation.

The takeaway

The installation of this marker signifies a commitment to preserving the often-overlooked history of self-emancipation in Virginia. Implementing visits to such sites helps ensure that the stories of local individuals are integrated into the broader public understanding of the Civil War.

What happens next

The Virginia Racial Healing Institute will hold a public event at the site in the fall of 2026, followed by an official marker installation ceremony in the spring of 2027.