Pocahontas Island, Virginia

Pocahontas Island is a historic district on a peninsula in Petersburg along the Appomattox River, featuring multiple sites from different periods of settlement. Archaeological remains and antebellum buildings tell the story of how people lived and worked across centuries in this location.

The land was first surveyed and plotted in 1749, but grew into a major free Black settlement over the following decades. By 1860, a large portion of Petersburg's Black residents made this their home.

The Sandy River Baptist Church, built in 1797, served as a spiritual and social hub where free Black residents gathered to worship and build community. The church still stands today as a visible reminder of faith and family life that defined the neighborhood.

The Pocahontas Island Black History Museum at Witten Street displays objects and documents spanning two centuries of community history. Guided tours are available to help visitors understand the significance of the neighborhood and its sites.

Archaeological digs uncovered evidence of Native American settlements dating back to 6500 BC, far before European arrival in the region. Historical records also document that Pamunkey Indian families continued living in the area through the 1800s.