Early American Photo Collage

Many significant historical figures have inhabited the land now used by NASA Langley Research Center (LaRC) and Langley Air Force Base in Hampton, VA. The most well known person to inhabit the site is George Wythe, the first Virginian to sign the Declaration of Independence. The first European to live on the federal property was most likely John Laydon, who arrived in April of 1607 on the Susan Constant. Laydon and his wife, Ann Burrows, were the first couple married in Colonial America, and Virginia, their child, was the first child born in the new colony. Documentation of the plantations on the property provides insight into the lives of colonists during great events in American History, from the Revolutionary War to the post-Civil War period.

The objective of this site is to provide a practical history of the area to Virginia students studying Virginia and Colonial History, using documents (including maps) of the studied time frames. Portions of this information was obtained from Archaeological Surveys commissioned by NASA Langley Research Center and Langley Air Force Base.

This activity allows students to explore LARC's colonial history using an interactive online map. An activity guide for educators is accessible through the Educator button. The activity can be accessed through the Student button.