Urbanna celebrates 12th Founders Day

August 13, 2026

Updated: August 13, 2026

By Southside Sentinel

fife and drum trio — A Williamsburg Field Musick colonial-era style fife and drum trio leads a procession along Virginia Street as part of the 12th Urbanna Founders Day celebration. They include, from left, Thomas DeRose of Richmond, Paul Vosteen of Highland County and Lance Pedigo of Williamsburg. (Photo by Don Richeson)

Surgeon-tools — Urbanna Founders Day attendees learned Saturday, Aug. 1, that while battling the British, the Virginia State Navy included a surgeon who had an array of medical instruments to treat battle wounds. Long strands of horse tail hair were used as thread to suture skin cuts closed. The Friends of Urbanna annually puts on the event. To learn more about its educational and preservation activities, visit friendsofurbanna.org. (Photo by Tom Chillemi)

deck-mounted swivel gun — HMS Otter’s encampment during Urbanna Founders Day presented an authentic glimpse of 18th century Virginia State Navy sailors. Their smaller ships were no match in battle for the heavily fortified British “Ships of the Line.” However, the lighter sloops monitored British movements and could sail into the wind to escape and hide in shallow water. Above, Ben Park fires a deck-mounted swivel gun during the Aug. 1 event. (Photo by Tom Chillemi)

Firehawk — Native American descendant Daniel “Firehawk” Abbott talks about colonial-era Native American life as Founders Day attendees listen. (Photo by Don Richeson)

7th century replica shallop — Deltaville Maritime Museum Director of Development Raynell Smith, foreground, directs folks onto the Explorer, a 17th century replica shallop, set up in the mini park off Cross Street. (Photo by Don Richeson)

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The Southside Sentinel has been serving Middlesex County and the adjacent region since April 9, 1896; SSentinel.com since 1997.

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