Virginia’s indigenous tribes were showcased at Machicomoco State Park in Hayes as part of the 2025 Conference of the Association of Southeastern State Park Directors hosted by Virginia State Parks.
About 200 state park system managers from across 13 states attended the four-day conference held in Virginia Beach late last month with field trips to York River, Machicomoco and First Landing State Parks.
The field trip to Machi-comoco, held on Tuesday, Oct. 28, focused on showcasing the crafts, traditions and dances of the eight tribes that were invited to attend.
Prior to the catered lunch, attendees were welcomed to the park by Melissa Baker, Director of Virginia State Parks, and Adam Newland, Park Manager of Machicomoco. In addition, tours of the colonial era Timberneck House were provided by the Fairfield Foundation.

Sam McGowan is one of the cultural keepers of the Mattaponi Tribe. He is the manager of indigenous peoples programming for the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.

Keenan Ste...