DRPT and Amtrak Addded as Virginia's 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution Sponsor

CONTACT
Robin Crawford
2019 Commemoration
robin.crawford@finnpartners.com
PH: (202) 974-5025

Kelsey Webb
Virginia DRPT
kelsey.webb@drpt.virginia.gov
PH: (804) 840-0575

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 29, 2018

VIRGINIA’S 2019 COMMEMORATION, AMERICAN EVOLUTION
ADDS AMTRAK AS STATEWIDE ENGAGEMENT SPONSOR

JAMESTOWN, Va. – Today, the 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution™ announced the addition of Amtrak as a Statewide Engagement Sponsor. The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) is proud to partner with Virginia’s 2019 Commemoration and has provided $50,000 to support the engagement of communities across the Commonwealth in American Evolution programs, events, and education initiatives. Amtrak’s 17 Virginia stations have been added to American Evolution’s Virginia History Trails, a travel and history app.

“We are pleased that Amtrak has joined the 2019 Commemorations as an American Evolution Statewide Engagement Sponsor,” said Kathy Spangler, Executive Director of the 2019 Commemoration, “We look forward to working with Amtrak to bring visitors to sites across Virginia to participate in American Evolution programs and events and also learn about the Commonwealth’s remarkable history and world-class destinations.”

“Railroads have played a central role in Virginia’s history, and we are proud to promote train travel to those experiencing American Evolution,” said DRPT Director Jennifer Mitchell, “The 850,000 annual rides on the Virginia-sponsored Northeast Regional indicate that citizens use and need train travel as a reliable source of transportation. The addition of Amtrak’s Virginia stations to the app also highlights the Commonwealth’s rich train history and the role that rail continues to play in connecting Virginia’s local economies to markets across the country and around the world.”

The 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution™ commemorates the 400th anniversary of several pivotal events that took place in 1619 Virginia, which have had an enduring impact on both Virginia and America’s history. These 1619 events set the state and the nation on a course towards the ideals of democracy, diversity and opportunity and include the arrival of the first recorded Africans to English North America, the First Representative Legislative Assembly in the New World, the recruitment of English women in significant numbers to the Virginia colony, the launch of free enterprise in the Commonwealth, and the first official English Thanksgiving in North America. For more information about the 2019 Commemoration and upcoming events, programs and educational initiatives visit AmericanEvolution2019.com.

About the 2019 Commemoration
The 2019 Commemoration, American Evolution™, highlights events that occurred in Virginia in 1619 that continue to influence America today. Featured programs, events and legacy projects will position Virginia as a leader in education, tourism, and economic development. American Evolution™ commemorates the ongoing journey toward the key ideals of democracy, diversity and opportunity. Dominion Resources is an American Evolution Founding Partner, and Altria Group and TowneBank are Virginia Colony Partners.

About the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation
DRPT’s mission is to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in the Commonwealth through rail, public transportation, and commuter services. DRPT is committed to ensuring that no person is excluded from participation in or denied the benefits of its services on the basis of race, color, or national origin as protected by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

# # #