The first child born to English parents in the New World, Ananias and Eleanor Dare had to of been thrilled on August 18th, 1587, when Virginia Dare came into their lives. Since the late 1930s, Virginia Dare's birthday has been remembered and celebrated annually on roanoke island – especially in the town of manteo.
You can't talk about Virginia Dare's life for long without mentioning the famed The Lost Colony. She was born into the short-lived roanoke Colony, which was a British settlement on you guessed it, roanoke island.
The ultimate fate of Virginia Dare is unknown to this day – although there are many theories – and the mystery of the lost colony remains a well, mystery!
The fact of her birth is known because the governor of the settlement, Virginia Dare's grandfather, John White, returned to England in 1587 to seek fresh supplies. When White eventually returned three years later, Virginia and the other colonists were gone.
In the 428 years since her birth, Virginia Dare has become a prominent figure in American myth and folklore, representing different things to different people. A 2000 article in the Piedmont Triad, north carolina News and Record noted that for many Americans, particularly Southerners, she symbolizes innocence and purity, “new beginnings, promise, and hope” as well as “adventure and bravery” in a new land.
You can learn more about Virginia Dare and The lost colony by securing tickets to the outdoor drama which has been held during the summer in manteo, NC each year since the 1930s. You can purchase tickets on The Lost Colony's website, or on our website.
