Help Uncover the Legend of Blackbeard Island
Just off the coast of Virginia Beach lies a small island tied to the stories of Blackbeard and the Golden Age of piracy. Our team of archaeologists is launching the first comprehensive dig of Blackbeard Island to protect artifacts before they are lost to erosion and development. Your donation turns local legend into documented history.
100% of donations go directly to excavation, conservation, and public education in Virginia Beach.
Backed by local historians, university researchers, and coastal preservation advocates.
“Blackbeard Island is one of the few remaining untouched maritime sites on our coast. We have a narrow window to document it.”
— Lead Archaeologist, Blackbeard Island Project
The dig
A rare chance to study a pirate-era shoreline before it disappears
Blackbeard Island is a low, marshy rise in the inland waters off Virginia Beach. Historic charts and oral histories tie this site to early 18th-century privateering, smuggling, and coastal defense. Today, rising seas and storm surge are eating away at the shoreline — taking any remaining artifacts with them.
Our multidisciplinary team will conduct a staged excavation: remote sensing and mapping, targeted test units, artifact recovery, and conservation. Every find will be documented and, where possible, shared with the public through exhibits and educational programs in Virginia Beach.
Your support preserves more than artifacts. It protects a piece of our coastal identity and gives future generations a tangible connection to the maritime past of Hampton Roads.
What your donation funds
- Field excavation equipment and remote sensing surveys
- Artifact conservation and secure storage in Virginia Beach
- Student research assistants from regional universities
- Public talks, school visits, and shoreline-history exhibits
Why it matters
Your gift keeps coastal history above water
When you donate to the Blackbeard Island Archaeology Fund, you’re supporting rigorous science, local storytelling, and long-term preservation in Virginia Beach.
1 island
A single, vulnerable site connecting Virginia Beach to the age of sail, smuggling, and privateering.
3 seasons
A planned three-season dig to map, excavate, and conserve before shoreline loss accelerates.
Countless stories
Artifacts and data that can reshape how we understand piracy and everyday life along the Virginia coast.
Field notes
A glimpse of Blackbeard Island
Remote marshes, tidal channels, and tree-lined ridges hide centuries of activity just minutes from the Virginia Beach boardwalk.
Make it possible
Support the Blackbeard Island Archaeology Fund
Every contribution — whether $25 or $2,500 — directly fuels fieldwork, conservation, and education efforts in Virginia Beach. You’ll receive periodic email updates from the research team with discoveries from the island and invitations to public events.
Blackbeard Island is administered in partnership with local authorities and preservation partners. All donations are processed securely and are dedicated to this project.
Suggested giving levels
- $50 – Supplies for a day of shoreline survey
- $150 – Conservation materials for fragile artifacts
- $500 – Sponsor a student researcher for a field week
- $1,000+ – Underwrite a full test unit on Blackbeard Island
You can also choose a custom amount in the secure form below.
Questions
Frequently asked about Blackbeard Island donations
If you don’t see your question answered here, you’ll be able to contact the project team directly after you complete the donation form.
Is my donation tax-deductible?
Donations to the Blackbeard Island Archaeology Fund are processed through a qualified nonprofit fiscal sponsor. Once you complete your donation, you will receive an email receipt with all necessary information for your records. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation.
How will I know what my gift is supporting?
You’ll be added to the project’s email list, where we share field updates, preliminary findings, photos, and upcoming public events in Virginia Beach. We also publish brief end-of-season reports that outline how funds were used.
What happens if the dig is delayed by weather or permitting?
Coastal fieldwork is always at the mercy of tides, storms, and permitting windows. If a season must be rescheduled, funds are held for the next available window and remain dedicated to Blackbeard Island work only.
Can I bring a school or community group to visit the site?
Access to Blackbeard Island itself is limited for safety and conservation reasons, but the team hosts talks, artifact labs, and shoreline walks in accessible locations around Virginia Beach. After donating, you can indicate your interest in group programming on the follow-up form.
Blackbeard Island Archaeology Fund
Virginia Beach, VA · Coastal heritage, archaeology, and education.
This project is conducted in coordination with local partners and subject to all applicable laws governing archaeological resources and coastal protection.
© 2026 Blackbeard Island Archaeology Fund.
Donate now to help protect Virginia Beach’s maritime past.