“There is such a difference between my country and America,” said Wandafrash Butta a native of Ethiopia, “I love America for its freedom.”
Henricus Historical Park was the proud host of a naturalization ceremony last week on Thursday morning. Fifty-eight people from 31 different countries became U.S. citizens during the first-ever naturalization ceremony at the park.
Because the bicycle races were taking place in Richmond, the Federal Courthouse, Henricus was a fitting standin.
Immigrants such as Butta tenatiously crossed from Ethiopia into Kenya where he was able to emigrate to the United States. His daughter attends Virginia Commonwealth University.
“We were beyond honored to host this distinguished ceremony,” said Charles Grant, the executive director of Henricus Historical Park. “It was a memorable site to watch 58 new American citizens walk through the recreated Citie of Henricus, the same land where some of the first English settlers walked over 400 years ago. We are proud to welcome our newest fellow country men and women while adding this ceremony to our rich heritage.”
Numerous special guests attended the ceremony, including 40 school children who are currently in a special leadership/government program at the Marguerite Christian Elementary School.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Robert McIntosh, Eastern District of Virginia, presented the candidates for citizenship.
In his address before swearing-in the bright faced immigrants at the event, the Honorable Robert McIntosh said, “We are a nation of immigrants and that is the foundation of our citizenship. By birth or by chance, we are all here because of our Freedom.
Commemorating more than 400 years of history, Henricus Historical Park re-creates everyday 17th-century life in the second successful English settlement in North America and in the Virginia Indian site of Arrohateck.
Surrounded by the 810 acre Dutch Gap Conservation Area, the living history museum offers exceptional Pre-K-12 and adult education programs, and both indoor and outdoor meeting and special event space. For details visit www.henricus.org and on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
