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| Captain John Smith Monument |
Four hundred years ago, this pristine riverbank was a cauldron of commerce, culture, and crisis. Historic Jamestown is the 1607 site where America’s birthplace and story began to unfold as English explorers and merchants from the Virginia Company established the first permanent settlement in the New World. Threading lightly on the quiet bank along the James River, the story holding her secrets in the hallowed ground is gradually being uncovered in the archeological digs unearthing its ruins and artifacts.
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| An innovative archaearium above the foundation of the first state house showcases the amazing artifacts excavated from these archeological diggings at the historic site. |
In 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of 104 English men and boys began a settlement here on the banks of Virginia's James River. They were sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, whose stockholders hoped to make a profit from the resources of the New World. The community suffered terrible hardships in its early years, but managed to endure, earning the distinction of being America's first permanent English colony.
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First Anglican Church in the New World still stands after 400 yearsThe original 17th century red brick church tower is the only above ground structure survived over the years. There are monuments honoring the first English settlers, Captain John Smith, Pocahontas, and Reverend Hunt. |
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| Recreated frame shelter overlooking James River |
Three miles away off James Island rests Jamestown Settlement. We strolled through a Powhatan Indian village which lies not far from an English re-created fort interpreting the settlement during 1610-14, reflecting its predominantly military and commercial character.
Inside the triangular wooden palisade were wattle-and-daub structures topped with thatch roofs depicting dwellings, an Anglican church, a court of guard, a storehouse, a cape merchant’s office and a governor’s house.
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| Jamestown Settlement prospered over time as more settlers came to the colony |
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| Susan Constant |
The re-creations of three ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607 are moored at Jamestown Settlement’s pier for visitors to explore. JR found it hard to pull himself away from the vessels. By late afternoon Jamestown Settlement was nearly vacated providing us several good photo opportunities.
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| Shipmate aboard the Discovery |
It was also a chance to board the ships, try on an English armor chest plate and helmet, carry a water bucket, and chat with the English villagers.
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| Sir, would you mind fixing my thatched roof ? |
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| Beats lifting weights |
Four hundred years ago, this pristine riverbank was a cauldron of commerce, culture, and crisis. Historic Jamestown is the 1607 site where America’s birthplace and story began to unfold as English explorers and merchants from the Virginia Company established the first permanent settlement in the New World. Threading lightly on the quiet bank along the James River, the story holding her secrets in the hallowed ground is gradually being uncovered in the archeological digs unearthing its ruins and artifacts.
