Saturday, May 8, 2010

Jamestown

Jamestown, VA was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The earliest settlers, 104 men and boys, arrived in May 1607. Women came later.


There are two parks at Jamestown - the federal park, located at the exact spot of the original settlement, and the state park, about a mile away. We started out at the state park, where there is a huge museum, as well as an Indian village, and a recreation of the fort.


But what I remembered most from my long-ago visits, were the 3 ships, recreations of the ones that brought the early settlers. You used to be able to get a good shot of the ships from the shore, but now that shot is not available, because of the "natural habitat," (aka WEEDS) that have been allowed to overrun the area.


So I tried to get a shot, but of course the sun was on the other side.


Ah, this is better - I'm on one of the smaller ships, looking back at the Susan Constant, the largest of the ships.


We were allowed to board all 3 ships.


And there were people in period costumes available to answer any questions.


Next we went on to Historic Jamestown, the federal park. There, a fort has been rebuilt on the site of the original fort, along the James River. The statue is of Captain John Smith, the leader of the early colony.


The settlers faced many challenges, desease, starvation and the local Indians. Armor and guns were essential.


A new building is being erected, built in the same way as the early buildings.


A glassblower recreated the settlement's first industry.


All around the area were remnants of original buildings. Actually, the remains are buried under these old bricks, but it was still pretty impressive.


The remains of the Ambler House are original, but it was built later - in the 1750s.

There was lots more to see and do - if you're ever in the area, it's well worth the trip.

9 comments:

  1. We visited there many years ago and your pictures have made me add Jamestown to our list to visit again.

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  2. What a coincidence. We were just talking about Jamestown earlier. An unemployed nephew had gotten a job in Williamsburg last year. Today I asked his mother, who is visiting here in Arkansas, how they liked the area and where they live. She said they really like the area and that they were really close to the James River. It turns out that they live only about a mile from Jamestown.

    We've been there several times and would like to go back to see it again sometime as well as many of the other historical attractions in the area. Unfortunately, most of the time when we go to that part of the country, it's for family visits.

    Great pictures! Thanks for stirring good memories to the surface.

    Mike Goad
    Haw Creek Out 'n About
    Currently at home in Arkansas

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  3. The women were late even in those days!!!

    What a fascinating place living museums are great fun and a wonderful way to learn.

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  4. I visited there when I was in high school (just a few years ago) and am amazed at how much I've forgotten. Thanks for the memories!

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  5. Nice post! Jamestown is really great place, I love their history. And also the photos are beautiful. Thanks for sharing;)

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  6. Great History lesson. Thanks for posting the pictures.

    Dan (Bubbadan)

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  7. I love Jamestown and the surrounding area, I have been on those very boats and somewhere around here I have a souvenir that I got from the glass blower way back then, thanks for sharing!

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  8. We only went to the federal park, so we missed the boats. Shoot!

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  9. I love the old ships so much history in them!!!
    Great photos and lots of info in this post!!

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