Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown, Virginia: Over a decade before the Pilgrims landed on Plymouth Rock, the first European settlers landed on the banks of the James Rivers in Virginia. In 1607, a group of English settlers established Jamestown and the Virginia Colony.

In commemoration to the original settlers, the Commonwealth of Virginia opened a living museum that recreated life in the early village. Opened in 1957, the Jamestown Festival Park was opened just in time for the 350th anniversary of the settlement. The museum was later renamed the Jamestown Settlement.

The site is divided into three sections that covers life in the region during the settlement period. After leaving the visitor’s center, guests first enter the Powhatan Village. The village re-creation shows the life of the Powhatan tribe that resided in the region prior to the English arrival in 1607.

A walk closer to the river brings us to the settlers arrival to the New World. Here you can tour re-creations of the settler’s ships. The Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery are on display in the James River. Each are equipped with period replica equipment and furnishings with interpretations on the four month journey from Europe to the New World.

The final area of the settlement is Fort James. The fort is a re-creation of European life in Jamestown. The fort featured a wooden fence reinforced by cannons to protect from Powhatan attacks. Inside the fort walls are a church, storehouse, office and even the governor’s house.

The visitor’s center features videos and exhibits that enhance the learning experience of the replicas located throughout the site. It also houses the Jamestown Settlement Café and a gift shop.

Because the original site of the settlement was believed to be lost underwater, the Jamestown Settlement re-creation site was built near the entrance to Jamestown Island. It wasn’t until 1994 when archeologists found the site of the original Jamestown settlement nearby. That site is known as Historic Jamestowne and is under control of the National Park Service.

Jamestown along with Yorktown and Williamsburg are part of America’s Historic Triangle. From these three historic places came some of the most memorable moments in early American history.

For more photos, click on the photo above or visit my Jamestown Settlement photo page.

Updated February 12, 2010.

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