The Importance of Jamestown
The founding of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony, in
Virginia in 1607 — 13 years before the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth in
Massachusetts — sparked a series of cultural encounters that helped shape the
nation and the world. The government, language, customs, beliefs and aspirations of these early Virginians are all part of the United States’ heritage today.
Jamestown Today
Historic Jamestowne preserves and interprets the original site of the first
permanent English settlement in the New World through ongoing archaeology
at the 1607 fort site, walking tours and museum exhibits featuring artifacts
from Jamestown excavations. The site is jointly administered by the National
Park Service and Jamestown Rediscovery on behalf of Preservation Virginia.
Jamestown Day
May 14, 2016
A jointly sponsored event at
Historic Jamestowne & Jamestown Settlement
Jamestown Settlement is a living-history museum of 17th-century Virginia
that tells the Jamestown story though film, gallery exhibits and interpretive
programs in outdoor re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, 1607 ships and
1610-14 fort. The museum is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown
Foundation, an educational agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Historic Jamestowne
1365 Colonial Parkway
Jamestown, VA 23081
(757) 229-0412
www.historicjamestowne.org
Colonial National Historical Park
P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, VA 23690
(757) 898-2410
www.nps.gov/colo
Jamestown Settlement
Route 31 South at Colonial Parkway
Williamsburg, VA 23187
(757) 253-4838 or toll-free (888) 593-4682
www.historyisfun.org
Commemorating the 409th anniversary
of the 1607 founding of Jamestown,
America's first permanent English settlement.
Jamestown Settlement
Historic Jamestowne
Film and gallery exhibits trace the Jamestown colony’s first century when Jamestown
served as the capital and the convergence of Powhatan Indian, European and African
cultures. Visit re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, 1607 ships and 1610-14 fort.
Explore America’s Birthplace
All Day
Discover the story of Jamestown by touring the Visitor Center exhibition gallery
and the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium Museum, Memorial
Church and archaeological site of the 1607 James Fort, and the waysides of
New Towne.
Celebrating Our Ships
All Day
Building a re-created 17th-century ship is an amazing feat of skill. Enjoy an exhibit
highlighting the 25th anniversary of Jamestown Settlement’s Susan Constant,
commissioned in 1991, and the 10th anniversary of the Godspeed, commissioned in
2006. Robert V. Hatcher, Jr., Rotunda
Free Enterprise and Early Industries
All Day
Experience the work of craftsmen at the Glasshouse and James Fort site as they
demonstrate glassmaking and blacksmithing as practiced during Jamestown’s
early years.
Explore Jamestown Settlement
All Day
Discovery Sets Sail
10 a.m.
An artillery salute signals the departure of Discovery from the ships’ pier to demonstrate
sailing maneuvers in the James River through mid-afternoon. Ships’ Pier (Weather
permitting)
“Godspeed to Jamestown”
10:30 a.m. & 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 & 3:30 p.m.
A documentary from A&E Television Networks’ History® chronicles the 2004-2006
construction of Jamestown Settlement’s replica Godspeed. Elmon and Pam Gray
Presentation Hall
Period Games
10:30 a.m. – 12 noon and 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Join in fun and games of the 17th century, including hoop rolling, bowling and quoits.
Riverfront Discovery Area
Comparative Fire Starting
11 a.m.
Could you start a fire with friction or flint? Learn how Powhatan Indians and English
settlers started fires more than 400 years ago. Powhatan village
The Rule of Law
12 noon
Discover the evolution of representative government from the earliest days at
Jamestown to the establishment a legislative assembly in 1619. Fort
Ranger Walking Tour
9:30 a.m. and 12 & 2 p.m.
Take a guided Park Ranger tour to gain unique perspectives on the history of
Jamestown.
Children’s Dig Box
10 a.m. – 12 noon and 2 – 4 p.m.
This “field work” for children will be focused around a simulated archaeology dig.
Here, kids will practice digging techniques, participate in screening activities and
develop the knowledge necessary to identify archaeological features, artifacts and
stratigraphy.
“The Buried Truth”
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Share in the moment of discovery at the original 1607 James Fort. Meet the
Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists and learn about ongoing excavations and
the latest discoveries.
Native Lifeways of the Chesapeake
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Meet Dan Firehawk Abbott of the Nanticoke people of Maryland’s Eastern Shore
and learn about the material culture and lifeways of Tidewater Algonquians and
their interactions with the settlers of Jamestown.
Celestial Navigation
1 p.m.
Take a noon sighting (we’ll explain) to learn how English sailors navigated across the
ocean in the 17th century. Ships’ Pier
A New Life in the New World
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Learn firsthand about the trials of the first English settlers and their experiences
exploring the Chesapeake from Anas Todkill, one of the settlers who explored the
bay with Captain John Smith.
Artillery
2 p.m.
An artillery firing celebrates the Susan Constant’s 25th birthday and the Godspeed’s
10th birthday. Ships’ Pier (Weather permitting)
New Happenings at the Archaearium
10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Join the curatorial staff and view artifacts from the archaeological collection and
learn the stories of their discovery.
Comparative Weapons
3 p.m.
Discover the advantages and disadvantages of period weapons used by the Powhatan
Indians and English colonists. Fort
Archaeologist Walking Tour
10:30 a.m. and 1:30 & 3 p.m.
Join an archaeologist for an in-depth tour of the 1607 fort site and learn about this
season’s excavations and new discoveries. Tours continue on Sunday, May 15, at
11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Trade Between Cultures
4 p.m.
Learn how Powhatan Indians and the English settlers overcame language barriers to
trade goods in the 17th century. Powhatan village