June 2, 2008

Colonial Historic National Park, Jamestown

Today we went to Jamestown Island which, along with Yorktown, is part of the Colonial National Historical Park operated by the National Park Service.

Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first permanent English settlement in North America.

Walking over the footbridge from the Visitor Center into the park, we came to the Tercentennial Monument. It was built in 1907 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown.

Park rangers give informative tours of Jamestown hourly.

The current version of Jamestown's Memorial Church was completed in 1907. The interior of the church contains the brick and cobblestone foundations of the original 1639 church.

Archaeological digs occur regularly on property searching for NEW old artifacts.

Captain John Smith had a colorful past prior to being elected to a one-year term of Governor of Virginia in 1608. That's him on the right.

Pocahontas was about 13 years old when she first visited Jamestown bringing gifts of food from her father. She married John Rolfe at about 19 years of age and died just three years later in England. She is on the right.

These geese are direct descendants of geese who may have lived here in Jamestown in the 1600s.

These row houses were occupied at least from 1650 to 1720. It looks as if they then fell in disrepair.

This is believed to be the site of Swann's Tavern as artifacts such as a brass spigot from casks of beer or cider were discovered at the site.

This is known to be the new theater in the round which opened, along with the new visitor center, in 2007. The theater presents Jamestown: America's Birthplace.

Glass blowing demonstrations can be viewed at Jamestown's Glasshouse.

A video of Jamestown excitement is below!
For more pictures, go to
http://public.fotki.com/Marlonfleenor/1/2008/june/colonial-national-h/ .

To be continued...

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