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Jamestown Settlement

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not2creative
not2creative
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5 out of 5
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2
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Editor Pick

Jamestown Settlement

  • November 26, 2007
  • Rated 5 of 5 by two cruisers from Ames, Iowa
Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement took us by surprise with its variety of educational and entertaining experiences. This living history museum celebrates the 1606 arrival in the New World of 105 men and boys aboard three ships out of London, England.

In the beautiful brick Visitors Center we first viewed a film emphasizing the rigors of starting the colony. First there was the indigenous culture that at times was friendly and at times deadly. The climate problems, heat, humidity, mosquitoes, and no source of good fresh water at the selected site were hard to live with. The colonists had to deal with a long drought that made crop raising difficult. They failed at several attempts at industry (including glassmaking) until they finally succeeded at tobacco cultivation. There was much bickering and “politics” in the early years. Only after women were imported did the colony mellow. In 1619 African slaves were introduced to the colony and from then on became a significant part of the southern colonies economy and culture.

After the orientation film we were given the opportunity to join a tour group or to visit the living history park on our own. This consisted of three major areas: 1) recreation of a Powhatan Indian Village; 2) recreations of the three boats, Susan Constant, Godspeed and the Discovery; 3) recreation of James Fort. All three had costumed interpretive guides who busied themselves with work of their area but would pause to talk and answer questions. We saw rope making, sewing, wood whittling and flint chipping in the Powhatan settlement. On board the boats the guides mainly made sure no one fell overboard or bonked their heads going below deck. At the fort we saw carpenter, blacksmith, and heard often the musket firing demonstration.

These activities filled up the morning. Fortunately there is a large museum café in the Visitors Center. It had pizza, burgers, sandwiches (including crab cake), salads and absolutely the best bread pudding with raisin sauce I have ever had. Lunch for two with one beverage and one dessert was $15.76.

After lunch we visited the impressive galleries. Here the emphasis was on the three major cultures that were so important to the forming of the colony: English, African and Powhatan.

Before leaving Jamestown Settlement we shopped their excellent gift shop. Unfortunately it coincided with at least a 100 grade schoolers on tour all trying to find a souvenir or snack. The noise level was painful and trying to get from Point A to Point B was nearly impossible. Grade school teachers are indeed saints.

Cost for a double pass to Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center was $31.90 for two seniors.

From journal Six Parts of the Historic Triangle

Editor Pick

Jamestown Settlement

  • October 16, 2005
  • Rated 5 of 5 by not2creative from Leesburg, Virginia
Jamestown Settlement

You can start anywhere, but we decided to watch the film first. It is called "Jamestown: The Beginning." The film gives an overview of the colony's first years. It talked about the first settlers and the hardships they endured. After viewing the film we went on to the exhibits - they would have been much more enjoyable if it wasn't so COLD in the building.

After looking through museum we continued outside where we first visited the replica Indian Village. They didn't live in teepee's but rather yehakins, which are reed-covered houses (I was impressed). Kids can grind corn or try planting in the garden.

From here we walked to the James Fort, where we watched a matchlock musket be fired. The kids tried on the armour. There are historical interpreters throughout the settlement.

The last activity was the highlight of my trip, when we got to board The Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, re-creations of three ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607. They were SO small. It was unbelievable that so many people were on these small ships that took more than 4 months to cross the ocean.

From VA Beach take I-64 west to Exit 242A. Follow Route 199 for 5 miles. Turn left at the fourth traffic light onto Jamestown Road. Parking is free. The settlement is open from 9am to 5pm. Bring a sweater, as the museum was REALLY cold. This is about 60 miles from Virginia Beach and well worth the trip!

From journal Virginia Beach - Ocean Key Resort

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