Our visit to Historic Jamestown was brief. No fault to what was offered here. We had been here on a previous trip and saw the Pocahontas Statue, the ruins of the church tower and the footprint of the 1607 James Fort. We had worn ourselves out at the Jamestown Settlement, so we decided to skip the long walk to the archeological museum even though it had been of priority interest to us. Instead we watched the orientation film at the Visitors Center. Well done! The theater in the round not only projected images on the wall screens, it also lit the floor with changing images. This center also had a small gift shop where I bought a yellow slipware coffee mug that has become my favorite coffee/tea cup.

From the Visitor Center we drove the causeway road to the Glasshouse. Along the way we saw long leggy birds in the marshy waters. It was a beautiful drive. The Glasshouse is reached by a trail through the woods that allowed us a view of the wide James River. The open-air glasshouse was fully operational. Several workers were moving from the ovens to the chairs where they blow, shape and manipulate the molten glass. We could watch from various angles and listen to an expert explain the activities. At the far end of the building was a sales room. Everything sold here was made here. We learned that the light green shade is the only true color of glass. To achieve clear, or cobalt or amber various metals are added to the mix. Outside along the trail back to the parking lot we saw a display of non-colonial inspired art glass that the blowers here did on the time-off. They are indeed artists.

I have gone to this peaceful area many times in the past, but this year...what the heck! It was so crowded in the new visitor center that we just left and went onto the grounds. To my disappointment, that was just as crowded. I love this place, I love that I am finally able to get to an archaeological site and witness the goings on. This is must for all Americans...it is where our English heritage began (St Augustine was the first true settlement, but it was Spanish).

Wonderful to see the reenactments of how the settlers came to this country. Enjoyed the movie at the beginning, which gave a wonderful overview of the first settlement.

There are actually two parts to this area. The first is the actual settlement run by the National Park Service. There is only a Church that is left from the actual settlement. There is a monument and a ongoing dig onsite. The visitor center in this area is closed due to previous hurricane damage, and will be rebuilt in a safer area later this year. The bay has Bald Eagles to observe for bird lovers. The other area is a restored area that is excellent for learning about Indian and Colonial times. There is an Indian Village and Early American Fort to go through. The Indian Village is maintained by actual Natives that provide a wealth of information. The fort has several workers dressed up as well. There is a cannon in operation that has a demonstration every hour. Onsite are also ships to go through. This ships are still in use today, and if fact one of three had left early in the morning for Newport for a sailing festival. All of us found the ships pretty interesting to go through. There are movies and displays in the large visitor center as well as a restaurant. Again, it got hot pretty early so go as early as possible. The passes paid for the parking in the first area and passes to the second area. I found this particular historical site the best of the three in the area, and I highly recommend this for the kids.

In September of 1996, a team of archeologists led by director Dr. William Keslo announced their discovery of James Fort. Their dig efforts still continue today as part of a public exhibition. Visitors can now stand along side a dig site, converse with archeologists and observe techniques for sifting through the rubbles of time. Just imagine being present during an important finding like the governor’s teakettle! During my visit, the team had found a few cup handles and a piece of china in a pattern they hadn’t come across before.

The visitors’ center and museum is a great place to start any trip to Historic Jamestown. A 20-minute film entitled "Jamestown" gives a brief yet very good overview into the story of this early settlement. For relic lovers, the museum is home to one of the most extensive collections of 17th-century artifacts in Northern America.

Statues and monuments are dotted around the grounds and ruins commemorating important dates and events in this early colony’s history. Some ruins of the early settlement are still visible such as the Jamestown Tower Church built in 1639. Some others have been re-created over the originals still buried underground. This was done in order to preserve the delicate bricks from eroding until a safer means of exposing them is found. Among the other interesting exhibits on display is a complete skeleton from one of the settlers. Visitors can pour over the archeological evidence and determine for themselves who this person was and even the cause of death. There is also a reconstructed glasshouse on site. Here, visitors can observe glass blowing techniques while learning about the New World’s first big industry. The ruins of the original glasshouse built in 1608 are located nearby.

Admission to Historic Jamestown runs about $6 per person, but for $9 per person, a Yorktown combination ticket is also available. The gates are open from 8:30am to 4:30pm daily, but visitors may stay until just before dark.