May 9th, 2021 … Summer of Fun continues!

Historic Jamestowne is the actual spot and ongoing archaeological dig, while Jamestown Settlement is a living history museum with an expansive indoor museum and costumed curators who give you hands on learning about life of a colonist, a sailor, or a Powhatan Indian.We drove over to the living history museum at Jamestown Settlement. Near the site of the original colony, Jamestown Settlement tells the story of 17th-century Virginia, from the arrival of English colonists in Jamestown in 1607 to the cultural encounters and events that planted the seeds of a new nation. The world of Jamestown, America’s first permanent English colony, comes to life through film, gallery exhibits and outdoor living history.

The expansive gallery exhibits and an introductory film describe the cultures of the Powhatan Indians, English and West Central Africans who converged in 17th-century Virginia, and trace Jamestown’s beginnings in England and the first century of the Virginia colony. The gallery exhibits, incorporate new historical research and technology, including immersive displays, films and a new “Bacon’s Rebellion” theater. There were signs that said "no photos" in the galleries, so I abided by their rules.

Along the shores of the James River, we were able to climb aboard replicas of two ships that made the historic voyage from England in 1607, the Godspeed and the Susan Constant – the largest of the ships. We learned about each of the wooden ships’ square-rigged masts, tonnage and cargo, as well as shipboard life for the 104 men and boys. The Jamestown Settlement re-creations have been designated “the official fleet of the Commonwealth” by the Virginia General Assembly. While one of the ships sails periodically from Jamestown Settlement to participate in commemorative and community events and host maritime outreach educational programs for students, most of the time all three can be seen at the museum. Whether on the pier or on the main deck, historical interpreters share the four-and-a-half-month voyage from England in December 1606 to Jamestown in May 1607, and periodically demonstrate knot-tying, sail-raising, and 17th-century piloting and navigation.

The original Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery set sail from London on December 20, 1606, bound for Virginia. The ships carried 105 passengers and 39 crew members on the four-month transatlantic voyage. A 17th-century source noted that a total of 71 people were aboard the Susan Constant, 52 aboard the Godspeed and 21 aboard the Discovery. The expedition was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a business venture that had been organized to form a colony in Virginia. The fleet reached the Virginia coast in late April and, after two weeks of inland waterway exploration, arrived at the selected settlement site on May 13, 1607. At the time of the voyage, the Susan Constant was about one year old and was leased from Dapper, Wheatley, Colthurst and other partners. The origins of the Godspeed and Discovery are uncertain. The Susan Constant and Godspeed returned to England in June 1607, while the Discovery remained in Virginia and was used for Chesapeake Bay and coastal exploration.

On our outdoor tour, we were able to explore the Powhatan way of life in a re-creation of Paspahegh Town, based on the archaeological findings at a nearby site along the James River once inhabited by Paspahegh Indians, the Powhatan tribal group closest to Jamestown, and descriptions and illustrations recorded by English colonists in the 17th century. Among a wooded clearing of reed-covered houses dotted with cooking circles, crops and a ceremonial circle of carved wooden posts, discover the world of Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan, powerful leader of 30-some Algonquian-speaking tribes in coastal Virginia and their culture. Costumed historical interpreters discussed and demonstrated how the Powhatan culture grew and prepared food, processed animal hides, made tools and pottery, and wove natural fibers into cordage. They tried to teach us some common Algonquian words, like raccoon, moccasin and opossum … but English is tough enough for me!

Walking inside the triangular wooden palisade of the re-created 1610-14 fort are wattle-and-daub structures topped with thatch roofs depicting dwellings, as well as an Anglican church, a court of guard, a storehouse and a governor’s house. We watched historical interpreters forge and repair metal objects in a blacksmith’s forge, show how matchlock muskets are fired and watched a villager tan some leather products using 17th-century-style tools, engage in domestic activities such as sewing and meal preparation and, outside the fort, cultivate food and tobacco crops.

Some of our group took the free Jamestown Ferry to Smithfield for lunch. Our car decided to eat lunch at Jamestown Pie Company. It is a father and son owned and operated local business located in the historic town of Colonial, Williamsburg, VA. Their priority is to earn and build amazing relationships with their customers and share their passion for Pies. Our goal is simple! Make the best and the freshest dessert pies and pizza pies. Period! Round food is good food! They hope everyone loves their rounds as much as they do!

Stay tuned as our adventures continue!