The statue of Captain John Smith at Historic Jamestowne, Virginia. June 20, 2007.
On our anniversary trip in 2007, Betsy and I went to Virginia. After visiting Jamestown Settlement (a living history museum) we went to Historic Jamestowne, the site of the first English settlement in North America.
I assume that the story of Jamestown is still taught in our schools. We were taught that the settlers were all ‘gentlemen’ who didn’t do anything but look for gold, that the Indian maiden Pocohantas saved Captain John Smith, and that Captain Smith saved Jamestown. We also learned that later almost all the settlers died and the survivros decided to give up and return to England, only to be met by supply ships and new settlers at the mouth of the James River.
There was some truth in what we were taught, but there was also much more. Jamestown survived and grew. The first representative assembly in the New World convened in the Jamestown church on July 30, 1619. In 1624 Virginia became a crown colony with Jamestown as the capital. A “New Town” grew up east of the fort which contained wharfs, warehouses, taverns and merchant’s homes. Jamestown remained the capital until the statehouse burned in 1698. The capital was then moved to Williamsburg and the town of Jamestown began to slowly disappear.
I must admit that it was very interesting and exciting to be at the site of so much history. If you would like to see more of Jamestown, click HERE.
Senior Moments 
August 22, 2009 at 5:23 am |
Now I want to read more American history…
August 22, 2009 at 5:38 am |
Great post George. I am sure we were taught about Jamestown but lol I can’t remember anything about it.
August 22, 2009 at 6:38 am |
George: Neat photo, sounds like a great place to visit.
August 22, 2009 at 6:51 am |
Jamestown is definitely a fun and interesting place to visit…maybe b/c we have more time on our hands we have more patience to actually listen and absorb all that history we plowed thru as kids!! lol I know I love visiting historical places now…more so than when I was a student in school!!
August 22, 2009 at 7:00 am |
One does wonder how much truth there is in some of the older history we were taught. All I know is it is VERY old and interesting. I do like history. NB
August 22, 2009 at 8:10 am |
Interesting. We just saw a PBS show about all this the other night. I’ve been to Colonial Williamsburg, but haven’t made it to Jamestown yet. Love the photos – especially the one of Betsy and Pocahontas!
August 22, 2009 at 4:25 pm |
Great post , enjoyed reading the history.
Thanks George.
August 22, 2009 at 6:12 pm |
You and Betsy had another great trip! I’ve been going back looking at the photos, but will not comment on each one. Walking through history in our country is so interesting and photogenic, too.
August 24, 2009 at 2:12 pm |
I love visiting historical places; also, no matter where I am at traveling I often wonder what the first settlers thought whenever seeing the area. I guess in all honesty, that happens most right here close to home…and I wonder just what the area looked like way back then.