The first permanent English Settlement in America, Jamestown was founded in May of 1607, thirteen years ahead of the Pilgrims landing at Plymouth. Though others came before, it was at Jamestown that our country¹s language was established, our first representative government was formed and our first laws were enacted. Jamestown was truly the beginning of what we now know as the United States of America. Through harsh conditions of draught, brackish water, disease, starvation and hostilities with the native population, the colony at Jamestown almost failed. Each time it was on the brink of extinction, the tide would turn with new provisions, an influx of new colonists and an awakening knowledge of the natural resources that surrounded the settlers who were far from their homeland. By 1619, Jamestown had established itself as the capital of the English colony of Virginia.

In 2007, the world will come to celebrate Americas humble beginnings at Jamestown. As the quadricentennial anniversary of its founding, Jamestown's 400th commemoration will certainly draw large crowds, not just during the "Landing Day" and anniversary week in mid May but throughout the year. The recent discovery of the original fort foundations on Jamestowne Island along with thousands of artifacts and the stone foundations of an impressive "long" house structure, the Jamestown Rediscovery Project sponsored by the National Park Service and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities has added greatly to the knowledge of Americas first permanent English settlement. A new Archaearium to house these finds is being constructed on the Island in time for the 2007 festivities. Just across the causeway from the Island is Virginia¹s own living history museum honoring the founding of the colony, Jamestown Settlement. A new visitors complex has been completed which houses treasures exploring the Old World foundations of the colony and the New World - before and after the colonists arrival. Full-size replicas of the Jamestown fort, the colony¹s three ships, Susan Constance, Godspeed and Discovery and a representation of a Powhatan Indian Village lets visitors explore the conditions and experience part of what the first settlers and Native Americans encountered in the early 1600s. One of the colony¹s earliest industries was a glasshouse and a working reproduction of the glass making "factory"is also part of the Jamestown Settlement complex. Only eight miles south of Williamsburg, Jamestown is surrounded by the James River, National Park and State land holdings which are ringed by quiet residential areas. The closest hotel and resort accommodations are to be found in and around Williamsburg. Only minutes from Jamestown via the Colonial Parkway and Jamestown Road, our Williamsburg lodgings can accommodate most any family or group, but rooms for this event will fill up fast. During the 350th Anniversary, Jamestown was honored by a visit from Queen Elizabeth II and numerous heads of state. During the 300th Anniversary, the event was a World¹s Fair celebration called the Jamestown Exhibition which was attended by then President Teddy Roosevelt, Secretary of War William Howard Taft, William Jennings Bryan, Mark Twain as well as Ambassadors and world leaders. It was also the Jamestown Exhibition that launched the famous world tour of the United States Navy¹s Great White Fleet. Join the world in honoring America¹s beginnings and celebrate the 400 years of Americas promise - Jamestown - the birthplace of a nation.

On the southwestern end of the Colonial Parkway lies Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement in the New World. In 1607, the settlers leader Captain John Smith, (yes, the one connected with Pocahontas) scouted out the island for possible settlement. They felt they were far enough inland to avoid contact with the Spanish fleet that patrolled the coast. The draft was deep enough in the newly named James River for the colonists to moor their three ships - the Susan Constant, the Godspeed and the Discovery - to trees on the island, convenient for off-loading supplies and ideal to facilitate a speedy getaway if the need arose.

The captain may have had some savvy, but the colonists were ill-equipped to be settling in a wilderness. Many were gentlemen who knew nothing of hard labor, much less how to build a house, or plow a field, fortunately they could hunt and fish, a "sport" they were familiar with in England. However, because of the brackish water, that led to saltwater poisoning and resulting weakness created susceptibility to deadly disease, many of the settlers died from fevers and dysentery. Captain Smith was wounded when his powder bag exploded and was sent back to England, where he wrote his adventurous memoirs which inspired more settlers to cross the sea to Jamestown. During the next few years, even with trained craftsmen and farmers, there were similar cases of illness in the colony. Plans were made to abandon the town in 1610, when only 90 remained of 350 settlers who had come the year before. At that point a new governor arrived and forced the remaining settlers to stay, which succeeded in turning things around and the colony was permanently established.

Historic Jamestowne on Jamestown Island is co-administered by the Colonial National Historical Park (National Park Service) and the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities.The National Park Service also maintains the 1608 Glasshouse, which is located off the Parkway, just before the approach to Jamestown Island. The original town site has been preserved and 20th century bricks outline the excavated foundations of the 17th century homes. The Church Tower of 1639 still stands along side a 20th century reconstruction of the first brick church.

The Jamestowne Visitor Center and Museum contain an extensive collection of 17th century artifacts and more continue to be found on the site. The most exciting part of the Island experience is perhaps the newly-discovered site of the original fort. Excavations are being explored seasonally. Known as the Jamestown Rediscovery Project, the site has yielded over 300,000 artifacts since 1996, and only a portion of the fort has been explored. From the skeleton of a 17th century settler to a 1601 Irish penny, helmets to blue glass beads, the finds are shedding new light on life in the early 17th century. And in just a few years, Jamestown will have gained even more insight to its past, just in time for the celebration of its 400th Anniversary in 2007. (Some Jamestown Island artifacts were damaged in flooding during Hurricane Isabel and are being restored. A new museum construction on the Island is planned for completion by 2007)

Admission to Historic Jamestowne is $6.00 per person (17 and older) / Combination Pass: (Both Jamestown Island & Yorktown Battlefield) $9.00 for adults (17 and over) 757-229-1733 or 757-898-2410 (Golden Eagle Passes, Golden Age & Golden Access Passports are honored)

Jamestown Settlement, administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a recreation of life in the area during 1607. Indoor exhibits chronicle 17th century Virginia. The English Gallery describes the situation in the Old World and England which lead to the colonization of the New World. The Powhatan Indian Gallery explores the life of the native people prior to the arrival of the English. The Jamestown Gallery focuses on the life of the colonists from the early beginnings of the settlement to the eventual move of the seat of government to Williamsburg in 1699. An introductory film accompanies the museum viewing.

Three outdoor living-history areas staffed with costumed historical interpreters provide a window to the past. The Powhatan Indian Village displays such processes as crop-growing, tool-making, canoe-building and the preparation of hides. Down the hill from the village are re-creations of the English settlers' three ships, Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery. The fort, with its wattle-and-daub houses, cannons, muskets and armor shows how early settlers survived and eventually thrived in the wilderness.

Admission to Jamestown Settlement is $11.25 for adults and $5.50 for children (6-12) Combination Pass. (Both Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center) $16.00 for adults and $7.75 for children (6-12) 757-253-4838

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