Monday, March 11, 2013

Jamestown, VA, 3-9-2013

On the road again Saturday March 9 to Jamestown National Historic Park.


The settlers left England in Dec. 1606 and arrived May 13, 1607, looking for a place to settle along the River. They named their settlement Fort James in honor of King James. This is the site of the first permanent settlement in America.


Barracks were erected. After a few weeks there were hostile interactions with the Indians. In 19 days the settlers built a triangle shaped fort.


It was later renamed Jamestown, we were told because that was more appealing to English men and women to come in later years rather than come to a FORT.


The Fort was built in triangle shape with bulwarks in the corners.


The stones outline where the church was erected. Only 38 of the 104 settlers survived the first year.


John Smith was the first leader. He returned to England in 1609.


As a young girl, Pocahontes, daughter of Chef Powhaten, visited in the settlement. In 1611 she was kidnapped. She eventually converted to Christianity. She took the name Rebecca. In 1614 she married John Rolfe. They and their son went to Engand in 1616.


Engraving of Pocahontes done of her in England. She died there in 1617 and was buried in England.


1607 well was in this area. The Fort was an island. A swamp was to the east. Water was said to have arsenic in it along with many, many other impurities.


A skeleton was discovered. Through many tests the researchers are able to determine the sex, type of work, diet and age and year of death.


Five churches have been constructed in this area.


Inside the church, the British seal.


Cross with the inscription: In grateful memory of those early settlers, founders of this nation.

We were so impressed with the artifacts in the Archaerium Archaeology. Museum. Unfortunately we could not take photos. There were two skeletons from the early-mid 1600's. One very memorable item was a quartz arrowhead, it looked like glass!


Jamestown Monument was erected in 1907, 300 year anniversary of the birth of Virginia and the United States.


Glassblowing In 1608.


Case bottle. Was the most common vessel of the time. Using square sided bottles more bottles could be packed in a case.


Spinning the red hot glass.


Shaping the neck with tongs.


Nowadays elements to melt glass can be heated to 2400 degrees overnight. In 1608 it took 2 weeks to achieve a melt.


More glass was added.


Shaping the bottle. When he was finished it the bottle is put in an oven of 900 degrees overnight. The temperature needs to come down gradually or the bottle will crack.


Many items were for sale.











Wow, another amazing day.

We stayed overnight at Walmart in Richmond.

Location:Jamestown & Richmond, VA.

No comments:

Post a Comment