Virginia Road Trip - Part 1


Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement is the perfect living museum for anyone who is interested in the history and lives of the first colonists in the New World. Prior to my visit to Jamestown, the only knowledge I had of the area was through pop culture i.e. Pocahontas and The New World. Although the two films were historically inaccurate, both were a great introduction to Jamestown and both told of severe hardships faced by the colonists and their volatile relationship with the Powhatan Indians.

Here, we saw a recreated Powhatan Indian Village, three replica ships - Susan Constant, The Discovery and Godspeed who brought the first group of colonists to America, and the famed James Fort, named after King James I.


Powhatan Indian Village

I supposed this is what Pocahontas' village would look like

Fact: Pocahontas' father - Chief Wahunsunacock had many, many children but none as well-known as Pocahontas. She was around 9-12 years old when she met Captain John Smith. She didn't have a romantic relationship with John Smith. If she did, John Smith would have been a paedophile.


Susan Constant

Susan Constant was the largest ship of the two that set sail from England for the New World on December 20, 1606. She brought along 71 male colonists and other vital supplies.


The Discovery and Godspeed

The Discovery (left) was the smallest of the three ships and the "fly-boat" of the British East India Company. Next to The Discovery is Godspeed, another ship belonging to the English Virginia Company that transported about 39 males to the New World.


James Fort

The original James Fort is located in Jamestown Island. This recreated fort is built to closely resemble the original based on archaeological findings and historical research.

Going up into the Fort, we were met by two female colonists selling their produce and other items. Like other colonists, they were trying to "survive" in the New World.

The colonists tried to make their fortune through iron ore, silk production (see cocoons), panning for gold (unfortunately, only fool's gold was found) and tobacco. I think we all know by now which of the above became a lucrative business for Virginia.

Life at Fort James...

Fire arm demonstration, armory and a couple of new recruits :)

Coming up: Colonial Williamsburg