Our first reaction when we arrived at this museum was being amazed at the size of the building. Then upon entering we understood that the massive exterior was necessary to house the cavernous interior. The only way that they could make this space seem welcoming was to chop down an entire forest for the raw material for the staggering amount of wood trim.
OK you get the picture: it's BIG.
OK you get the picture: it's BIG.
The introductory film outlined the three differing stories of the native Powhatan tribes, the settlers and the slaves imported to these shores (left photo). Don't confuse this with the Masterpiece Theater offering Jamestown, about three different English women of different social classes (right photo).
Despite the common misconception in the Northeast that the Town of Plymouth Massachusetts, founded in 1620, was the first settlement in Colonies, the fact is that the first ships arrived in Jamestown in 1607.
Despite the common misconception in the Northeast that the Town of Plymouth Massachusetts, founded in 1620, was the first settlement in Colonies, the fact is that the first ships arrived in Jamestown in 1607.
The current special exhibition at the Jamestown Settlement Museum, is Tenacity: Women in Jamestown and Early Virginia. The Brides recruited in 1620 and in 1621 by the Virginia Company to wed the male settlers. The women captured and enslaved in Angola who upon their arrival at Jamestown were traded for supplies. They faced uncertain futures in a new land. We will never know their fates as the records only list information about their arrival.
One very effective display technique we are seeing more frequently are life size video screens showing people. By orienting the screens with the longest side vertical, the displays draw you into listening to the person's story.
Curiously enough, we made a mistake in the order in which we viewed the exhibits. It was only when we finished the exhibit about the women of Jamestown that we realized that the main exhibit was on the first floor, not the second floor that we had been directed to go... So, we went downstairs for the massive main permanent exhibit.
Curiously enough, we made a mistake in the order in which we viewed the exhibits. It was only when we finished the exhibit about the women of Jamestown that we realized that the main exhibit was on the first floor, not the second floor that we had been directed to go... So, we went downstairs for the massive main permanent exhibit.
Once we got down to the first floor gallery, we were more comfortable that we were in the right place. Surprisingly how disoriented we were when we didn't see what we expected to see by starting out in the special exhibition. The exhibit was excellent, taking things slowly by first showing the places from which the colonists came and then working into life in the Colony.
In the main Exhibition Galleries we particularly enjoyed the large screen audio-visual presentations. One of those films incorporated images of actual artifacts to illustrate their main points. When the presentation ended we could closely examine those same artifacts in the display cases.
In the main Exhibition Galleries we particularly enjoyed the large screen audio-visual presentations. One of those films incorporated images of actual artifacts to illustrate their main points. When the presentation ended we could closely examine those same artifacts in the display cases.
Harry is partial to pottery (careful all you about to be weds).
Somehow the Indigenous people and African enslaved people are more impressive than the English -- although I suspect that is just in my mind...
Since we had seen the outdoor exhibits (recreations of one of the three ships that arrived in Jamestown in 1607, the James Fort and the Powhatan village) on a previous visit we did not visit them this time. The photos above of the outdoor space at Jamestown and the photos below of the Colonial Parkway are courtesy of the web.
After the museum we drove on the Colonial Parkway from Jamestown to Yorktown. Built between the 1930’s and 50’s back when driving could be recreational it still has that vibe. The speed limit is 45 miles per hour, trucks are not allowed, there are no tolls, you are shielded from views of commercial development, the overpasses are graceful brick arches, and around every curve are water views.
At the actual battlefield site Marsha, who had just finished reading a book about the battle, was thrilled to be able walk along the remains of the second parallel fortifications.
And, thanks to Google, here is how it looks in the Spring/Summer...
Tomorrow we visit the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.