We rode a ferry across the James River to get to the Jamestown Settlement (I'll just say it was a bad day for Rachel to wear a skirt and I'm lucky to still have my sunglasses since they were blown right off my face). The Jamestown Settlement is a re-creation of the first permanent English colony in the New World. The first settlers arrived in 1607 aboard 3 ships, the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. Only the Captain, officers and crew were allowed on deck; the passengers had to stay below deck unless they had permission from the Captain to go up top. We explored the re-creations of the ships moored at the pier and I'm absolutely certain I would not have survived the trip. Looking past the fact that I wouldn't have been on the ship in the first place considering I'm a woman, I would not have been able to spend 4 and a half months in that cramped up space... sea sick. No thank you! I would have stayed in England.
We also walked around the re-creation of the Jamestown fort which reflects the life the colonists would have lived between 1610-1614. The fort is complete with an Anglican church, a court of guard, a storehouse, a cape merchant's office, a governor's house, and a blacksmith. Historical interpreters throughout the site re-enact the various roles the colonists played, including our friend Charles who showed us how matchlock muskets are fired. Rachel said this was her favorite historical site of the places we've visited so far... but she said that about Fort Sumter yesterday, so I think there might be a trend developing here.
We then walked through a replica of a Powhatan Indian village. A storm passed through the night before and caused a lot of damage to the park. Unfortunately the village wasn't entirely cleaned up but we at least got an idea of how they lived.
We left Jamestown and drove to the lovely little town of Williamsburg, VA. On our way to downtown, we passed by the College of William & Mary and Rachel and I immediately fell in love. Walking around downtown only made us want to move to Virginia even more. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Cheese Shop then walked around Merchants' Square and did a little shopping. I wish we could spend more time in this area but we're off to Appomattox tomorrow. I guess that means we'll just have to come back some other time - I don't think that will be a problem!
The Susan Constant
We also walked around the re-creation of the Jamestown fort which reflects the life the colonists would have lived between 1610-1614. The fort is complete with an Anglican church, a court of guard, a storehouse, a cape merchant's office, a governor's house, and a blacksmith. Historical interpreters throughout the site re-enact the various roles the colonists played, including our friend Charles who showed us how matchlock muskets are fired. Rachel said this was her favorite historical site of the places we've visited so far... but she said that about Fort Sumter yesterday, so I think there might be a trend developing here.
We then walked through a replica of a Powhatan Indian village. A storm passed through the night before and caused a lot of damage to the park. Unfortunately the village wasn't entirely cleaned up but we at least got an idea of how they lived.
The entrance to the Jamestown fort
Matchlock Musket Demonstration
We left Jamestown and drove to the lovely little town of Williamsburg, VA. On our way to downtown, we passed by the College of William & Mary and Rachel and I immediately fell in love. Walking around downtown only made us want to move to Virginia even more. We grabbed a bite to eat at the Cheese Shop then walked around Merchants' Square and did a little shopping. I wish we could spend more time in this area but we're off to Appomattox tomorrow. I guess that means we'll just have to come back some other time - I don't think that will be a problem!
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