Historic Jamestown — The Lost Parchment

Your parchment quest begins near the Tricentennial Monument, erected in 1907 to mark the 300th anniversary of Jamestown's founding. This major landmark guides you to Historic Jamestowne, the archaeological site of James Fort, founded in 1607. Here, the Jamestown Rediscovery project, which rediscovered the fort in 1994 after it was believed lost, continues its active archaeological digs with over two dozen staff members. You observe archaeologists at work, searching for the remains of the first permanent English colony in North America, a pivotal piece of American colonial heritage for Virginia.

Continuing your search, you arrive at the Jamestown Church Tower, the only 17th-century building still standing on the site. Built between 1639 and 1662, this brick tower served as an essential landmark during the fort's rediscovery in 1994 by Preservation Virginia, which acquired 22.5 acres of Jamestown Island in 1893. Its walls tell the story of the first parishioners and the challenges faced by the Jamestown colony, offering you a glimpse into the rituals and daily life of that foundational era.

The trail then leads you to the Statehouse Site, the location of Virginia's first colonial capitol. Ongoing archaeological excavations at this site document the administrative and political evolution of Jamestown, revealing the foundations of a government that shaped colonial Virginia. Nearby, the Glasshouse, an early 17th-century glass production structure, testifies to one of the colony's first industries, highlighting the ingenuity of the settlers in establishing a sustainable economy.

Your exploration of American colonial heritage brings you to the Archearium, the on-site archaeological museum. This museum, housed at Historic Jamestowne, contains artifacts excavated from the fort, including armor, household items, coins, and skeletons. A visit of at least 45 minutes is recommended to explore these treasures and understand the archaeological discoveries. Here you visualize the fruits of Jamestown Rediscovery's efforts, a key component of your understanding of life in Jamestown and the constant threat of erosion from the James River.

Your journey concludes near the Captain John Smith Statue, a monument dedicated to the military leader and explorer (1580-1631), a central figure in Jamestown's founding. As you gaze at the James River Waterfront, the historic 1607 landing point and vital commercial route, you realize the scope of the history you've traversed. This visit to Historic Jamestowne, jointly managed by the National Park Service (Colonial National Historical Park) and Preservation Virginia, offers a unique immersion into the First permanent English colony in North America, a 1607 historic monument where every step resonates with the past.