Sharp's Travels

Our destination today was Jamestown Settlement and historic Jamestown in Virginia.
When we arrived at Jamestown Settlement we had time to watch the introductory film before we met with our costumed guide that led us to the Powhatan Indian Village. She showed us the ceremonial dance circle and told us how they planted their food. We were led into the village. It consisted of several dwellings. We went in to check a few of them out. There was also a gal explaining how they hollowed out a tree to use as a canoe. There were also demos on cleaning skins and rope making.
We headed down the trail and were met by another costumed guide that led us to James Fort. It was a re-creation of the one constructed by the Jamestown colonists on their arrival in 1607.
Inside the wooden stockade are small thatched roofed houses, including the church, a storehouse and an armory. We visited the blacksmith and a gal preparing the daily meal.
We walked to the waterfront and went aboard the replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed and the Discovery. These were the shops that brought the settlers to Virginia. It took them 4 ½ months to sail to Virginia from England. These ships were managed by crews living and working on the main deck while passengers remained below with the cargo.
We stopped at the Glassblower to watch costumed craftsmen demonstrate the 17th century art of glassblowing. It took them no time at all to make a small vase. They did some gorgeous work. Their ovens were built just as they were back in the 17th century.
Historic Jamestown was on down the road a little further. It is the original site of the James Fort, the first permanent English settlement in 1007.
Park Rangers conduct guided tours of the site. Our guide was fabulous. Ruins of the early settlement are still visible, including the brick tower of a church built in the 17th century.
There are statues and monuments of important personalities. So far they have unearthed 1000’s of artifacts, some of which are on display in their new museum.
It was another long day of walking. We got back to the 5th wheel around 4:30pm. I got supper and we settled in for the night.
Gay has uploaded pictures of the day. See album: Jamestown