On a recent spring day, chattering youngsters ran helter-skelter over ground Captain John Smith trod some 400 years ago. The kids were likely having more fun than Smith and his fellow colonists ever did.
The children frolicked at what’s now called “Historic Jamestown” where—on May 13, 1607—104 men and boys established a fort and planted the first viable English colony in the New World.
Some 400 newcomers soon joined that cluster of pioneers. They experienced dreadful hardship. Crops failed, Indians attacked, and the colonists began starving. They grew so desperate that some dug up and ate their dead neighbors’ bodies. Between 1609 and 1610 all but 60 died.
Startling, alarming Jamestown is one of three pivotal historical sites on Virginia’s coast. The other two are Williamsburg and Yorktown.
For those who might not recall and those who have not visited those sites even once, a brief explanation:
Yorktown Battlefield is where colonial troops forced the surrender of England’s supposedly invincible forces in the Revolutionary War. The American victory dealt the blow that finally forced caused England to grant the colonies their independence.
Colonial Williamsburg is the famous and popular restored eighteenth century city where, along with others, America’s first and third U.S. presidents plotted rebellion against England. Actors stage mini dramas in the old town’s sandy streets. The place exudes eighteenth century colonial culture.Jamestown is actually two distinct sites in the same park-like setting: “Historic Jamestown” and “Jamestown Settlement.”
Like Williamsburg, “Jamestown Settlement,” provides “living history” exhibits, costumed guides, and craft shows. Each site offers entertaining films, recorded narratives and dioramas showing how events there fit into America’s story.
Historic Jamestown, though, is the history buff’s and archeologist’s delight. Visitors can see archeologists and their volunteers at work.
Rugged palisades show where the colonists’ initial fort stood. Crosses mark graves, and a lodge made of poles depicts the first colonists’ dormitory.
Historic Jamestown hammers home the reality and challenges facing the pioneer colonists. It also reveals to the unsuspecting the barbarity those Englishmen imported.
There is evidence, for instance, that at least one lawbreaker had been drawn and quartered, meaning he was tied to a horse and dragged to the execution site. He was then hanged until almost dead, and, while alive, cut open so the executioner could pull out his internal organs. Finally, horses were tied to each limp and the victim’s body was pulled apart.
Unlike the pious Pilgrims who settled Massachusetts to escape religious persecution, the Jamestown settlers were part of a business venture. They invaded the Indians’ domain and ultimately reaped vengeance.
Historic Jamestown presents a complex, often surprising but realistic tale of perseverance and greed that eventually mutated into the hard but genteel southern civilization neighboring Williamsburg exhibits.
The place shows that, whatever else you might say, America’s start was dramatic—and amazing.
----Gus Gribbin
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