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15 Things To Know About Jamestown, The First Permanent Colony in North America

Jamestown is a historic site located in Virginia, USA. It is known for being the first permanent English settlement in North America and was established by the Virginia Company in 1607. The colony in Jamestown eventually grew and prospered through the trade of tobacco which became a key economic activity.

The most notable event in Jamestown include the establishment of the House of Burgesses in 1619, and the Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676. These historical events have turned Jamestown into a popular tourist attraction.

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1. The Significant History of The Town

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The early years of Jamestown were marked by conflict and hardship with the local Native American tribes. The hard conditions of the region made the English settlers feel ill-prepared. These hard conditions included diseases, famine, and attacks from the Powhatan Confederacy. During the 17th century, Jamestown succeeded but slowly began to lose its importance while other colonies took center stage.

When the late 18th century came around, Jamestown was labeled as a little town and the capital of Virginia was moved to Williamsburg.

2. It has Numerous Tourist Attractions

Through the years, it has become a popular tourist destination with many historic sites and museums dedicated to the early colonial period. The museums situated there include the Historic Jamestowne, the Jamestown Settlement Museum, the American Revolution Museum, the Virginia Living Museum, and the Mariners’ Museum. Some of the other tourist attractions include the Jamestown Glasshouse and the Colonial National Historical Park which features scenic views and hiking trails.

3. It has the Most Informative Museums in the Town

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The Jamestown settlement is a living history museum that provides visitors with an immersive experience of the life the people there had in the 17th century. It features a replica of the original Jamestown, a replica of one of the ships that transported colonists, and a Powhatan Indian village which helps visitors learn about the Native Americans.

The historic Jamestowne is the actual site of the first permanent English settlement in America. Tourists are allowed to explore the ruins and view the artifacts. The site teaches visitors a lot about the lives of the settlers.

4. It Became The Centre of Trade

In 1612, John Rolfe introduced tobacco to the people of Jamestown. The crop was used for export to England and led to the growth of the colony’s economy. By mid 17th century, the town had become a wealthy center of trade. At the moment, Jamestown had a population of 1,200 people and the growth of the economy benefitted each of them significantly.

5.  It has Helped The Surrounding Cities Grow Economically

The area was turned into a historic site and a tourist attraction which is operated by the National Park Service. The nearby towns and cities benefit largely from the fame of Jamestown. These towns have also grown economically because of the overflow of tourists that visit the site in large numbers every year. The towns that benefit the most include Lakewood, Panama, Ashville, Kennedy, Falconer, and Celoron.

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6. The Town’s History is Featured in Pop Culture

Jamestown is a British historical drama based on the first English colony of the actual town. The show reflects on the lives of the colonists and their struggle to survive and build a new life in the New World. The series was created by Bill Gallagher and stars Sophie Rundle, Naomi Battrick, and Niamh Walsh. Even though the show has a set of different storylines that don’t actually reflect on Jamestown, the basic idea of the show has brought attention to the history of Jamestown.

7. The Town Has Had Memorable Anniversaries

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On April 30, 1789, George Washington was inaugurated as the first President of the United States and is noted for having strong ties to Virginia. In 1781, He visited Jamestown during the Revolutionary War. Later in 2007, the country celebrated the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown colony. The event was marked by a series of events and activities including archaeological exhibitions, and cultural performances.

8. It has Been Widely Commemorated In The United States

In 2007, the United States Mint issued a series of gold, silver, and bronze coins that were meant to mark the 400th anniversary of Jamestown’s founding. In 2019, a silver dollar was issued to seal the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first Africans in Virginia. Aside from coins, the United States Postal Service issued several stamps that featured Jamestown over the years. In 2007, stamps were released to mark the 400th anniversary.

9. There Are Festive Celebrations Held Annually

Over the years, there have been a number of events that are held in Jamestown. These celebrations are meant to commemorate the history of the town, one of the events include Jamestown Day which is held annually in May. The event features tours, demonstrations, and historical reenactments. There are also numerous events that are held throughout the year. 

10. The Town Has Archaeological Sites

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Jamestown Island is a historic site that has archaeological sites that include the remains of the original 1607 fort. The ongoing archaeological project is the Jamestown Rediscovery which is excavating and studying the remains of the historic town.

The project has revealed many important artifacts and structures, this includes the remains of a 17th-century church. Flowerdew Hundred plantation has been excavated since the 1930s and has revealed the remains of many artifacts including Native American pottery and tools.

11. The Town Was Used as A Fort by the Army

Fort Pocahontas was a Union Army Fortification located on the James River. It was built in 1864 during the American Civil War. The fort was named in honor of Pocahontas the daughter of Powhatan who saved the life of English settler John Smith. Today, the site has been recognized as part of the historic James River Plantations and is maintained by the National Park Service.

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12. It is Interesting that Drinking Water Caused the Early Decimation of the Town

Recent research has shown that the Virginia Company chose to settle on a swath of swampy land with no source of fresh water. The lack of freshwater caused the death of many men leaving only 38 original settlers still alive by January 1608. Scientists shared that the wells used by the settlers had high levels of salt and varying degrees of fecal contamination.

13. The Jamestown Tercentenary Celebration in 1907

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The celebration was held to mark the 300th anniversary of the town. It was organized by the Jamestown Exposition Company which was created by the Virginia General Assembly to plan and manage the event. The celebration lasted several months filled with a lot of events and activities like concerts, pageants, parades, and exhibitions. It was celebrated by people from around the around and was seen as a major success in terms of promoting the culture, and history of Virginia.

14. The Town Was Honored Through an Animation Film

In 1995, Walt Disney Pictures released an animated musical historical drama film that was based on the life of Pocahontas a Powhatan woman. Even though the film romanticizes her encounter with John Smith, it brings to life the story of Jamestown. The film Pocahontas also tells the story of how the Powhatan tribe reacted to the English settlers and the challenges they faced.

15. The Settlers Resulted To Extreme Measures

Archaeologists found the gruesome story of how the colony in Jamestown resulted in cannibalism. The first evidence of cannibalism was revealed by lead archaeologist William Kelso at a press conference. They shared their different theories on what exactly happened in the town but settled on the most gruesome fact. The settlers in Jamestown faced harsh conditions that pushed them to make desperate decisions.

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Jamestown is among the many historical sites in the United States that are still being researched. There are many unknown variables that make the town of high interest. Through the wonders of how they survived and the decisions that influenced their daily life, archaeologists still want to learn more about their time in Jamestown.