Historic Jamestowne | Williamsburg

Historic Jamestowne is the original site of the first permanent English settlement in North America, established in 1607 on Jamestown Island, Virginia. It stands as one of the most historically significant places in the United States-a sacred archaeological landscape that marks the beginning of British colonial America and the complex convergence of English settlers, Indigenous Powhatan peoples, and Africans brought to Virginia in 1619.

It differs from the nearby Jamestown Settlement in that Historic Jamestowne is the actual archaeological site, not a re-creation. The site is managed collaboratively by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia.

🏛️ Core Areas and Features

1. James Fort (1607 Original Site)

This area contains the excavated remains of the first fort built by the settlers. Once believed lost to the James River, the fort’s location was rediscovered in 1994, leading to a landmark archaeological breakthrough.

Palisade trench lines, foundations, and outlines of storehouses, churches, wells, and homes have been unearthed.

Over 1.5 million artifacts have been recovered, such as armor pieces, coins, ceramics, and weaponry.

Burial sites, including those of early leaders like Captain Bartholomew Gosnold and Reverend Robert Hunt, have been found within the fort.

One excavation site revealed evidence of “survival cannibalism” during the Starving Time winter of 1609–1610, providing stark insights into early colonial desperation.

Visitors walk alongside glass viewing platforms and marked outlines of buildings where archaeological teams are still actively uncovering new material. These active digs allow the public to observe and learn directly from archaeologists in the field.

2. Voorhees Archaearium (Archaeology Museum)

Built atop part of the 17th-century Statehouse foundations, this museum houses the most significant finds from the ongoing Jamestown Rediscovery Project.

Rare personal items like signet rings, surgical tools, musical instruments, and pewter.

Items related to early English-Powhatan interaction, including trade beads, copper, and tools.

Exhibits on burial practices, showcasing forensic reconstructions of individuals from the fort.

A haunting exhibit on the “Jane” case, which tells the story of the young girl whose remains bear signs of cannibalism.

Features interactive displays and forensic facial reconstructions, blending science, history, and storytelling.

3. Memorial Church and 17th-Century Tower

The brick church tower, dating from the 1680s, is the only above-ground structure surviving from the early colony. Adjacent to it is the Memorial Church, built in 1907 to commemorate Jamestown’s tercentenary.

Inside, a glass floor reveals the foundation of the original 1617 church.

Plaques and tomb markers commemorate early leaders and the first General Assembly held in 1619-the birth of representative government in English America.

Burials beneath the church include prominent settlers and clergy.

A stained-glass window honors Pocahontas, symbolizing her enduring cultural legacy.

4. New Towne

East of the original fort lies the area known as New Towne, developed after 1620 as Jamestown expanded.

Includes the foundations of large brick homes, warehouses, and the Ambler Mansion, which was burned during the Revolutionary War.

A walk through New Towne reveals how Jamestown evolved from a fortified frontier outpost into a structured colonial town.

Interpretive signs help explain transitions in architecture, trade, and society across the 17th century.

🔍 Archaeology and Discovery

The Jamestown Rediscovery Project, launched in 1994, transformed our understanding of early colonial life. Its findings have revealed:

That James Fort was not washed away by the river as once believed.

How settlers adapted English architecture using Virginia materials.

New data on early diets, illnesses, and interpersonal violence.

Physical evidence of contact and trade with Powhatan Indians.

Ongoing fieldwork allows visitors to see archaeologists at work, attend excavation tours, and even view lab analysis of bones, tools, and soil samples. Jamestown remains one of the most actively investigated colonial sites in the U.S.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Cultural and Human Significance

Historic Jamestowne is a critical intersection of three cultures that shaped early American identity:

1. The Powhatan Confederacy

The Indigenous residents of Tidewater Virginia, led by Wahunsonacock (Powhatan) and later Opechancanough, had a well-established society.

Jamestown was built within Powhatan territory, leading to alternating periods of diplomacy and conflict.

Visitors learn about the 1610s Anglo-Powhatan Wars, and view artifacts of trade, warfare, and cohabitation.

2. English Settlers

The arrival of settlers from the Virginia Company marked the start of English colonial governance, land enclosure, and economic systems in the New World.

Exhibits explore challenges like starvation, disease, and leadership crises, culminating in the 1619 arrival of elected government.

3. Africans in Virginia

In 1619, a Portuguese slave ship brought the first documented enslaved Africans to English North America at Point Comfort (now Fort Monroe).

These individuals were likely Kimbundu-speaking people from Angola.

Interpretive exhibits at Jamestowne explore the earliest African presence and the institution of slavery as it developed in Virginia.

🏺 Other Highlights

🧪 Glasshouse at Jamestown

Near the Visitor Center, a modern re-creation of a 1608 glassblowing workshop displays colonial technology in action.

Costumed glassmakers use wood-fired furnaces to produce bottles, vases, and goblets in period style.

Demonstrates Jamestown’s early attempts at economic self-sufficiency through industrial exports.

🌳 Jamestown Island Drive

A 3–5 mile loop trail allows visitors to explore the wider island by foot, bike, or car.

Scenic wetlands, old farmsteads, and wildlife viewing spots.

Boardwalk trails through marshland with interpretive panels.

Remains of Civil War earthworks, since the island was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces.

🧭 Visitor Experience

Admission includes access to all exhibits, trails, the Archaearium, and archaeology sites.

Interpretive ranger walks cover daily life, leadership struggles, and colonial legacy.

Special events throughout the year include “Archaeology Day,” 17th-century military drills, and commemorative ceremonies.

⏳ Why It Matters

Historic Jamestowne is not simply a historic landmark-it’s an active story still being unearthed. It offers unparalleled insight into the earliest moments of English America: the seeds of democracy, the conflicts of colonization, and the origins of American slavery. As a living archaeological site, it continues to reveal lost chapters of history and reminds us of the complexity, hardship, and multicultural beginnings of the United States.