2022
Having moved to the East Coast of the United States less than a year ago, we are thrilled with seeing so many historic sites whenever we venture out. Recently, we embarked on a short, three-day trip a few hours from home where we got to see several of the key places that marked the beginnings and end of the English Colonial Period in America.
Lost Colony / Virginia Dare Monument, Roanoke Island, North Carolina
In 1585, the first attempt at a permanent English settlement in America was established on Roanoke Island in North Carolina. Here, in 1587, Virginia Dare, the first child of English parents was born on American soil. This settlement proved unsuccessful and by 1590, it and all of its inhabitants (including Virginia Dare) had completely and mysteriously vanished, causing it to be called “The Lost Colony.” There are several theories about the Lost Colony, but to this day, no one knows for sure what happened to them. A stone monument erected in 1896 commemorates the site of the Lost Colony and Virginia Dare.
Traveling North a couple of hours into the State of Virginia, we visit another monument at a place called “First Landing”.
First Landing Cross, Cape Henry, Fort Story Joint Expeditionary Base, Virginia Beach, Virginia
This monument commemorates the place where, on the 26th of April , 1607, the first permanent English colonists landed - who would establish the Jamestown Colony nearby.
This site is on the property of a U.S. military base (Joint Expeditionary Base Fort Story) and can only be accessed through the main Fort Story gate. All visitors are subject to a background check, security search and must park in a visitor area and take the provided, free shuttle bus to the tourist points of interest.
Also at this location are two lighthouses (the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse, which was the first public works project of the United States, and the new Cape Henry Lighthouse which is currently in active operation).
Visitors are permitted to climb the spiral staircase in the Old Cape Henry Lighthouse and enjoy the views of the New Cape Henry Lighthouse, First Landing Beach, the Atlantic Ocean, and the Chesapeake Bay.
A short walk from these lighthouses lies the First Landing Cross monument (above) as well as a statue of French Admiral Francois Joseph Paul de Grasse, who, in 1781, led the French Navy to a successful victory over the British Navy in “The Battle of the Capes” which was instrumental in winning American independence.
Note: While on the Fort Story Base, photography of tourist sites is permitted, but any photography of military buildings, facilities, vehicles or personnel is strictly prohibited.
About an hour’s drive away, we head into what is known as the Historic Triangle area of Virginia, and make our way up the James River to the first successful English colony:
Jamestown Colony, Colonial National Historical Park, Jamestown, Virginia
In 1607, Jamestown became the first permanent English colony in America, and was the birthplace of Virginia and of the United States of America.
Long considered ruined and lost to history, recent archaeological discoveries have unearthed many of Jamestown’s original building foundations, fortification perimeter footprints, graves and personal artifacts.
There is active archaeological work and restoration in progress and you can watch and talk with the archaeologists as they work on various excavation and restoration projects around the site. There are also monument statues to John Smith and Pocahontas that commemorate their importance and contributions to Jamestown and Virginia.
The Jamestown site is a privately funded archaeological non-profit enterprise and a separate entry fee is required to access the site. The larger area surrounding the archaeological site is run by the National Park Service, which also runs a visitor center and museum outlining the history and showcasing many of the artifacts discovered at Jamestown. A Colonial National Historical Park entry pass fee will allow you entry to the Jamestown Museum and non-archaelogical areas and also allow you access to the Yorktown Battlefield site a short drive away.
Not too far from Jamestown lies Colonial Williamsburg, the early capital of Virginia.
Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia
Colonial Williamsburg is a unique outdoor, living museum of sorts. Several hundred buildings along a few blocks of this historic section of Williamsburg have been meticulously re-built, restored or re-created in the colonial style of the late 17th-, and early 18th centuries.
Horse drawn carriages transport visitors along the streets and “interpreters” in period costume demonstrate aspects of daily life during this colonial period. Larger restored/rebuilt/recreated buildings include the Governor’s Palace, the State Capitol Building and the Bruton Parish Episcopal Church, which still holds weekly services.
Visiting the interior of many of the buildings and interacting with the costumed interpreters at their demonstration areas requires a ticket which can be purchased at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center. Walking the streets, greens and squares and seeing the building exteriors is free.
After walking around and exploring all of the sights, we finished off our visit by watching the colonial fife and drum performance, in which a dozen or so musicians in Revolutionary War Continental Army uniforms performed various 18th century musical military drills.
A few steps from the boundary of Colonial Williamsburg lies the campus of William and Mary College.
Wren Building, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, Virginia
William and Mary College, founded in 1693, the first college in Virginia and the first college in the United States to become a university. Of particular note is the Christopher Wren Building which is the oldest existing higher education building in the U.S.
The Wren building is open to the public, is still in use and houses several classrooms, faculty offices and the Dept. of Religious Studies office. Some notable alumni of William and Mary College include U.S. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and John Tyler.
Less than a half-hour’s drive up the Colonial National Historic Parkway, we ended our tour with the place that marked the end of the English Colonial Period: The Yorktown Battlefield of the Colonial National Historical Park.
Yorktown Battlefield, Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown, Virginia
It was at this location in 1781 that the British Army under General Cornwallis surrendered to U.S. General George Washington to end the American Revolutionary War and establish the United States of America as an independent nation. More of a siege than a true battle, Yorktown saw the British army surrounded and cut off from reinforcements. They soon realized the hopelessness of their position and surrendered.
Earthen fortifications, redoubts, and the nearby Moore House (where the surrender was negotiated) have been restored/rebuilt.
The Yorktown Visitor Center has many informative displays and artifacts including sections of General Washington’s battlefield tent.
Nearby the Yorktown Victory monument commemorates the site and the date.
Overall this was an interesting and educational tour of early American history. Standing on the same sand, soil and streets where our American/English ancestors pioneered, built, lived, fought and died is a fascinating and humbling experience, and I really gained a deeper appreciation of the many challenges these people faced in working to establish a new nation.
Thanks @Annaelisa
As someone who is a Native American tribal elder and also a descendant of English ancestors (German, Irish and Scottish as well), I find this type of American history especially interesting and meaningful!
@Annaelisa @Very interesting to read up on Karl May, and the festival looks like quite the Wild West extravaganza! I wasn’t familiar with Karl May, so thanks for sharing that!
@AdamGT @I believe “America” is named after Italian mapmaker Amerigo Vespucci, whose name printed on one of his maps was mistaken as the name of the continent. As for who “discovered” America (Native Americans will often laugh at that term), the Europeans credited with the discovery were: the Viking Leif Erikson in the 11th century, and Italian Christopher Columbus in 1492, although Columbus never realized he had found a “new world”, he died believing he had landed near the eastern coast of India.
