Attraction Guide: Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, United States

Jamestown Settlement Guide

Discover America's Origins: Explore Jamestown Settlement Guide

Journey back to the dawn of English America at Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum that tells the story of the first permanent English colony in North America. Explore reconstructed ships, a Powhatan Indian village, and the James Fort, immersing yourself in the challenges and triumphs of the early settlers and the Native Americans who shaped this land. It's a powerful and moving experience that sheds light on the complex beginnings of the United States. Jamestown was founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London. The early years were marked by hardship, disease, and conflict with the Powhatan Confederacy. Captain John Smith's leadership and the introduction of tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe helped the colony survive and eventually thrive. Jamestown served as the capital of Virginia until 1699, when it was moved to Williamsburg. The Jamestown Settlement museum was established in 1957 to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. At Jamestown Settlement, you can board replicas of the three ships that brought the colonists to Virginia: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. Explore the re-created James Fort, complete with thatched-roof buildings, blacksmith shop, and church. Visit the Powhatan Indian village to learn about the culture and way of life of the Native Americans who inhabited the region. Costumed historical interpreters bring the past to life, demonstrating skills, sharing stories, and answering questions. While not specifically a culinary destination, the settlement offers opportunities to learn about the foods and cooking methods of the early colonists and Powhatan people.