Thousands of people from around the world converged on Jamestown, Va., on Friday to immerse themselves in history and celebrate the 400th anniversary of Great Britain’s first permanent settlement in North America.
The English were not the first to set up a colony in the New World but they were the first to stay. The Spanish, who had already established themselves nearby when the Jamestown settlers landed in May 1607, deserted their colony after failing to find gold. The village founded by the English, with some help from the Powhatan Indians and African slaves, gave England a solid foothold on the continent that eventually grew into the United States of America.
Jamestown Settlement park is re-creating the 17th century conditions those colonists lived in for the thousands of tourists expected to visit this weekend. Musket fire can be heard from nearby demonstrations and replicas of the three, relatively small ships that carried the colonists to Jamestown are available to tour. There are dozens of presentations on life in the 1600s, including a look at how some of the era’s handmade tools and instruments are used.
“You have to be patient; there were no instant microwave ovens in 1607,” Jamestown interpreter Anastasia Triantafilos, who wore traditional Indian garb, said to a group of children while preparing to cook corn cakes on a heated rock. “This is the Indians’ version of a frying pan.”
Unlike previous celebrations, organizers of this year’s anniversary festivities made sure to include tributes to the Indians, slaves and others who played roles in Jamestown’s success. About 60 Polish-Americans came from Chicago and other cities to Jamestown this weekend to honor the five craftsmen who arrived in 1608 at England’s request to teach the colonists manufacturing skills. In 1619, the Poles staged what is probably the first labor strike in the New World, successfully demanding the right to vote.
“That proves how important the Polish craftsmen were if they were Catholic,and not British, and still got the right to vote,” said Lucjan Niemiec, leader of the Polish-American Jamestown Community. “They were brought over to save the settlers. Today we celebrate as Americans with Polish roots.”
While the historical displays, authentic demonstrations and colonial flavor of the festivities can take people back in time, some symbols of modern society can be found. Fans of horses, Budweiser or both could have their pictures taken with Clydesdales named Dillon and Rudy.
