Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, Prince Philip, duke of Edinburgh, are the latest additions to a celebration marking the 400th anniversary of Jamestown in May 2007, an event years in the making.
The highlight of the celebration will be the weekend of May 11 at historic Jamestown, the Jamestown settlement and at adjacent Anniversary Park. Special exhibits, performances and events have been planned, including the premiere of new symphonic works commissioned for the event and music from a 400-piece orchestra and a1,607-voice choir, said Ross Richardson, spokesman for Jamestown 2007.
The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities will present special programs surrounding its archaeological discovery of the James Fort and its remains, said Elizabeth Kostelny, APVA executive director.
Jamestown’s commemoration began in May 2006 with a replica of the ship, Godspeed, visiting East Coast ports, attracting some 450,000 visitors, Richardson said. There have been hundreds of smaller events throughout the commonwealth, including American Indian heritage festivals and conferences on the African-American influence during the time.
The queen’s first visit to the U.S. as a monarch in 1957 coincided with the 350th anniversary of when English settlers landed in Jamestown. She was met by then Vice President Richard Nixon, witnessed the opening of the Jamestown settlement and visited Jamestowne Island, officials said.
“I am proud that the commonwealth will once again have the high honor and privilege of hosting Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh to commemorate the 400th anniversary of this pivotal moment in our history. Our Jamestown 2007 events will be elevated by the prominence of Her Majesty, and we look forward to celebrating the deep historical and cultural connections between Virginia and the United Kingdom,” Gov. Tim Kaine said in a statement.
The governor spent the past week in Europe promoting the Jamestown celebration to European officials while also trying to boost economic development.
“All we know is she has answered the big question, that she will come some time in May as part of the commemoration,” said Richardson. “I expect in the next weeks and months Buckingham Palace will help us fill in those blanks.”
