Jamestown 400 Years Later: Godspeed Tour
Ever since I was a small child, I was fascinated with the story of the Jamestown Settlers, and how they risked everything in 1607 to come to the New World. Most did not survive the transition. The ones that survived pioneered the freedom and democracy we all enjoy today by instituting the House of Burgesses and adopting English Common Law.
As part of the 400 year National Celebration, the Godspeed, one of the first ships to sail to our shores, will tour the East Coast. The ship will be in Alexandria, VA Old Town Waterfront from May 27-June 3, and I will definitely be going to see them.
From the AP Here:
Godspeed Replica to Tour East Coast
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – A new replica of one of the three ships that carried Jamestown’s founders will set sail May 22 for a tour of six East Coast ports to begin commemorating the 400th anniversary of America’s first permanent English settlement.
The Godspeed is to depart from its home berth at the Jamestown Settlement outdoor living history museum and head to Alexandria, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Newport, R.I. Each port will have a free “Landing Party Festival” featuring live music, family entertainment and historical and cultural displays about Jamestown.
During each port stop, costumed interpreters will give visitors a taste of shipboard life. Visitors also can take a “virtual” voyage using an onshore simulator and use their handprints to design panels for a huge American flag that will serve as a backdrop during the anniversary weekend.
The Godspeed Sail is one of 10 “signature” Jamestown anniversary events. The premier event “America’s Anniversary Weekend,” will take place a year after the sailings, on May 11-13, 2007, a national observance of Jamestown’s founding in 1607.
If you have never had the opportunity to visit the Jamestown settlement, you should.? When you do, try to imagine what it must have been like to tame the surrounding mosquito-infested swamps, eke out a living, survive the harsh weather and find a bride, and try to stay on good terms with the Native Powhattan Indians.
The brave men and women that were able to survive those early days are heroes.
