Historic Jamestowne is celebrating Virginia Archaeology Day this Saturday.
Along with a day of archaeology-themed activities, guests can visit the Glasshouse of 1608 and Historic Green Spring for a weekend of special activities and programs that include a variety of tours, activities and encounters.
Jamestowne will be offering several programs in different locations through the weekend, with some geared towards children. Historic Green Spring, the site of the estate of Governor Sir William Berkeley, will also be open for limited hours.
Archaeology Day is sponsored in part by The Edward Maria Wingfield Endowment Fund, which was established by The Wingfield Family Society to honor Wingfield as a soldier, an investor and as Jamestown’s first president.
Programs include:
- The Buried Truth, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Share in the moment of discovery at the original 1607 James Fort. Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists are onsite to highlight the finds of the 2012 field season at the fort site.
- Native Lifeways of the Chesapeake, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Learn about the material culture and life ways of the Tidewater Algonquians in early Virginia. Daniel Abbott, a Nanticoke descendant, provides demonstrations of toolmaking, domestic skills and more.
- Meet a Settler, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Step back in time with Anas Todkill and learn about his experiences as one of the first English settlers at Jamestown.
- Forged in History, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Blacksmiths demonstrate iron smelting, one of the trades practiced by the early settlers.
- Artifact Adventures at the Archaearium, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join archaeological conservators to learn how artifacts make it from the field to exhibit and learn about the tools used to conserve them at the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium. Assist archaeologists sorting through the smallest excavated material to find animal bones, shell and seeds for clues to fort life in the 17th century.
- Archaeologist Walking Tour, 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Join an archaeologist for an in-depth tour of the 1607 fort site and learn about this season’s excavations.
- Jamestown Jones, noon and 2 p.m. Saturday and noon and 3 p.m. Sunday. Indiana’s older (and slightly less well-known) brother leads a family-friendly tour highlighting Jamestown’s role in the development of historic archaeology. Learn how archaeology, artifacts and historic documents bring Jamestown’s story back to life.
Special children’s activities offered throughout the day include:
- Survivors: A Jamestown Adventure, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Can you survive in the New World? Start your adventure at the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center and find the keys to survival as you explore Jamestown Island. Will you find the resources and supplies to save the colony and yourself? Collect your reward when you complete the adventure at the Nathalie P. and Alan M. Voorhees Archaearium and find out if you are a survivor!
- Dig Box, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Learn about the process of historic archaeology by using the same techniques and guidelines used by archaeologists at our kid-friendly Dig Box.
- Make A Pinch Pot, 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Learn how the American Indians made and used pottery. Participants will make a pot using the pinch method employed by American Indians.
Glass House of 1608
The Jamestown Glasshouse of 1608 will also be open between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for special activities and demonstrations highlighting the importance of the glass industry and its development at Jamestown.
Glassblowers make 17th-century German style drinking vessels and demonstrate the Italian glass techniques using colored glass rods to make delicate designs. In addition, there will be opportunities to observe how 17th-century window pane glass was made, create a design that the glassblowers will make and participate in a raffle for prizes.
Historic Green Spring Open House
In addition to the weekend activities at Historic Jamestowne, guests are invited to visit Historic Green Spring , the site of the estate of Governor Sir William Berkeley, between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Friends of the National Park Service for Historic Green Spring host this annual open house on the grounds of the 17th-century plantation, where the colonial government met after Nathaniel Bacon destroyed Jamestown in 1676. Normally not open to the public, the open house provides an opportunity to visit this important historic site. Guests meet Governor Berkeley and Lady Frances Berkeley and enjoy exhibits and family activities. Admission is free.
Since there is no parking at Green Spring, guests park at the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center and ride a courtesy shuttle bus to the site. Admission and the shuttle to this event are free.
Admission to Historic Jamestowne is $10 per adult (which includes both Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield). Children under age 16 are admitted free. America the Beautiful National Park passes are accepted. Preservation Virginia members are also admitted free. For further information, call (757) 229-4997 or 898-2410 or visit the Jamestowne website.
