Godspeed, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

The settlers who arrived in 1607, endured a four-month ride on the Susan Constant, Discovery, or Godspeed. 105 passengers and 39 crew lived on these small vessels. Jamestown Settlement's reproductions of each are available for touring each day. It is one of many peeks into the beginning of the first permanent English settlement in the United States.

1607 Atlantic World Map, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement offers a variety of attractions; the fort, a Native American village, and replicas of the ships that brought the settlers in 1607. It also features a fantastic gallery. This map depicts the understanding of the lands in the New World at the time.

Jamestown Settlement Fountain And Flags, Williamsburg, Virginia

This beautiful fountain and flag display adorns the parking lot at Jamestown Settlement. The three ship masts are a tribute to the three replica ships that carried settlers to Jamestown in 1607. Each state flag is displayed along the grassy mall.

Ships Ahoy! Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement offers tours of these replicas of the Godspeed, Susan Constant and Discovery; the ships that carried Captain John Smith and the other settlers to Virginia in 1607 to establish the first permanent English settlement in America.  It also features a beautiful gallery and Native American village.

Yehakin, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement features Native American yehakins depicting their life at the time of the arrival of the settlers in 1607.

Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement portrays life in Jamestown Fort for the 1607 settlers. They also have an Native American village and a top-notch gallery.

Quadricentennial Plaza, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Quadricentennial Plaza at Jamestown Settlement was part of the 400th anniversary celebration of the establishment of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in America. It includes a display of the the flag of each state and three masts representing the ships that brought the settlers in 1607.

Yehakin, Jamestown Settlement, Williamburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement includes a Native American village in its display. This yehakin is among those visitors can tour to see the Powhatan Indian lifestyle in 1607.

The Ships At Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The replica ships at Jamestown Settlement attract a multitude of visitors each year, from locals and tourists to school field trips.  In addition to the ships, Jamestown features a replica of the Jamestown fort, an Native American village, and an incredible gallery.

The Godspeed, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Godspeed is one of three replica ships open to the public at the Jamestown Settlement. Along with the ships they have a fantastic gallery, an Indian village and a recreation of the fort built after the settlers arrived in 1607.

Working The Docks at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement costumed characters work just as the did in the early 1600's.  Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States. There is an active archaeological dig at the actual location on Jamestown Island and the reconstruction of the fort, ships that carried the settlers, and an Indian village representing the daily lives of the Native Americans in the area at the time.

Jamestown Settlement Replica Ship, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement features replicas of the ships used by the settlers in 1607 to establish the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States.  The map shows the path of their trip. The navigational plan was easily stated as, "go south until the butter melts, then go west."

Jamestown Settlement's Replica Ships, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement's replicas of the ships that brought John Smith and the other settlers to Virginia in 1607 as seen from the entry to Jamestown Island where you will find Historic Jamestowne.  Both locales are open to visitors throughout the year. 

Jamestown Settlement features a great museum, an indian village, a replica of the original fort and, of course, the ships.

Historic Jamestowne has an archaearium, church, and an active archaeological dig of actual fort.

The Church at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The church at Jamestown Settlement provides a peek into the religious aspect of the early colonists' lives.  Outside, the bells and thick, thatched roof seem so different from our contemporary churches. Inside is an austere but attractive altar area.  The heavy wooden pews are not comfortable, but provide a good view of the raised pulpit.  Candles are affixed to the rafters for light during evening services.

Crew Quarters Aboard Ship At Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

One question that always comes up when you see the small size of the boats the settlers used to come to Jamestown in 1607, is where did everyone sleep?  This photo shows one of the sleeping quarters on board one of the replicas at the Jamestown Settlement.

Ship Builidng at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

This craftsman demonstrates 17th century ship building techniquest at the Riverfront Discovery area of the Jamestown Settlement in Williamburg, Virginia. 

New Construction at Jamestown Fort, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

As part of its presentation of life between 1610 and 1614,  Jamestown Settlement is working on this large building in the fort, complete with a thatched roof. While the scaffolding may not be 17th century, the finished project will bring the past to life.

The Cook's Quarters on the Susan Constant, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Cooking aboard a wooden ship creates obvious issues.  The cook's quarters on the Susan Constant are claustrobically small and include the brick oven to contain the fireon which he cooked.  The Susan Constant was the flagship of the trio that brought the settlers to Jamestown in 1607.  Replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery can be explored at Jamestown Settlement and are among our favorite destinations in the area.

Jamestown Settlement Cannon and Long House, Williamsburg, Virginia

Inside the fort at Jamestown Settlement, you can see the buildings and weaponry available to the settlers in the formative years.

Store Room at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The settlers at Jamestown were looking for products to send back to England for sale. In this room they stored their goods in barrels, and tobacco - the crop that really made them profitable - hanging from the ceiling.