THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION

THE JAMESTOWN EXPOSITIONBy James Hines

By James Hines

It would be impossible to estimate the loss to the world had the first white English-speaking settlement, founded at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, resulted in failure. Had it been abandoned, as was once the intention of the surviving colonists, it would have had a deterrent effect on similar and subsequent expeditions, and would have changed the complexion of American history.

Those who comprised the first settlement encountered almost insurmountable obstacles before reaching these shores. For months they braved the perils of the sea, and were buffeted by storms, but their heroism and tenacity of purpose never faltered. The real test, however, of endurance was manifested after landing and in establishing the settlement that definitely dates the United States.

During December, 1606, this history-making party sailed from England, and on May 16, 1607, they landed on a peninsula which juts into the James River. They named the place Fort James. Subsequently it was called James City, and finally James Town. For nearly two centuries it has been an island, and for more than two hundred years it has been abandoned. Two fires destroyed the town, one during Bacon’s rebellion, in 1676, the other an accident, twenty years later, after which the seat of government was moved to Williamsburg. The ruins of the old church tower remain on the site,—a crumbling monument of the first colonial settlement. The excavations showing where the Governor’s mansion and the House of Burgesses stood; the Ambler mansion, twice destroyed by fire, and the old graveyard, with its historic tombs and inscriptions, are still to be seen.

The work of these hardy pioneers in establishing the colony was often interrupted by savage attacks of Indians, and their energies were greatly impaired by fever and lack of necessary sustenance. Indeed, so greatly had their ranks been depleted that, when Newport arrived from England, a few months later, with men and provisions, but thirty-eight of the original party were alive. It was greatly due to John Smith, the heroic leader, that the settlers held out as long as they did.

An untimely accident deprived the colony of the valuable services of Smith, and caused it to come nearly to an end. Smith’s successor had not the ability, courage or prestige to govern as he had done, and a turbulent element began to assume an aggressive attitude toward the Indians, who resented it. The result of this aggression was that trading parties, bent on peaceful measures, were massacred, and, consequently, in the spring of 1610 famine together with all its accompanying sufferings, stared the colonists in the face.

They were a haggard, disheartened, miserable group of men and women. To continue at James Town appearedimpossible, and, by popular vote it was decided, though the bravest could not restrain their emotion at failure, that it must be abandoned. Accordingly, June 7, the dejected aggregation boarded their ships and cleared for home. When they reached Hampton Roads, a sail was observed, which proved to be the Governor’s boat. His ships were in the Roads, and the settlers returned to their village, and there enacted one of the most pitiful, yet dramatic, scenes in the world’s history.

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF JAMESTOWN EXPOSITIONCopyright, 1906. Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Norfolk

BIRD’S-EYE VIEW OF JAMESTOWN EXPOSITION

The timely and unexpected arrival of the Governor was greeted with frantic shouts of welcome and joy by the discouraged colonists. His coming immediately infused new life, and their affectionate embraces of one another gave way to fervent prayer. Their story was related to Lord Delaware, and, as he landed, he fell upon the ground and offered thanks to God that his arrival had saved Virginia.

Following that memorable day in 1610, there was never a question concerning the continuance of the Virginia colony. Before the arrival of Lord Delaware, the settlement had been ruled by more or less despotic measures. Under Smith, the despotism had been beneficent, if not benevolent. Following the rule of Delaware and Sir Thomas Dale, a more liberal policy was inaugurated, with the administration of Yeardley, and Virginia began to make gigantic strides. Cattle and sheep were raised; crops were planted; poultry and domestic animals received attention; horses were brought over and utilized for farming and travel. In addition to these necessaries of life, tobacco, which was destined to become the standard of value and exchange, was extensively cultivated. From out of a condition of chaos, everything became plentiful, and Virginia began to offer attractive inducements to immigrants. The pioneers had conquered dangers and enjoyed comparative affluence.

Finally, the colonists insisted on the right of self-government, and receivedlimited recognition. In the old church, at James Town, June, 1619, Governor Yeardley summoned the first legislative body ever assembled in America, and formally opened the General Assembly of Virginia. It was modeled after the English Parliament, an upper and lower house, called the House of Burgesses and the Council.

WESTERN VIEW OF COPPER, SILVER AND WOOD-WORKING SHOPS.Copyright, 1906. Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Norfolk

WESTERN VIEW OF COPPER, SILVER AND WOOD-WORKING SHOPS.

This legislative body had the effect of making the people proud of their home and confident of themselves. From James Town grew all the settlements that overspread Virginia, and its prosperity induced the settlements which dotted the coast from Florida to Canada.

It is the great achievements intervening between the founding of this settlement and the present period that the Jamestown Ter-Centennial will commemorate by a historic, educational and industrial exhibition, in conjunction with the greatest naval and military display ever witnessed in the world, to be held this year on the waters and historic shores of Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, Virginia.

The heroic deeds and collateral events in all the colonies will be fully and faithfully portrayed, and place before the people a contrasting picture of seventeenth century civilization with that of the nineteenth. It will be a veritable epilogue of the nation’s development from the little Virginia village to a republic of nearly one hundred million people, stretched from ocean to ocean, and from the Great Lakes to the Gulf, with insular possessions in both tropics, and an empire in the frozen Arctic.

In observing the three hundredth anniversary of this important historical event, the State of Virginia, very properly, took the initiative, and, by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, provided that a fitting ceremonial should attend the event. President Roosevelt issued a proclamation inviting all the nations of the world to participate, and declared that “The first settlement of English-speaking people on American soil, at Jamestown, in 1607, marks the beginning of the United States. The three hundredth anniversary of the event mustbe commemorated by the people of our Union as a whole.”

Nearly every world-power has accepted this invitation, and will send warships, soldiers and marines to take part in the greatest naval rendezvous ever assembled, while the troops will unite in international drills, maneuvers and demonstrations. Aside from this participation, many foreign countries will be represented by industrial exhibits.

CORNER OF MODEL SCHOOL. SCHOOL GARDEN IN THE REAR CARED FOR BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NORFOLKCopyright, 1906. Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Norfolk

CORNER OF MODEL SCHOOL. SCHOOL GARDEN IN THE REAR CARED FOR BY THE SCHOOL CHILDREN OF NORFOLK

It will be the most historical exposition ever attempted, the dominating motive being to impress upon the visitor the history of this nation. Situated in the most historic section of the country, amid the scenes of great civil and naval conflicts, whose outcome have more than once been decisive in national affairs, the very atmosphere is redolent of the nation’s story. Congress has approved the exposition, and has endorsed its purpose with splendid appropriations, exceeding those made for any exposition, with the exception of the Chicago and St. Louis World’s Fairs. Every executive department of the Government will make an exhibit; the Smithsonian Institution and National Museum; Bureau of American Republics; the Library of Congress, and the Fish Commission. The Life Saving Service will give exhibitions, and a building is provided for a separate negro exhibit. Alaska, Porto Rico and the Philippines will also be represented in the Government display.

Nearly all of the states have joined in the celebration, and have made liberal appropriations. In addition, others are expected to participate, thus insuring a display of the resources of the states in such magnitude as cannot fail to attract and interest all classes of visitors.

Within twenty minutes’ ride of Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton, Newport News and Old Point Comfort is Sewell’s Point, the site of the exposition. In this vicinity nature and man have combined to create a territory supremely attractive and beautiful. The grounds face Hampton Roads, and embrace more than four hundred acres in area, forming a beautiful setting for thearchitecture of the exhibit buildings, which will be entirely of the colonial period. The beautiful and commodious buildings under construction are the Auditorium, History and Art, Education and Social Economy, Manufactures and Liberal Arts, Virginia Manufactures, Medicine and Sanitation, Machinery, Electricity and Ordnance, Transportation, Marine Appliance, Foods, Agriculture and Horticulture, Forestry, Fish and Game, Mines and Metallurgy buildings, aside from numerous special buildings and pavilions. There are no less than six buildings devoted to Arts and Crafts alone.

COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENT TO JOHN SMITH, ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES, AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA.Copyright, 1906. Jamestown Official Photograph Corporation, Norfolk

COMMEMORATIVE MONUMENT TO JOHN SMITH, ERECTED BY THE UNITED STATES, AT JAMESTOWN, VIRGINIA.

The whole group will suggest the baronial structures of the seventeenth century in England. With massive Corinthian columns, surrounded by verdant trees, they will constitute an everlasting picture of grandeur and beauty. Several enlarged replicas of old American homes will preserve the identical outlines, and will conform in proportion. The Arts and Crafts Village will be a scene of active interest, where skilled hand-workers will display the possibilities of the finished products in metals and wood, in which machinery has no part.

Within sight of the exposition are forts, a navy yard, and one of the largest shipbuilding plants in the world; while on the banks of the James river stand the finest examples of colonial architecture in America. Hampton, just across the Roads, is the oldest continuous settlement of Englishmen in America. The most famous naval encounter of the Civil War, between the Monitor and Merrimac, took place within sight of the exposition grounds. This naval duel revolutionized battleship construction and naval warfare. Upon these same historic waters will ride at anchor the greatest fleet of warships, representing every type of fighting machine in the navies of the world. The evolution of shipbuilding will be interestingly illustrated by the reproduction of the three ships,Susan Constant, theGodspeedandDiscovery, which brought the Jamestown colonists to this country. This display of marine architecture of different periods makes possible a comprehensive study of its development. The shores hereabout are crowded with earthworks erected by Southern and Federal troops during the Civil War. There is hardly a strategic position near these waterswhich does not bear evidence of fortifications, and the final negotiations which ended the conflict were concluded at a conference on Hampton Roads between President Lincoln, Mr. Seward and Alexander Stephens. Hence, it is possible to traverse the ground consecrated by those patriots whose names are household words in American history; to view the monuments commemorative of events from the first landing of the colonists in 1607, through the stirring events of 1776, through the later historical epoch of 1812 and 1860, Yorktown and Great Bridge, and to 1865, when this section was enriched by the blood of heroes who fought with Lee, Jackson and Grant in the most sanguinary strife ever recorded.

Another distinguishing feature of the exposition will be the military display of the United States, the troops of which, together with those of foreign countries, will form a permanent encampment during the exhibition.

The horticultural and cut flower exhibit will surpass in design and beauty all previous attempts along this line. Displays of flowers and potted plants will be made in the Court of the States, where will be shown in profusion of number and variety—asters, chrysanthemums, dahlias, gladioli, peonies, rhododendrons, sweet peas, roses, etc. The work of transplanting trees, plants and shrubs in the general decorative scheme has been practically completed. A unique feature is the floral fence, which forms a semi-circle around the exposition grounds. The frame is of wire, upon which crimson rambler, honeysuckle and trumpet vine intertwine in artistic effect. Monster oaks, tall pines, cedars, maples, willows and elms are on the grounds to afford ample shade, while native flower-bearing and evergreen shrubs and fruit trees will enter into the general scheme of landscape beautification.

By comparison, from a monetary standpoint, with the St. Louis Exposition, the management of the latter expended $50,000,000, while the Jamestown will hardly exceed $5,000,000. But it must be remembered that the amount spent at St. Louis produced everything at the fair by purchase. There were no monuments of national or historic interest, hence, the wide discrepancy in the amount invested. The sum expended by the Jamestown Exposition will simply pay for the exhibit buildings, beautifying the site and adorning the water front. An estimate by a competent statistician places the money value to be represented at this exposition at no time less than $150,000,000, while the foreign display on the water will probably represent twice the sum, or $300,000,000, six times the cost of the Louisiana Purchase Exposition. The difference is at once strikingly obvious.

The Jamestown Exposition will differ from the St. Louis Fair in that it will be historic, while the latter was mainly industrial. Every conceivable object of historic interest which can be secured will be on view at the Ter-Centennial, and as the surrounding country is a prolific source from which to gather this class of exhibits, it will far excel in historic interest.

A few of the distinctive features of the exposition will include: the first international submarine races; prize drills by regiments of all countries; the largest motor boat regatta ever held; yacht races in which all nations will compete; more naval and military bands than were ever before gathered together; the highest tower ever erected in America, if not in the world; the largest parade ground; sea bathing at the border of the grounds; dirigible airships for commercial uses; an enclosed sea basin with an area of 1,280,000 square feet; an exact reproduction of old Jamestown; stupendous pyrotechnic reproduction of war scenes and unique night harbor illumination.

Norfolk, the exposition city and “Golden Gate of the Atlantic,” penetrated by the salt air of the ocean, is free from climatic complaints. Its geographical location and the fortunes of war add to its interest and prominence, and it is replete with reminiscent features. It is a great commercial center, within twelve hours’ ride ofmore than 21,000,000 population, and within twenty-four hours’ ride of 39,000,000 people. Possibly its most historic structure standing, in a well preserved condition, is old St. Paul’s Church, erected in 1739, twice fired on by the British, and still retaining, imbedded in its walls, a shell fired by Lord Dunmore’s fleet, January 1, 1776.

The descendants of hardy settlers contemporaneous with Captain John Smith and his associates, followed by the cavaliers that settled Virginia, are to be found now, as then, foremost in business, social, religious and political affairs. From them have issued those who have made names that are referred to with pride in the conduct of state and national affairs. Although the “Mother of States,” and foremost in the making of American history, all of her children did not yield to the temptation of forsaking their birthright of fair lands, and it is the present generation that has made possible the splendid celebration commemorative of the first settlement of this country by their ancestors.

It is small wonder, then, that all roads this year will lead to Tidewater Virginia and the Jamestown Ter-Centennial, which will throw open its gates to the world April 26.

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