May 11, 2007
In May of 2007, I was privileged to make a four-day round trip to the State of Virginia. America’s Anniversary Weekend (May 11–13) was the three-day ceremony honoring the 400th anniversary of Jamestowne—America’s first permanent English colony. Tickets for all three days of the international event provided significant moments to chronicle. The most exciting outcome of the trip happened after I returned home and traced my Elkins ancestry back to John Elkin—a London merchant with business dealings in Jamestown as early as 1609. Enjoy the following pics from my journey back to “Jamestowne, New England.”
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Mr. E. & Virginia
Nova Britannia, title page, By Robert Johnson, fl. 1586–1626, supposed author (New York, Printed for J. Sabin, 1867) Special Collections, F229.J676, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
May 11-13, 2007
Get in line, Soldier!
Buyer beware!
What’s a bicycle?
Buckeye on board
Oh, Captain, my Captain!
Pocahontas and me
Look what I dug up at the fort.
Birds of a feather flock to the James River
Mates on shore leave
An Armor-All shine!
Reenactment of the Jamestowne Charter
Magna Carta
THIS MONUMENT
WAS ERECTED BY
THE UNITED STATES
A D 1907
TO COMMEMORATE
THE THREE HUNDREDTH
ANNIVERSARY OF
THE SETTLEMENT HERE
MAY 13, 1607
Native Descendants
My Scotch-Irish Kin
Stay out of Williamsburg
Which way to Ohio?
Over the Mountains to Ohio
America’s Anniversary Weekend: 3 days, 3 sites. . . One spectacular moment in history!
A spectacular display of fireworks timed to the music of a 400-piece orchestra and 1607-voice chorale soared over the shores of the James River on the night of May 13 to conclude the centerpiece event of the commemoration — America’s Anniversary Weekend. The finale capped three days of festivities, entertainment, educational exhibits, cultural programs, celebrity performances and special commemorative ceremonies that included Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, President George Bush, Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’ Connor, Governor Timothy Kaine and many other national, statewide and local leaders.
More than 63,000 people attended at least one day of this historic event, which showcased a “new” Jamestown story made possible by compelling research and recent archaeological discoveries. The historic role and legacies of Jamestown were highlighted in new world-class museums and living-history areas built at the Jamestown sites and echoed in exhibits and continuous entertainment at Anniversary Park.
Anniversary Weekend spanned three adjacent sites, Historic Jamestowne, Jamestown Settlement and Anniversary Park, a former campground transformed into a unique festival area with multiple stages, presentations and pavilions.
Mr. E. 2003 