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Memories from Jamestown Festival in 1957
I was nine years of age in 1957. My mother’s family lived close by Jamestown and we visited frequently from the Eastern Shore. I recall being taken to the Park when it was under construction nestled in the forest there close to the 4-H camp.
My aunt worked at the park in the main administration building selling tickets and such till her retirement. I recall hearing her relate meeting the Queen on her visit. I visited the Park many times during 1957 and years following, to me it was like a big wonderful playground theme park I guess you would say. I had a wonderful time and remember watching the opening morning ceremonies related by the stories of others here with cannon fire and bands playing.
In those first years, after it opened several of my cousins worked at the Park as soldier characters in the fort, during their summers, this of course was a delight to me being younger. I still have souvenirs from that first year, small brass cannons, blown glass with the date 1957 on the bottom, along with brochures from the festival park. I have not visited the Park in over 20 years and look forward to visiting once again this year.
-Gary Mitchell
Snow Hill, Maryland
In 1957 I wasn't in the USA, I was a student at King Edward VI School in Louth, Lincolnshire, England - the school that many years earlier, Captain John Smith was educated at. In that year some of the Jamestown "dignitaries" came and presented to the school a bronze plaque that recorded the association of the school with John Smith. The plaque is still fixed to one of the walls inside the Assembly Hall. Best wishes for a successful "400" in 2007. I am thinking about joining you.
Steve Simpson
King Edward VI School (1957 - 1964)
Louth
Lincolnshire, England
I grew up in Wakefield, Virginia, Sussex Co. and we vacationed at Scotland Wharf (across the river from Jamestown) a few summers.. Also, my Dad worked on the ferry for a couple of years, so we had been to Jamestown several times. My sister and I liked to buy a doll in the gift shop whenever we went over there. (I still have my dolls!)
My Aunt Mae had planned the trip for my sister, my best friend and me to go to Jamestown for the celebration in 1957. It was so exciting because Queen Elizabeth was going to be there. We were not sure we would even get to see her , but we got there early enough to get a good place and then we saw the Queen walking towards us!! As she came by, she was so close I could almost reach out and touch her dress- (although I wouldn't have done that). We walked along side of her for a few steps along with the crowd of followers. I just couldn't believe I had seen her in person and had heen so close to her!! This was a happy memory that has stayed with me my whole life!!
-Liz Daughtrey
In 1957, my senior class at Rural Retreat High School attended the festivities at Jamestown as part of our senior trip. We visited the ships, and many of the exhibits. After 45 years of publishing newspapers in Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, I have returned to Rural Retreat and am co-chairman of the Rural Retreat Heritage Days committee, which is responsible for the Jamestown 2006 and 2007 events in the town. The interesting thing is that our class will be holding a 50th class reunion on the last weekend of July 2007. Class members recently voted to hold the reunion in conjunction with the Heritage Days Jamestown activities on the last weekend of July 2007.
-Bill Hall
Crockett, Virginia
In 1957 I was eleven, in the sixth grade and living in Hampton, Virginia. Our family was excited about the Jamestown celebration because my Grandmother Trevillian had been to the 1907 festival. Since Granny lived in Lynchburg Virginia, in 1907 she had to take a boat to the festival. I have a plate and a painting on leather that she purchased during her 1907 visit. My Grandmother and Aunt Mary traveled from Lynchburg in May 1957 to visit Jamestown. I remember how much they enjoyed their visit. During Granny's visit she signed a guest book that was for those folks who attended in 1907. I'm sure my Mom would tell you that in 1957 we had more company than we usually had - all to visit Jamestown!
-Mary Harding
Hayes, VA
I was 7 years old in '57' and my family, who lived in Rocky Mount, NC., spent our vacation every summer across the James River at a cottage in Surry County. We visited Jamestown during the festival but not at the time of the queen's visit. My memories are not as vivid as some who have responded, but I do remember the ships, fort, and the gift shop. I or rather my mother, purchased a paper weight of the Susan Constant, which I still have and use today. My deceased father introduced our family to the area as he visited friends in the early 20's. My family loved the area so much that my wife and I purchased a cottage in Surry directly across from Jamestown Island. We go often, and have a clear and wonderful veiw of the ships and Jamestown monument. Along with our children, we plan to make several trips during the 400th anniversary.
-John Kirkland
Midlothian, VA
In 1957, I was only 12. I was living in Rustburg, Campbell County, Virginia. I remember being very excited about going to Jamestown during the celebration. I remember seeing the fort and the three ships. And, I remember being thrilled at seeing the statue of Pocahontas in Jamestown, as she is one of my ancestors, according to family tree information I have. The trip was very interesting to me because I loved history as a child, and still love early history.
At that time, we studied Virginia history in the fourth and seventh grades, and the Jamestown story was a big part of that. It was exciting to see the real spots and replicas of the real ships, and how the settlers and native Americans lived in the early 17th century. I hope to be able to attend some of the events in 2007, because although I now live and work in North Carolina, I am still a Virginian. And much of North Carolina was really part of Virginia in the early days anyway.
Edward Tweedy
Greensboro, NC
At the time I was 16 years old and very fortunate to be living in Phoebus... now part of Hampton right in view of all the tall ships that paraded up Hampton Rhoads for the International Naval Review. It was such an impressive sight with the sailors standing at attention on the decks of their ships. I had the chance to motor around each of the ships. The most beautiful ship was our own Coast Guard Ship the "Eagle". Visited Jamestown while the King & Queen were here. What an exciting time! My grandmother had visited the 1907 celebration but admitted it wasn't at all like the one in 1957. I have a plate from the celebration with the 3 ships purchased from the gift store for $3.95. It is a treasured momento. Hope to be able to take my granddaughter and niece to some of the 400th. activities. We are so lucky to live in such a historic area. Thanks for sharing good memories.
-Carolyn Morgan
Hampton (Phoebus) VA
I vividly remember my trip to the Jamestown Festival in 1957. My father was a Naval officer stationed at Norfolk, Virginia. I was in grade school at Blessed Sacrament School in Norfolk as was my brother. My sister was still at home with mom. Back in those days, we toured in our good dresses and hats. I remember the exhibits and the three ships. I still have my 1957 Jamestown Festival Book. That trip is one of my fondest childhood memories!
-Ellen Nau
Richmond, VA
As a 10-year-old 5th grader at Ann Street School in Portsmouth, VA, I visited Jamestown with my classmates on a field trip. I remember the thousands of tulips from Holland which greeted us as we arrived. I remember the museum and pavilion with many artifacts of the early English settlement. We boarded the ship replicas and marveled at how small they seemed, especially the tiny Discovery. We walked around the triangular fort and explored the huts and houses. We visited the old settlement and the glass blower, the old church and cemetary. In preparation for the trip we listened in class to a record with several songs about Jamestown. The one I remember most was the one about the ships - There were three ships Three tiny ships That sailed across the sea The Susan Constant, Godspeed, and the Brave Discovery". Hard to believe it's been almost 50 years since that visit.
-Bob Dowd
Brandon, MS
I was in the Army stationed at Ft. Eustis during the 1957 festival. Jamestowne kept me from going stark raving mad at the boredome. I visited there as often as I could. I watched the various buidings being constructed and the new exhibits made. It was magic to see the towne transformed. The road to the Ferry ran through the center of the (now restored) area and had to be re-routed. The (then) rather drab exhibits took on a new life with the preparations and became much more exciting and informative. I was unable to visit to see the Queen, but I seem to recall she brought a copy of the Magna Carta with her for public exhibit. I have been back several times since and never fail to be amazed at the exciting information being uncovered. I am interested to see the 2007 site.
-Donald Pepper
Carlsbad, CA
In the summer of 1957, my grandfather loaned his new red and white, Chrysler station wagon to my parents so that my 2 brothers and I could make a grand tour of our National Historical sites. We came from the Akron, Ohio area, crossing over the Blue Ridge Mountains, driving along the Skyline Drive. We stopped in Charlottesville, then headed to Williamsburg for a few days, taking in the 1st Settlement. As a 7 year old (almost 8), I was impressed by the boats and the Indians. But, also remember a copy of the Magna Carta being on exposition. This was one (of what I heard to be) of 3 original copies in existance. My childhood memory is that it was under glass, in a display,outside. A comment my mother overheard was, that, when Queen Elizabeth II attended the exhibition, she was astonished to see this copy of the Magna Carta on display. However, she had, indeed, affixed her signature, releasing it for this display.
-Peggy Smuts Jones
Hamilton, OH
I was a member of The Old Guard, 3D U.S Infantry Regiment. We were chosen to portray the soldiers and sailors at the 1957 Jamestown Festival. I was eighteen as most of us were under twenty-five. The preacher was the only one who was not in the army; he was a college student. There were three Native American Indians, two sisters and their brother. We had a flag raising ceremony every morning. The visitors really enjoyed it. Being young soldiers we liked to fool around and one of the things we would do was to grab the back of the pantaloons and let it snap back. One day at the flag raising ceremony one of the guys snapped back the pantaloons of the guy in front of him and the elastic broke and down went the pantaloons.
We would fall out for guard mount in front of the church to be blessed by the preacher every hour. We had a solo drummer with us as we marched to each post to change guards. One day at guard mount when the preacher raised his hand instead of bowing our heads we all knelt down real fast. He was mad at first but later we all had a huge laugh, including some of the visitors who picked it up. The preacher was in on it. The visitors would start their tour at The Wax Museum, then past the Indian village, then the fort concluding at the ships.
Every one of us who was at the first post to be seen after the Indian village would point their musket at the tour as it got close to them. We would not move. When they got real close to us we would move real fast and almost all of the tour would jump and yell they are real. Remember shortly before the vistors were in the Wax Museum. You could tell they enjoyed it. We also enjoyed it. We also enjoyed seeing the visitors smile and have such a good time. We always had goats running around. They quickly became our pets. Before we left the fort at night we had to round them up and lock them in the fort. One we named Casper. I would be with Casper almost all the time that I was off guard duty.
I really enjoyed the Queens visit. They had a scrapbook made up without the photos. They took prearranged photos of her with a Polaroid camera, put them in the album and presented it to her at the end of the tour in the fort. She was amazed. I was picked up with others to go out to the Governor’s Palace at night where the Queen was to have dinner. We were lined up at the rear of the Palace where the Queen walked between us and under our raised pikes to a cart for cocktails. The Lord Mayor of London came by us, shook our hands and gave the sergeant a five-dollar bill and said to buy them a bottle. He knew we where in the Army. I could not believe he did that. Then after telling the Queen they arranged for us to have ten minutes at the bar after they went inside. Unbelievable. Hey you can’t make this stuff up. We never did find out what the Sergeant did with the five bucks.
We were assigned at the settlement for two or three weeks. At the end of the festival they invited all of us soldiers back for a party. I could not attend I had other duty. I heard it was a big mistake as the soldiers drank too much and were out of hand. I was glad I had other duty that day. When I was there October 17th, 2004, I talked to many people. From the cashier, the Indian huts, the fort and ships. Everyone I told stories to about 1957 had a big smile on their face and I could see they enjoyed it. It made me feel great to have shared things about 1957 with them. I can’t wait to be there opening day 2007 if possible. I will look for the opening date so I can make reservations. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.
-Michael May Fort Myers, Florida
My Eastern Shore farm family scheduled its visit to Jamestown in 1957 to correspond with our week at Jamestown 4-H Camp, located not far from Historic Jamestowne and the then-new Jamestown Festival Park (now Jamestown Settlement). My parents also reasoned, to my brother and me as teens, that we wouldn't want to be there during the crushing crowds of Queen Elizabeth's visit. Because we had to take the Chesapeake Bay ferry to the Virginia mainland prior to 1963, the Jamestown trip was highly memorable for many reasons: the journey took almost fours before we got to meet our first Virginia Indians and experience the themes of America's earliest English history. We experienced these themes by pushing buttons in the Old World and New World pavilions at Jamestown Festival Park and hearing explanations of the historical panoramas and artifacts that unfolded before us. The entire experience was appropriately capped by the patriotic, nightly drama, "The Common Glory," in the nearby amphitheatre -- for which we all rubbed ourselves down with insect-repellant and reminded ourselves that mosquitoes had been more than a nuisance at 17th-century Jamestown.
-Martha Steger
Richmond, Virginia
Like Charles and Phil, I spent a most enjoyable summer in 1957 as part of the US Navy Band. We played several concerts plus Colors in the AM each and every day. Eight of us just met up; after 48 years and we intend to increase the numbers and return to Jamestown in 2007!! Now won't that be a hoot!! 50 years on and we will be back in Jamestown!!(might even get some music out of some of us) Glenn Barnes (who has lived in Scotland for the past 32 years.)
-Glenn R Barnes
Scotland, UK
My mother took my sister and I out of school for a few days to see Queen Elizabeth in Williamsburg. We traveled with an aunt and first cousin and spent several days visiting Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. We had a prime location on the lawn in front of the Wren Building at William and Mary to hear the Queen give a speech. After her speech, the Queen walked down the sidewalk in front of the Wren Building and we were close enough that we could have almost reached out and touched her. Afterwards, we drove over to the Williamsburg Inn and saw the Queen when she appeared on a balcony at the Inn waving to the crowd gathered there. After this exciting time, our family traveled on to Virginia Beach which was the first time that I had ever been to the ocean. I was twelve and a half at the time.
-Joe Obenshain
Fincastle, Virginia
In 1957, I was a 9 year old growing up in Phoebus (a section of Hampton). While the reconstructed settlement was great especially in a child's eyes the Hall of Presidents made a lasting impression on me. It established for me the importance of history in our everyday lives and more importantly the role Virginia has always played. It made me appreciate being from Virginia.
-Chris Rasmussen
Charlotte, NC
My fourth grade class from Smithfield, VA visited the new Festival Park the week before the Queen was to make her visit. We wandered the exhibits. I was especially impressed with the Old World building and all the artifacts I saw. I think I fell in love with England, that lasts to this day. I remember seeing the red carpet rolled out for the Queen's arrival. When no one was looking, I proceeded to walk the entire length of the carpet, thinking to myself that I was walking where the Queen would soon walk. My school years brought many more tours of the festival park and the island, but the memory of the excitement of the '57 celebration is still fresh in my memory. I hope to be there in 2007 to experience all that is new, and hope to find some of what I remember as a child. Congratulations on what will be a very special celebration.
-Trisha Reid Tallman
Tustin, CA
In 1957, I was ending my freshman year at the College of William and Mary. Rather than spend the summer with my parents at home in SC, I opted to stay in Williamsburg. I secured an unusual job with an outdoor play called "The Founders," playing the role of Chief Powhatan. Of course, the play was about the founding of Jamestown. Huge numbers of visitors came through Williamsburg and visited the fort of Jamestown that year. From an historical point of view, I felt like I was at the center of the universe that summer. Fun for a 19-year old!
-James Osbon
Amelia Island, FL
My Mom, Dad, two brothers, and I visited Jamestown, Yorktown and other sites as a family vacation. I remember seeing the reconstructed fort. I remember hearing the words of Captain John Smith, "If you don't work, you don't eat. My father was born in not too distant Smiithfield in 1899.
-Stephen L. Lawrence
Annandale, Virginia
I'm from Amherst County originally, in the summer on 1957, when my father was doing his reserve 2 weeks at Ft. Eustis, my mother, grandmother, two sisters and I went to the Festival. (It seemed awfully expensive.) I especially remember the portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First and the ships. I wonder how my ancestors managed to fit in the small sleeping space allotted for him. (He was one of Gov. Wingfield's family members.)
-Marian Huber
Amhearst County
My recollections of Jamestown in 1957 are as vivid today as then, even though I was only six years old at the time. Because my father was not fond of crowds we would probably never have attended the Festival Park, much less the celebration. However, as luck would have it, he (my father), RC Everett, was one of the sailors who pulled the Discovery up and down the James River, taking the route of Captain John Smith, in promoting the upcoming celebration. Knowing our family arrived in Jamestown in the first half of the 17th century, my Dad's interest was piqued. He came home with tales of the trip and the beautiful scenery that he felt he saw through his ancestor's eyes when they first saw "the new world." As residents, we were familiar with Jamestown. However, we also knew of Jamestown from post cards sent by our Great Uncle to my Grandmother when he visited here for the 1907 event. We still have the colorful cards. No shorts and t-shirts were seen for this event. My sisters and I dressed in our finest summer dresses and shoes. Mom packed a wonderful lunch of fried chicken and potato salad, our neighbors, the Haste's did the same, and off we went. It was so hot and humid, but we hardly noticed. Everything was so exciting. From the staged presentations to the fort and the Indians, we loved it all. I was allowed to purchase a little plastic Pocahontas doll as a souvenir. We have lots of black and white photos from our visit that help us keep the memories fresh. What a great summer. What a great event. What a great memory! You bet we will be there in 2007!
-Delores Everett Bryant
James City County, Virginia
I, too, was a member of the U.S. Navy band that played for flag raising and three concerts a day. My fondest memories of Jamestown were the visits of then Vice President Nixon and the Lord Mayor of London. Those were highlights, but my greatest memories are of the village, watching the glass blowers and other artisans at work. Many a time I daydreamed about what it would have been like to pioneer a new life thousands of miles from my birth place. Added to the wonderful ambience of the reconstruction was the balmy summer and the prevalent perfumes of honeysuckle. A wonderful memory I have shared with my children and grandchildren. I was 18 at that time. Keep up the good work.
-Charles Bush
Brea, California
I was 12 years old when my parents took me to Jamestown for the 350th year anniversary celebration. My aunt and uncle lived in Williamsburg at the time and this was a great time to visit both relatives and Jamestown. I remember that it was hot and humid. I enjoyed visiting the Indian area of the park and the glassblowing demonstation. The old church tower was mysterious to me at the time and I was enthralled with the gravesites, particularly the 2 that a large tree was growing between the tombs. I remember also asking my parents why the church was so far away from [then]the fort?! I still have the old black and white pictures that we took at the time. I do want to return to help celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown in 2007.
-Carlos Wheatley
Troy, Michigan
I have, hanging on the wall of my Fairfax home, a framed commemorative "1907 Jamestown Exposition" scarf which was purchased by my grandparents, Melvin and Jane Angell of Gilbertville, Massachusetts while on their honeymoon in 1907. When they returned to their MA home, they hung the scarf on the wall of their bedroom. It hung there until May of 2004 when I brought it home to Fairfax after cleaning out my grandparent's home. My mother, in Arlington, has my grandfather's "1907 Jamestown Exposition" commemorative pocket watch which he purchased also on their honeymoon in 1907. Both items were cherished by my grandparents as momentos of their honeymoon, and are now cherished by my mother and me. My grandfather died in 1943, and my grandmother died in 1961. My uncle continued to live in their home and kept everything just as they left it until his death at age 95 in June 2003. Now, 100 years after their purchase, both items have come home to Virginia. I have visited Jamestown three times in the last six or seven years. Twice with my third grade students from Alexandria and once with my husband. I hope we will visit again during the 2007 400th Anniversary.
-Doris Goodlett
Fairfax, Virginia
I too remember my brother and I playing the 45rpm record of "Three Ships". I am pretty sure one of us still has it. To the best of my recollection (I was 5) my mother took us to what was Seashore State Park (now First Landing State Park) to see the ships off Cape Henry. We had to park along Shore Drive to walk over to the beach because of the crowds. I believe there was a reenactment of the landing. I remember it all being very exciting at the time.
-Diane Sumerlin
Virginia Beach, Virginia
I was in the band from Galax Virginia. My husband and I were musicians-- he passed away in 1998, I just found this website. I would love to have some pictures of our band. We were seated by Governor Stanley on the stage. Please let me hear from someone who might have some pictures of the band -The Dixie Ramblers that they would like to share. I am 78 now and this would mean a lot to me. Thanks so much!
-Maude Lowe
King, North Carolina
My husband, Jack, and I were students at the College. My uncle served on City Council that year and my aunt was actively involved in finding rooms for visitors. She enlisted my help and whenever I had some time between classes, we worked in a tiny office on Duke of Gloucester Street trying to get beds lined up for the upcoming influx of visitors to Williamsburg/Jamestown. My aunt (Lib Kent) was to be presented to the Queen because of Yel Kent's role in city government. She borrowed a mannequin from Casey's and with it as a prop, made a smashing gold necklace of sequins and braid to wear for the occasion. The students at the College were gathered in Wren Yard for the Queen's appearance. Queen Elizabeth wore an emerald green coat with a black fur collar - but her husband, Prince Philip was the handsomest man we had ever seen! When the Queen spoke from the Wren Balcony we thought we were in heaven.
-Mary Ann Brendel
In 1957, I was 12 years old and in the sixth grade at John Marshall Elementary School in Portsmouth, VA. Our teacher, Miss Evelyn Brooks, was very much interested in the 350th anniversary. She made us listen to and memorize a little song about the "three small ships." I can still say the names--the Godspeed, the Discovery and the Susan Constant. She also took our class on a field trip to Jamestown. While there in the Gift Shop, I bought two souvenirs. One was a funny little decorative pot which said on it, "Captin John Smith, his jug," and the other was a wooden crucifix. I still have both.
-Margaret Windley
Portsmouth, Virginia
My mother and father took me to the ceremonies in 1957 at the Festival Park in which the Queen participated. I remember my Dad hoisting me on to his shoulders so that I could see Her Majesty. He told me it was important for me to see her because the Queen was a living link to our past history both here in Virginia and in England and that it was a very unique moment in time. I remember she was so elegant and petite. For years afterwards, visiting the Festival Park was a regular mainstay on our family's schedule and living so close (we lived in Hampton, VA at that time) we could visit anytime. I was blessed to have parents who cared enough to bring me to the event, and who understood and appreciated the importance of Jamestown to our country.
-Diane Hagemann
Newport News, Virginia
I attended the opening celebration with my parents, older sister and grandparents. I was 10 years old and wanted so badly to shake the Queen's hand. Unfortunately, I was unable to even get a glimpse of her I was so buried in the crowd. Over the years we took many visiting relatives and friends to Jamestown Festival Park and have quite a few photographs of all of us climbing on the ships and enjoying the outdoor exhibits. Even as a teenager my fascination with Jamestown continued as my friends and I spent many Sundays in the recreated Indian Village and Fort listening to the costumed interpreters and "soaking up" the fascinating history around us. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that 20 years later I would work for Jamestown Festival Park! Even though I've been here for 21 years, I still thoroughly enjoy everything about my job with the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and share in the excitement as we prepare for the 2007 commemoration.
-Nan Rowe
Williamsburg, Virginia
At the time I was 6 years of age. My parents, other relatives and myself visited the festival park at the time. I remember visiting the recreated fort and the various dwellings and houses inside of it. I remember the church and the interpreters in the fort and wondered to myself if this is how it really was at that time. Almost 50 years have gone by and there have been many dynamic changes, exciting discoveries and improvements since 1957.
-Marshall Smith
Burke, Virginia
I attended the 1957 celebration at the age of ten with my parents. I remember visiting Jamestown Festival. Over the last couple of years my childhood memory of an outdoor play has been haunting me. I had a need to find the location of the outdoor amphitheatre. Everyone I asked thought it was at the Matoaka Amphitheatre which was built for Paul Green's "The Common Glory." I thought the play I saw was in Jamestown because of my parents recollections and from misleading information on some websites. During the last couple of visits (2003 and 2004) I discovered Lake Matoaka Amphitheatre located on the College of William and Mary. There is a plaque on the old entrance stating: Lake Matoaka Theatre Developed by The Jamestown Corporation 1946-1976 for Paul Green's "The Common Glory" produced 1947-1963, 1965-1973, 1975-1976 and Paul Green's "The Founders" produced 1957, 1958 and 1964. That in itself was misleading. I was sure "The Founders" was not in that huge amphitheatre. Through research I learned that a separate amphitheatre was built for "The Founders" called the Cove Amphitheatre. A map showing both amphitheatres is in the Jamestown Settlement 350th Celebration Program. It is actually located on Lake Matoaka a couple hundred yards around the bend to the right from the "Common Glory" amphitheatre. I visited the site. It is covered with vegetation including trees but you can still see the original landscape of the area, foundation of the seats, stage area, etc. "The Common Glory" played in the evenings and "The Founders" played in the afternoons. I also found many photos of both productions, construction of the Cove Amphitheatre, original scripts, Common Glory musical scores, film clips, etc in a nearby library. It was a very exciting discovery for me.
-Ken Shockey
Greencastle, Pennsylvania
My father took us to the West Norfolk bridge in Portsmouth and we watched the 3 ships leave headed to Jamestown. I am not sure but I seem to remember that the ships were built in West Norfolk.
-Harry Duval
Zuni, Virginia
I was a member of the U.S. Navy band that played three concerts a day and the morning flag raising ceremony at the Jamestown Pavilion during the summer of 1957. We were housed at the Yorktown Weapons Station. Most of us were young Navy musicians from the Navy School of Music, then in Washington, D.C. Since then, the school has moved to Little Creek, VA and, after spending 38 years in the U.S. Navy, I have retired here in Virginia Beach having remembered how beautiful the area was when I first saw it in 1957.
-Philip Field
Virginia Beach, Virginia
In 1957, in my hometown of Ashland, Virginia, the Ashland Lions Club invited three students from each 7th grade class in my school (i.e., Henry Clay) to attend the Jamestown Festival. I was thrilled to have been selected to attend. I remember standing in awe in front of the Magna Carta, which was on display from England. With my small box camera, I took black-and-white pictures of my friends at the settlement. I have happy memories of exploring the three ships docked nearby. Today, I am the mother of two college students and work in McLean, Virginia. I am proud to say that I recently joined the Jamestowne Society. My Jamestown ancestor was Dr. John Woodson. I am looking forward to attending the upcoming festival, and I hope that my entire family enjoys the festival as much as I did years ago. Thank you!
-Louise Price
Burke, Virginia
One of my biggest memories of the trip were visiting Jamestown. I especially remember exploring the site of the original church and wandering near the Civil War era breastworks. Of course I didn't know what the Civil War was at the time, but I do remember the "little hills" that I wasn't supposed to climb on. The other big memory was seeing the outdoor play. I cannot remember the name of the play, but I remember seeing it and asking my family a lot of questions. The one scene I remember the best was the one where a ship entered the harbor. I celebrated my 7th birthday with my family during my Jamestown trip.
-Deborah Lewis
Woodbridge Virginia
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