Virginia

In 1607 Jamestown became the first permanent English settlement in the New World. This was thirteen years before Pilgrims landed at Plymouth Rock. The actual settlement was 60 miles from Chesapeake Bay, on the banks of the James River. The colonists were under attack from Native American Indians and also feared attacks from the Spanish explorers. Disease and famine along with theses attacks took a great toll on these early settler's and in 1609 the survivors made plans to abandon the settlement. However, the arrival of a new governor and supply ships brought the colonists back and the marriage of Pocahontas to John Rolfe finally seemed to bring peace and prosperity to Jamestown.

Virginia became a Crown Colony in 1624 with Jamestown as the capital until a fire destroyed the statehouse in 1698. At that time the capital was moved to Williamsburg and Jamestown began to disappear. By the 1750's most of the area was heavily cultivated and Jamestown was no more.

The island that Jamestown was built on was used as a military post during the Civil War, but little attention was given to preservation of the area until the 20th Century. In the late 1800's the owner's of the land gave 22 acres of land and the church tower of 1639 to the APVA. Erosion had destroyed most of the western shore and the fort was under water. In 1900 a seawall was constructed to protect the site and in 1934 the National Park Service acquired the land and established it as an historical park.

Today Virginia offers visitors a wide variety of both historical sites and modern adventures. Take a tour through the Blue Ridge Highlands to Bristol where the Bristol Motor Speedway is home to many NASCAR races. There is also the Country Music Alliance Museum which houses many relics of well known country tunes. The restored birthplace of Tennessee Ernie Ford is here. There are music festivals and theaters to attend throughout the summer and fall.

Central Virginia and Richmond will give visitors a good look at the African American heritage, which was once called the "Birthplace of Black Capitalism". Visit the home of Maggie Walker, an ex-slave's daughter who became the first black female bank president. The state also is home to the first African-American governor. And, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson who tap danced his way through the movies with Shirley Temple was also born here.

The Chesapeake Bay area offers beaches, water sports, wildlife and tours for everyone. The largest concentration of bald eagles summer here. The Potomac River is known for fossils, shark's teeth and whale bones that are found along its shores. There are antique boats and fishing museums to tour along with a relaxing trip on a ferry boat across the Corrotoman River.

Follow Daniel Boone's trail across the mountains and visit coal mines, pioneer settlements and the "Grand Canyon" of the South at Breaks Interstate Park. This park offers hiking trails, paddleboats, horseback rides, swimming mountain trails and fine dining. There is also the A.P. Carter Museum dedicated to the state's country music heritage. On Saturday night's there are music shows and exhibitions of the Carter Family who began recording music in 1927. And there are several historic parks, including the Cumberland Gap which is the nations largest park and offers a view of Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia from the Pinnacle Overlook. And you won't want to miss the Natural Tunnel State Park to see the 100 foot high, 850 foot long tunnel that was formed by natural erosion of water through the rock.

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