Curator of Collections Merry Outlaw examines specimens in Jamestown Rediscovery’s archaeological “vault” (Jamestown Rediscovery)
Founded in 1994, the Jamestown Rediscovery project focused on locating the site of the 17th-century James Fort on the James River. Since then, its mission has evolved into a more challenging undertaking. Under the direction of archeologist Willam Kelso, two dozen staff members excavate, interpret, preserve, conserve, and research the site’s findings. The team has mapped thousands of archaeological features such as post holes, ditches, wells, foundations, graves, and pits. More than 2.5 million unearthed artifacts require the curation and conservation environment provided by the state-of-the-art, on-site Rediscovery Research Center.
Meet a curator, archaeologist, and project historian as they offer a private behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating work of the Jamestown Rediscovery team. They lead an outdoor walking tour and visits to both the project’s vaults—rarely seen by the public—and the Archaearium, which together tell the eloquent archeological story of life and death in North America’s first permanent English settlement. The group tours New Town, where Jamestown began expanding from a fort to a port in the 1620s. Participants also learn the story of Angela, who was among the first 20 Africans taken to Jamestown in 1619, and the only one in the colony whose name is known. This is a not-to-be missed day for aficionados of early-American history.
Lunch at a riverside café on site is included, and refreshments are served en route home; the return includes a stop to purchase food.
Fringe stop at about 8 a.m.
Smithsonian Connections
Learn how findings unearthed by Smithsonian scientists in 2015 led to the identification of the remains of four prominent settlers of the Jamestown colony.
