Historic Jamestown

In June 1606, King James I of England issued a charter to the Virginia Company of London to explore and eventually colonize a region in North America. Hoping to discover gold and enabling colonists to become rich quickly, all was forgotten as the new Englishmen sailed across the Atlantic in three distinct vessels: Discovery, Susan Constant, and Godspeed. In late May 1607,  the colonists landed near the James River, naming the spot Jamestown after King James I. Fortifications were erected to ward off attacks from the Spanish and Native Americans living in the region—specifically, the Powhatan tribe. Diseases such as malaria coupled with food shortages contributed to an alarmingly low survival rate; this can be witnessed during the Starving Time of 1609-10 in which 80% of the population perished. There was even one case of cannibalism in which a man ate his wife in order to stay alive. 

Conditions improved when John Smith became the leader of Jamestown, issuing his famous decree that if people did not work, they would receive no food. In other words, each person had to be an active participant for Jamestown to survive as a colony.  Initially, Jamestown struggled to become profitable, but after John Rolfe experimented with tobacco in 1614 and determined that Virginia was a suitable climate in which to grow it, England’s demand for the cash crop almost skyrocketed overnight! With the introduction of tobacco, Jamestown was soon a thriving colony. However, its one-crop based economy would experience immense fluctuations, especially during Bacon’s Rebellion in which tobacco prices declined sharply and rapidly. 

                 

When visiting Jamestown, I had the spectacular opportunity of touring all three ships, and to my astonishment, these were exact replicas of the ships, which were used to transport the original colonists. Furthermore, these ships actually worked, and one of the staff mentioned that they routinely take the ships out to sail them along the James River. One item that was quite compelling is that the ships did not contain any seats for the colonists, which I found quite odd. Therefore, I wonder if the colonists were confined to their beds, or if the replicas did not have seats for a specific reason. Sleeping quarters on the ship were quite cramped, and under such conditions, one could imagine the spreading of germs and diseases and how rampant they must have been. Additionally, each bed contained a curtain to maintain one’s privacy, though the beds were scarcely wide enough for one to adequately alter positions when sleeping without worrying about falling to the floor.

Becky, Alice, and I in front of the Armory trying on helmets.

I also visited the Armory and learned what type of armor was available to the English to defend themselves from Indian attacks. A very knowledgeable staff member allowed me to try on a helmet (without padding) as well as a breast plate all manufactured from metal. A common weapon that I learned that was used in close-combat fighting was a halberd—a multi-purpose tool capable of slicing through armor. This weapon contained an axe as well as a sphere, which could be quite deadly without armor covering the entire body. 

The historic portion of Jamestown was quite disappointing as widespread inaccessibility prevented me from understanding various archeological discoveries over the last several years. There was a museum with tons of artifacts behind glass without any audio describing what they were or used for. In the future, I would like to see this part improved to include either a Braille guide explaining the artifacts or an App on an IPhone or similar device.

Jamestown is important in that it was the first permanent English settlement in North America. America as a whole developed around Jamestown, and without it, America would not exist as it does today. Preserving such history is vital so that Americans can better understand their heritage as well as the difficulties that the colonists struggled with and overcame.

My Impressions Of Hollywood Cemetery

View overlooking the James River

Nestled in the heart of Richmond, Virginia, lies the Hollywood Cemetery, a hidden piece of history, with a majestic, sprawling landscape, and extraordinary views of the James River. On the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and on the Virginia Landmarks Register, the historic Hollywood Cemetery is named after the holly trees beautifully scattered throughout the property. The many generals, soldiers, and presidents buried at Hollywood command a level of reverence whose achievements must never be forgotten. 

As visitors tour the cemetery, the soothing backdrop of the rapids fill ones ears, providing a relaxing atmosphere, while reminding us that life is like a waterfall; it continues to move on. Encompassing 130 acres of land, the cemetery property was originally owned by William Byrd III, a wealthy planter elite in Virginia. The Harvie family, also buried in Hollywood, sought possession of the estate, and later, William Haxal and Joshua Fry collaborated with an architect, who constructed the facility. Officially, it was founded in 1847, and Oliver Baldwin delivered the dedication address. 

Those who are familiar with Arlington National Cemetery, know its mission is to honor those who fought in global conflicts. While these brave souls and their efforts to protect America domestically and abroad should not be neglected, Hollywood Cemetery is unique for the 28 Confederate generals buried on the grounds, making it the largest burial site of Confederate generals in the country. Moreover, Jefferson Davis, who was a senator, president of the Confederate States of America, and Secretary of War occupies a grave designated by a bronze statue atop his tombstone with a confederate flag symbolizing one of the most tumultuous events in U.S. history.

Jefferson Davis Memorial

Commemorated also are monuments for Presidents John Tyler and James Monroe buried at the Hollywood Cemetery. 

John Tyler Monument

James Monroe Monument (under construction)

Pyramid to honor the enlisted Confederate Soldiers

To honor enlisted men of the Confederacy, a 90-foot pyramid was erected in 1869. With no modern machinery to perform the heavy lifting and arrange the large stones, the pyramid is particularly appreciated for its craftsmanship in the creation of the perfect triangle.

Alice and I at the Pyramid

One has to wonder, were slaves used as the primary labor source, and if so, how severely was each slave worked? 

Cast-iron dog statue...a favorite of visitors

Also compelling was a grave with a cast-iron dog which presided over the person buried; evidence points to a child, named Florence Rees, only 2-years-old who succumbed to yellow fever and died. Her grandfather owned the statue of the dog, and young Florence fell in love with the innocent-looking creature. Because cast-iron was in scarce supply and was often used during the Civil War to be melted down to form bullets, her grandfather preserved it, and it continues to guard over Florence.

First burial in Hollywood Cemetery

Surprising were the various shapes of tombstones; some featured slanted plaques on the ground with fancy lettering carved into them, while still others were granite and contained miniature roofs. Previously, I toured a cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana where mausoleums were commonplace, but never have I felt a mausoleum featuring a gate through which crypts could be seen. Further, I learned the more impoverished people were, the smaller their mausoleums. Hollywood Cemetery is an important legacy to our nation’s history. Hollywood Cemetery allows one to piece together a time in history before the Civil War to America’s most notable icons. Without such memorials, history would not be as rich as it is today. 

The faculty at Hollywood does an excellent job preserving the vibrant history of the cemetery and can be enjoyed via walking tours, Segway rides, trolley buses, and more. Unfortunately, where the organization falls short is the Virtual Tour option, which gives information about each grave.

Map of Cemetery

Regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), certain content is accessible on the iPhone, however, buttons to go to the “next” and “previous” items did not always work as intended. Additionally, the experience using a laptop was more disheartening, as there are maps with no descriptions.

To fully appreciate the cemetery as a blind person, a book should be offered in Braille, including a table of contents, so the various graves can be referenced in the most efficient method possible. 

View of the cemetery

       Another view overlooking the James River with partial view of Richmond in the background

Overall, I would recommend Hollywood Cemetery to anyone who is interested in the Civil War, mysteries such as the Iron Dog grave, and for its stunning scenery and Virginia landscape!