Historic Christ Church & Museum (HCC&M) invites the public to two special programs in early May that explore the history of Jamestown and the American founding.
On May 3, Jamestown Rediscovery’s director of archaeology Dave Givens will present “The Foundations of Democracy at Historic Jamestowne.” Givens will share the Rediscovery team’s latest findings on the excavations in the 1617 church where Virginia’s General Assembly, the oldest continuous legislative body in the western hemisphere, first met in 1619, reported executive director Robert J. Teagle.
He will explain how forensic archaeology uncovered detailed evidence of the architecture of this church and others that followed in the mid-17th century. The program includes a light supper in the courtyard and a reception with Givens, said Teagle.
The program will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Historic Christ Church & Museum, 420 Christ Church Road, Weems.
On May 4, HCC&M will sponsor a bus trip to Jamestown for a private tour of the excavations with Givens and his colleagues. After lunch, the group will travel to the Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum at Yorktown to explore “Reign & Rebellion,” two new exhibitions that tell the story of early Virginia through the Stuart monarchy, he said.
On display are rare artifacts like the Rolfe Family Bible, a mourning ring of Charles I, and shells used by enslaved Africans. These artifacts combine with personal stories to reveal how the Stuart legacy shaped the colony from its founding in 1607 to the Revolution and a new American identity, said Teagle.
The bus will department at 8 a.m. from the Historic Christ Church visitor parking lot.
Tickets include the bus, museum admissions, lunch, breakfast treats and refreshments on the bus ride back.
Tickets may be purchased for Givens’ talk and the bus trip, $150; the talk itself, $35; or just the bus trip, $125. For tickets, visit christchurch1735.org or stop by the HCC&M office at 420 Christ Church Road, Weems.
