Publick Days

The 1619 Burgesses and Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement

Watch 400 years of history come to life at Henricus’ signature Publick Days celebration! Explore life in Virginia beginning with the Powhatan Indians and the founding of Henricus in 1611 and ending with the Civil War in 1861. This year’s event will largely focus on the 400th anniversary of the 1619 House of Burgesses. Gather inside the church and help the Henricus colonists select who will represent them at the first legislative assembly in Jamestown! Visitors will also be able to come on board the 17th-century ship replica, Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement.

Cost:  $5 per person; Henricus Members: free; Groupon vouchers cannot be used for this event.

Time: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

EVENT SCHEDULE

1pm – Come out to Vote in 1619!  (Location – Church/Meeting Hall)

The public are invited to come meet their first chosen 1619 legislators (burgesses), Thomas Dowse and John Polentine of Henrico. They want to hear from you, the community, about your concerns for the future of the Virginia colony! Guests will help the colonists affirm their selection of burgesses with a yay or nay – but will everyone’s vote count? Come find out!

ON-GOING INTERPRETATION

• Powhatan Town of Arrohateck – Flint knapping, Native construction, Powhatan Politics
• Church – Meet 1619 Burgess Thomas Dowse
• Court de Guard – Life of a colonist, weapons & armor, music
• Blacksmith’s Forge & Carpenter’s Barn – Trades demonstrations
• Proctor’s Plantation – Women on 1619 plantations
• Tobacco Barn – Tobacco harvest & the cost of living in Virginia
• Ordinary/Tavern – Storytelling
• Mt. Malady – 17^th-century medicine & surgery
• Rocke Hall (Polentine’s Plantation) – Meet Burgess John Polentine, plantation life, religion in 1619 Virginia
• Military Through the Ages on Henricus Bluff – Revolutionary War Navy & 1781 Militia, 1864 Civil War Confederate/Washington Artillery of New Orleans with cannon demos and Union/New York Engineers, 1917-1918 WWI Doughboys & singing
• Godspeed from Jamestown Settlement on Henricus Dock – Tours of the 17^th-century replica ship

EVENT SCHEDULE

11am & 3pm* 1918 WWI Doughboys (Bluff)
Living historians will portray members of the World War I 80th Division of the United States Army, who were trained at nearby Camp (Fort) Lee, used Dutch Gap Canal as their artillery range, and then went off to France and fought there through 1918. They returned to Camp Lee in May and June 1919. This program commemorates the 100th anniversary of their service. The demonstration will involve firing circa 1918 rifles.
*3pm program Saturday only*

12pm & 2pm 1864 Confederate Artillery (Bluff)
Living historians will portray members of the elite Washington Artillery of New Orleans in the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia that fought near Dutch Gap through 1864 and 1865. This program will involve firing a large reproduction Civil War cannon.

1pm Come out to Vote in 1619! (Church/Meeting Hall)
The public are invited to come meet their first chosen 1619 legislators (burgesses), Thomas Dowse and John Polentine of Henrico. They want to hear from you, the community, about your concerns for the future of the Virginia colony! Guests will help the colonists affirm their selection of burgesses with a yay or nay – but will everyone’s vote count? Come find out!

Publick Days is sponsored by the Society of Colonial Wars in the State of Virginia.