Sandra Steele, Educational Consultant

Emory & Henry College: After Exams, Students Travel to Historic Sites

Thursday, May 17, 2007
Six Emory & Henry College students recently visited historic Jamestown Island, the site of the original James Fort, with the intention of adding a memorable, up-close experience to their studies of colonial and revolutionary Virginia.

The students, who were members of a class taught by history professor Robert Vejnar, had just completed their final examinations before spending May 5-10 at Jamestown and other historical locations they had been studying the past semester.

The students included Robert Casassa of Virginia Beach, Keegan Donovan of Bluemont, Ashley McCormick of Galax, Casey Roberts of Saltville, Katelyn Shaver of Petersburg, and Elizabeth Stone of Lebanon.

They began their study adventure by touring Jamestown Island with internationally known archaeologist Dr. William M. Kelso, whose work led to finding the original fort site. Kelso gave the students a private briefing on what he and his team had uncovered at the site in the previous few weeks.

Over the next few days, students explored Colonial Williamsburg where they toured the Capitol, took in an evening performance of 17th century music at the Governor's Palace, witnessed the recreation of the 18th century witchcraft trial of Grace Sherwood, visited trade shops such as the apothecary and blacksmith, and witnessed as actor-interpreters brought Duke of Gloucester Street alive with scenes from the American Revolution.

An afternoon trip to Bacons Castle in Surry County, where in 1676 Nathaniel Bacon and his men gathered to foment rebellion against Gov. William Berkeley, introduced the students to the oldest brick home (built in 1665) still standing in North America. An excursion to the Yorktown Battlefield allowed the students to retrace the steps General George Washington’s took in leading the Continental Army to victory over the British in October 1781, thus ending the Revolutionary War.

On the return to Emory, the class toured the grounds of Westover Plantation, the home of William Byrd II, in Charles City County, as well as the grounds and house at Shirley Plantation, which has been home to the Hill-Carter family for 12 generations.