[MR] Early 17th C. Exhibit at UVA

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends,

A major new exhibit has opened in the David Harrison building at UVA. This exhibit shows artifacts recovered at Flowerdew Hundred, one of the first satellite settlements of Jamestown in the early 1600s. The on-line version of this exhibit has many photographs of the artifacts, some European, some native American, some from enslaved Africans. Given that many of the objects described are similar to common tools and household goods in use during the Elizabethan period, this exhibit should be of great interest to Scadians.


You can view the exhibit's extensive web site at: http://explore.lib.virginia.edu/exhibits/show/layersofthepast

David Harrison was a major donor to UVA, and also owned the modern Flowerdew Hundred farm. He promoted archaeological surveys of his property, and at one time his staff operated a small, but very professional museum on his property. Flowerdew Hundred also was the site of the first windmill in British North America. In commemoration, Harrison commissioned a full-sized working replica of a typical 16th post mill which was open to visitors (which I had the pleasure of being inside some 20 years ago; very creepy when it began to rotate itself into the wind). Following David Harrison's death, the artifacts from the digs were willed to the University of Virginia (I'm told there are over 200,000 pieces, and I have asked to serve on the team cataloging them).

I have waited many years for this exhibit to open, and look forward to seeing the artifacts in person after the holiday. If you visit Charlottesville, this exhibit is a must-see. Until then, like me, you will surely enjoy exploring the web site.

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, Whose Real Napier Ancestors Date to 1650 in Virginia