Virginians began designating sacred soil early in the 19th century as
part of the development of American nationalism.  Jamestown was "sacred"
as the birthplace of America -- it had the remains of the church tower
and the ancient graveyard as visual points of reference.  Travellers
visiting the site expressed a kind of "awe" and reverence for the place.
Virginia was also "sacred" as the birthplace of George Washington, etc.
This kind of nationalism was particularly competitive with other
nationalist versions of the American story -- most notably of New
England's "Pilgrim fathers" who were already being lauded and publicized
as the "true" founders of America.

Designating space as sacred was also part of the romantic impulse -- the
same impulse that manifested itself in the "cult of southern chivalry"
(complete with jousting) -- that sought distinctiveness on which to base
character and identity.  The federal soldiers who bragged about invading
Virginia's sacred soil knew they were hitting a nerve.

David Kiracofe
College of Charleston

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