Hello All:

Based on the two earlier posts I have read, I am at least the 3d or 4th 
survivor of the "Jamestown Experience," circa 2007.  I went on the 
beastly hot Friday, arriving early enough to overhear the bureaucratic
hassles--i.e., 3 NO and 4 YES answers from various officials about
whether a young couple could take a 3-wheeled stroller for their child
onto the shuttle bus!  "Handicap Accessibility" was the wrong issue
to wrangle over, and it seemed that the family was to be turned away
until someone with sense said, "OF COURSE they can take their 
child, since the stroller would fit behind the driver's seat!"  
Unfortunately,
an officious, tyrannical policy was enforced at the Anniversary Park, 
when lot workers would not allow several senior citizens ready to drop
from exhaustion to walk the 30 yards directly to their shuttle bus back
to satellite parking, forcing them to trudge the 400 yards all around the
metal barricades.  What Nonsense.  Adults can surely see--avoid bus
traffic--because shopping mall lots are far more congested and danger-
ous.  Too much official mothering and liability paranoia to trump common
sense, especially odd since the school buses we rode on had cardboard
seat backs and no safety belts (plus, two of my drivers were yelled at by 
cops for speeding!).

The Anniversary Park was a waste--so much open ground, too few 
tents/booths of any interest or relevance, and ditto Randy's comment
about that scrip nonsense.  I purchased $100 worth, thinking there would 
be good vendors with merchandise (besides caps and shirts) actually 
relating to Jamestown, but eventually only used $8 on a Bud (still 
available in St. Louis) and a glass of wine, also at a Bud booth(!).

I had seen all of the "Island" sites on a recent visit, so I spent most of 
my indoor time at the Jamestown Settlement.  FANTASTIC--and 
fortunately most of the best stuff will long outlast the weekend.  The
borrorwed items for the short-term "The World of 1607" exhibit was OK,
but the permanent galleries are marvelous, enlightening, and BALANCED/
OBJECTIVE, which most of the British press accounts did not report
fairly.  Spend enough time there, and you will have a better appreciation
of Jamestown's honestly-presented multicultural history, beautifully
designed and visually stunning, than any single book yet written.  Kudos
to the Settlement staff.  All Virginians can be proud of that site and 
learn much from it.

The "official opening ceremony" at 4 pm Friday was underwhelming, 
conducted on a stage about the size of my living room.  It had me 
thinking about the "world's fair" atmosphere and huge multi-state and
international pavilions at the 1907 celebration (no I wasn't there).

Despite that low key affair, we should all respect the true heroes of
Virginia History TODAY--the archaeologists and historians who have
enhanced our appreciation for the past at Jamestown, Werowocomoco,
and many other sites.  They all deserve much more recognition and 
better pay, bringing the past into the present for the future. 
 
One final thought:  In completing my 2000 mile drive from and back to 
St. Louis, the worst roads I encountered in 7 states were the interstate
highways in the Richmond metro area.  They are teeth clattering, bone 
jarring, and alignment-altering roads far too dangerous for high speeds.
Getting to Jamestown may have left out-of-state visitors with a less than
appreciative opinion of the "Old Dominion's" progress and its priorities 
in spending funds. 

Best,

Fred Fausz 

Our REAL heroes onor we paid to the past this weekend had less to do with 
a beer company from St. Louis was thanks to the 
dedicated research of 


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