Establishing the First Permanent English Colony

On May 14, 1607, Jamestown, the first permanent English Colony in the New World was established. Sponsored by the Virginia Company, it was located on the James (first known as the Powhatan) River, about 2 1/2 miles southwest of the more modern town of Williamsburg, Virginia. But the colonists had a rough time those first years.

The mortality rate remained high, mainly due to disease and extreme hunger. Eighty percent of the settlers died in 1609-1610 in what history has called the "Starving Time." At first, the Native Americans helped them, because the colonists didn't like the idea of working hard at farming. But misunderstandings and culture clashes ensued, and wars soon broke out. Other settlers trickled in and colony did manage to survive, but settling this New World remained hard.

Today the historic site is one point on the Historic Triangle of Colonial Virginia, comprised of Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown. It is a living history park and museum where visitors can see what the beginnings of this country looked like. In 2007, Jamestown celebrated its 400th anniversary. 

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