Welcome to a unique experience in exploring the past. You’re about to take a new look at an intriguing place in American history: Jamestown.

Most of us have heard about this early settlement in American Colonial history from our first years of elementary school. But what have we really learned? More often than not, our impressions of historical figures such as Pocahontas and John Smith were formed by our exposure to Hollywood-produced historical fiction rather than by a study of historical documents. In addition, how often have we contemplated the significance of Jamestown and the legacy it has in our modern world? How often do we consider that it was in this town that the cultures formed on three different continents – Africa, America, and Europe – first collided?

This online exhibit was created to explore the meeting of these three worlds. The story is presented in chapters that consist of a uniquely illustrated narrative, important event nodes, an extensive bibliography with live links to other online resources, and--perhaps most importantly – insightful video commentary from some of the most respected Jamestown historians alive today. You can also use the teachers' guide that is included with this online exhibit to extend your exploration of this interesting subject either on your own or as part of a curriculum.