America's 400th Anniversary: Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee Report

146 Pages·2009·20.69 MB·English

America’s 400th Anniversary
Jamestown 2007
STEERING COMMITTEE REPORT
America’s 400th
Anniversary
Jamestown 2007
steering committee report
Published by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth
of Virginia designated in 1996 by the Virginia General Assembly “as the official entity
of the Commonwealth charged with the planning and implementation of the
400th anniversary celebration of the Jamestown settlement.”
Report design and printing paid for by private funds.
No part of this report may be reprinted without the permission
of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
cover photo and above
The Godspeed, a replica of one of the three ships that brought
English settlers to America in 1607, passes the Statue of
Liberty as it sails into New York Harbor, June 26, 2006.
back cover photo
Memorial Church, Tercentenary Monument, and statue
of Captain John Smith at Historic Jamestowne.
cover and book design
Mellen Street Graphics, Hampton, Virginia
ii America’s 400th Anniversary
November 1, 2008
To Governor Timothy M. Kaine and our Colleagues in the
Virginia General Assembly:
The 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown provided an
opportunity to showcase Virginia in ways not afforded to any other state.
Our Commonwealth holds the honor of serving as the place where the
foundations of our nation were established, although this distinction
has not always been clear to many Americans. We set out to correct the
record and bring benefits to communities throughout the Commonwealth
in the process.
We are pleased to report tens of thousands of citizens throughout
the Commonwealth participated in the planning and implementation of
Jamestown 2007 — America’s 400th Anniversary. We are even more pleased
to tell you they achieved results greatly exceeding expectations. Those results
in Virginia include generating $1.2 billion in sales; creating more than 20,600
jobs; providing $22 million in tax revenue for Virginia and $6.4 million for
local governments; and earning more than 12 billion media impressions that
promoted Virginia as a tourism destination.
This report provides an overview of the commemoration, an eighteen-
month-long series of events and programs that were inclusive, educational,
and economically productive.
We congratulate you for having the vision to support this endeavor at its
launch in 1997, and we thank you for your support throughout the ten-year
duration of its planning and implementation.
Sincerely,
Vincent F. Callahan, Jr.
Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees
Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
Co-Chairman, Board of Trustees
Chair, Jamestown 2007
Management Committee
cc: The Honorable H. Benson Dendy III
Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee Report iii
America’s 400th Anniversary afforded us the perfect opportunity to reflect on the
significance of the early days of our nation and the diverse contributions that were so essential
to its development. It was a moment to inspire Americans and to reconnect with the people, the
events, and the ideas that gave us our start.
This commemoration of our shared heritage provided a platform for recognizing the unifying
legacies of democracy, free enterprise, cultural diversity, and the spirit of exploration that first
took root at Jamestown, Virginia, in the spring of 1607. Jamestown’s 400th anniversary played an
important role in helping Americans across the country consider their own sense of civic pride
and responsibility.
We focused on our shared history over the course of this special eighteen-month
commemoration, but we also looked forward to the future, to the generations that will follow
us as guardians of our nation’s ideals. A lasting legacy of America’s 400th anniversary will
be a renewed sense of the importance of educating our young people about the origins of
our democratic republic and the importance of citizen engagement to its well being.
It was an honor to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime event.
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor
Honorary Chair
America’s 400th Anniversary
iv America’s 400th Anniversary
Acknowledgements
Stuart W. Connock, Chairman
Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee
With a project of the enormous scope and commemoration evolve from a general concept
encompassing nature of Jamestown’s 400th to an exciting, far-reaching reality. Many
anniversary, it is difficult to fully recognize members of the General Assembly played
everyone who contributed to the undertaking. critical roles in making this possible, but I want
The commemoration was the product of dozens to particularly acknowledge Speaker William J.
of leaders, tens of thousands of individuals, and Howell, Senator Norment, Delegate Callahan
hundreds of community groups and partner and Delegate M. Kirkland Cox for their steadfast
organizations. support and tireless efforts. During this period
The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation the Commonwealth experienced both times of
Board of Trustees, whose co-chairs during the economic surplus and financial difficulty, but the
commemoration were Delegate Vincent F. General Assembly maintained its support.
Callahan, Jr., and Senator Thomas K. Norment, Commemoration planners included many
Jr., provided a strong and engaged organization partner organizations. APVA Preservation
that contributed ideas and resources. With Virginia and Colonial National Historical Park,
the appointment of the Jamestown-Yorktown which jointly operate Historic Jamestowne,
Foundation as the Commonwealth’s lead worked hand-in-hand with the Jamestown-
planning agency for the commemoration, the Yorktown Foundation. Other agencies of the
board formed the Jamestown 2007 Steering Commonwealth, notably the Virginia Tourism
Committee. The Steering Committee was an Corporation, supported the commemoration in
inclusive body that shaped the commemoration, many ways, as did the Historic Triangle Jamestown
and its volunteer leadership ultimately ensured the 2007 Host Committee.
commemoration’s success. The federal Jamestown 400th Commemora-
Four governors worked in many ways to tion Commission and the British Jamestown
support Jamestown’s 400th anniversary: Governor 2007 Committee supported the success of the
George F. Allen, Governor James S. Gilmore III, commemoration by playing key roles in several
Governor Mark R. Warner, and Governor commemorative events in the United States
Timothy M. Kaine. Each moved the project and in England. The Federal Commission served
forward during his administration, and we are as a liaison to federal agencies and ensured
indebted to them for their efforts. international participation in anniversary events.
Members of the Virginia General Assembly Several individuals served the commemora-
authorized significant funding during more tion with distinction from beginning to end.
than a decade, and this support helped the These members of the volunteer leadership —
Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee Report v
Frank B. Atkinson, H. Benson Dendy III, and President, and C.E.O. Colin G. Campbell,
Suzanne O. Flippo — took upon themselves Mr. Dendy, and me. Their leadership is
enormous tasks and were influential in shaping greatly appreciated.
the commemoration during early planning. Their Finally, this commemoration could not have
contributions were strategic and effective. Each achieved success without the support of corporate
played a variety of roles, served on numerous sponsors. Our thanks are extended to Norfolk
committees, attended many events, and traveled Southern Corporation; Colonial Williamsburg
great distances to benefit the commemoration. Foundation; Verizon; Anheuser-Busch Companies,
The Jamestown 2007 Management Inc.; Philip Morris USA; AirTran Airways;
Committee guided the commemoration and made SunTrust; Dominion; Wolseley-Ferguson;
day-to-day decisions as planning evolved into TowneBank; James City County; Rutherfoord
implementation. Senator Norment served as chair Insurance; the City of Poquoson; Consol Energy,
of the Management Committee that included Inc., and CNX Gas; Lockheed Martin; and
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation Chairman, McGuire Woods LLP.

Her Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II and His
Royal Highness The
Prince Philip, Duke
of Edinburgh, came to
Jamestown Settlement on
May 4, 2007, as part of a
two-day visit to Virginia,
which also included
stops at the State Capitol
in Richmond, Colonial
Williamsburg, Historic
Jamestowne, and the
College of William
and Mary.
vi America’s 400th Anniversary
Table of Contents
1 Introduction: America’s 400th Anniversary — Jamestown 2007
3 Part One 43 Part Four
Two Centuries of Jamestown Observances Implementation of America’s
5 The 1807 Jubilee at Jamestown 400th Anniversary: 2006–2008
5 Jamestown Anniversary of 1857 44 The 2006 Godspeed Sail
Launches the Commemoration
5 The 1907 Ter-Centennial Exposition
46 FALL 2006 EVENTS
7 The 1957 Jamestown Festival
46 Virginia Indians:
400 Years of Survival
9 Part Two 49 The African American Preview Gala
Planning America’s
50 The 225th Anniversary of the
400th Anniversary: 1996–2002 Victory at Yorktown
11 Primary Partnerships 52 Jamestown Live! Experience the
Journey that Changed the World
11 Staff and Major Committees
55 COMMEMORATIVE EVENTS IN ENGLAND
12 Public Participation
57 EVENTS OF THE ANNIVERSARY YEAR
12 Cultural Inclusion
57 The 2007 State of the Black Union
15 Funding the Commemoration
60 The World of 1607
62 Journey Up the James
19 Part Three 65 Jamestown Attracts Worldwide
Program Development: 2003–2006 Attention: The Royal Visit
73 America’s Anniversary Weekend
20 Jamestown’s Legacies
84 Smithsonian Folklife Festival:
21 Signature Event Development
The Roots of Virginia Culture
22 Community Program Launch
86 The American Indian Intertribal Festival
25 Partnerships 88 2007 Virginia Black Expo —
27 Jamestown 2007 Organizations A Commerce & Cultural Exposition
33 Sponsorships 90 The World Forum on the Future
of Democracy
38 Signature Event Planning
39 Marketing Strategies
95 Part Five
42 National Chair
Marketing America’s 400th Anniversary
105 Virginia Tourism Corporation Promotions
107 Part Six
Results
112 Elements for Success

122 Appendix
136 Photo Credits
Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee Report vii
America’s Anniversary Weekend fireworks.
viii America’s 400th Anniversary
Introduction
America’s 400th Anniversary — Jamestown 2007
Virginia has led our nation in the Anniversary was conceived and implemented
commemoration of the founding of Jamestown as a public-private partnership effort of great
every fifty years beginning in 1807. In 2007 the magnitude. Its success was achieved through the
400th anniversary was the most successful of all vision and resources committed by the elected
of these observances. Thirteen signature events leadership of the Commonwealth of Virginia,
were produced over eighteen months, attracting the determination of volunteer leadership and
high-profile national and international leaders professional staff, the foresight and generosity of
such as President George W. Bush, Her Majesty more than a dozen companies and institutions
Queen Elizabeth II, and retired Supreme Court that joined the commemoration as corporate
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The events sponsors, and the support of local governments.
varied in size, location, and emphasis, with more The combined financial support, representing
than 2.5 million people participating on site more than $48 million, ensured the world-class
in at least one signature event. An additional stature of the commemoration’s signature events
million students and teachers participated online and many complementary educational programs.
during the “Jamestown Live!” educational The Commonwealth was the strongest and most
webcast. Television broadcasts of the 2007 State consistent supporter of the commemoration,
of the Black Union on C-SPAN and TVOne, providing seed money for planning as early as
subsequent telecasts of “Jamestown Live!” on The the mid-1990s, and ultimately it was the largest
History Channel, and airings of the Jamestown financial contributor. Local governments,
2007-produced one-hour syndicated special of especially James City County, where Jamestown
America’s Anniversary Weekend carried these is located, also provided critical resources
three signature events into more than 150 million throughout. In addition, corporate sponsors not
additional American households. only made significant financial investments,
The Virginia 2007 Community Program but also contributed many services and the
enrolled 181 localities and organizations involvement of their employees.
representing nearly the entire Commonwealth. More than $400 million of public and private
Collectively they planned and produced more funding supported important infrastructure
than 1,000 additional programs and events that improvements and expanded educational
engaged hundreds of thousands more people. programming that prepared the Historic Triangle
Partnerships were formed with 150 state and for the anniversary. Foundations and individual
national organizations, some of which produced donors generously supported fundraising
events that involved even more participation. campaigns conducted by APVA Preservation
Virginia 2007 Community Program and partner Virginia, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation,
events together involved more than 1.4 million the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc.,
people within the Commonwealth of Virginia. and the National Park Service. The result of
Supported over twelve years by the these campaigns — new museums and galleries,
Commonwealth of Virginia, America’s 400th expanded and revitalized outdoor living-history
Jamestown 2007 Steering Committee Report 1