Archaeologists find pieces of a small medicine jar that are linked to the Lost Colony

MANTEO, N.C.

Archaeologists have found pottery pieces that could have been part of a jar belonging to a medicine maker of the Roanoke voyages, and even a member of the lost colony.

The two quarter-sized fragments, colored blue, white and brown, were buried in the soil two feet below the surface not far from The Lost Colony theater ticket house. An earthen mound believed to be a fort from the period lies 75 yards from the discovery site.

“It was an exciting find,” said Eric Deetz, an archaeologist with the First Colony Foundation who was part of the dig earlier this month. “That pottery had something to do with the Elizabethan presence on that island.”

The ointment or medicine jar would have been 3 inches tall and 1.5 inches in diameter, Deetz said. He called it the most significant piece of pottery found in the area since the 1940s.

Continued here:

http://tinyurl.com/zfporpt


This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

The Lost Colony’ to Hold Baby Virginia Dare Auditions July 21

Born on August 18, 1587, Virginia Dare is the most celebrated child in the history of the Outer Banks, if not America, and local parents are invited to audition their newborns this weekend for a starring role as the country’s first English born child in The Lost Colony‘s annual Virginia Dare birthday performance next month!

Virginia Dare Baby auditions will be held this Saturday, July 21 at 10am inside the conference room at the Elizabethan Gardens on Roanoke Island, adjacent to the The Lost Colony building and the Waterside Theatre.

You can read the official press release below.

Three-month-old Ozzie Artz of Kill Devil Hills starred as “Baby Virginia Dare” in the christening scene in ‘The Lost Colony’ on August 18, 2007. (photo: Artz Music & Photography)

Each year on the anniversary of her birth, a whirlwind of festivities take place in her honor. But the one event that locals look forward to the most is The Lost Colony‘s performance where the usual theater prop swaddled in blankets is replaced by a living, breathing, infant!

Baby auditions will be held on Saturday, July 21 at 10:00 am in the conference room of The Elizabethan Gardens located next to The Lost Colony Building in the Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. The casting is open to good-natured boys or girls that weigh no more than 15 pounds.

From its earliest days, The Lost Colony featured community members in the cast and the tradition of the “Virginia Dare Baby” honors that essential connection between our community and the show. The babies may not remember it, but their parents will certainly show them pictures and tell them about it for years to come.

In addition to the special Virginia Dare Night performance August 18, The Lost Colony, in conjunction with National Park Service and The Elizabethan Gardens, will host Virginia Faire Day–a fun filled family event. For more information about the talent search, call 252.473.2127.

Ozzie Artz of Kill Devil Hills starred as “Baby Virginia Dare” in the christening scene in ‘The Lost Colony’ on August 18, 2007. (photo: Artz Music & Photography)

This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

Save the Date: Virginia Dare's Birthday Celebration

 by Roberta Estes

You're Invited  to  Virginia Dare's Birthday Party

August 18th

Once again, we're celebrating the birthday of little Virginia Dare, born on Roanoke Island on August 18th, 1587, the first European child to be born in what is now America.  Virginia is 424 years old this year!

Every year, the National Park Service hosts a birthday party and celebration for Virginia at the Fort Raleigh National Historic site.  This includes the Park area near the Waterside Theater where the plays are held and the Fort area as well as the Elizabethan Gardens, located nearby but separately.  In the past, we've been near the Waterside Theater, but this year, we're in a new location at the Elizabethan Gardens.  

Now for the great news - entrance to the Elizabethan Gardens is free that day in celebration of Virginia's birthday.

Dawn Taylor and Baylus Brooks will be representing our group.  They will have the list of colonists, info about our projects, and some of the archaeological artifacts found in recent digs on Hatteras Island.  

The Faire includes free activities, music, games and fun for all.  Actors from the play mingle with the crown, in costume of course, during the day.  Be sure to stay for the special play in the evening.  Awards are presented to cast members and a real baby Virginia Dare is included in the case, just for this one special evening.  This is truely an event to remember.

Baylus and Dawn are looking forward to meeting and greeting people.  Hopefully you can be one of them.  We welcome any of our members not just as visitors, but as volunteers as well.  If you're coming to visit and can spend an hour or two, plan on joining Dawn and Baylus at the table.  Just let us know so we're expecting you.  

The address for the Elizabethan Gardens is 1411 National Park Drive, Manteo, NC and we'll be there from about 9 to about 3.




This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

Virginia Dare or The Birth of a Nation, Baylus Brooks

Born 18th August 1587

A tiny mewling baby all red and splotchy

And already fiercely independent.

What joy filled their hearts as her cries

Drifted on the scented air.

So many hopes and fears swaddled tight,

One small bundle with the future of a nation

Grasped briefly in her chubby pink fingers.



What became of Virginia Dare

And the others of the "Lost Colony"?

How long did they search

With no trace ever found.

Only the grey eyed Indians

Perhaps held the key.

How long did she live?



Such an heroic name for little Virginia Dare

One name remembered amongst a multitude

Of others long forgotten.

Today, we set fair for Roanoke… to the beginnings of the story that holds a nation spellbound in wonder. For us, the “great mystery” only requires evidence to prove that it was no mystery. And our efforts over the many years (months for myself) have gained great riches! But, Anne and Dawn (and eventually me) came to Manteo today to promote our endeavors, yes, but mostly to honor the birthday of Virginia Dare, daughter of Ananias and Eleanor Dare, first English child to be born in what is now the United States. It occurred on Roanoke Island right here in North Carolina.

The festivities at the Lost Colony Theater grounds were to begin at 11:00 a.m. Where was I? Touring the island of Roanoke. For me, it was my first visit. Arriving at 8:30 a.m. I had plenty of opportunity to visit the Roanoke Festival Park first and tour the Elizabethan-era remake of a type of English ship that brought our colonists from England to these shores. The facilities that made this ship are located on the island as well.

I stayed long enough to watch a harquebus being fired from the deck of the ship. This was a deck-mounted affair (as opposed to shoulder-mounted) that was quickly reloadable through the use of a removable powder canister that could be refilled and reloaded in short order. The smoke and roar was not bad compared to its bigger brothers and sisters usually kept below on the gun deck.













I also had a chance to stop in at the Outer Banks History Center, a part of the North Carolina Division of Archives and History. There are several good Hatteras collections that will require our close attention. Sarah, a curator at the center, gave me some excellent research tips on Hatteras history and previous work.

I also stopped by the Settlement Re-enactment to speak with the blacksmith, who worked in an old wattle and daub type structure very similar to what the colonists would have used. While I was there, I drilled him on what modifications he thought that the colonists might have made to their structures after having moved off the island, possibly incorporating Algonquian building techniques as did the Jamestown colonists after realization that the wetter weather made that necessary. They covered their homes in tree bark to make them more weatherproof.

I also spied a nice set of armor to go with my new red leggings. Nice!

From the Festival Park, I arrived just after 11 to find Anne and Dawn hard at work. They were already set up with various potsherds of both Indian and English manufacture, all found mixed at the same level on Hatteras Island, near Buxton. There were also deer bone that Anne will tell you proves that there was plenty of food to support the mere 100+ colonists of 1587.

Our intrepid archaeologists also found a half-naked Algonquian man to “talk” to. Yeah, right! I did notice that there were no half-naked Algonquian females around. Hmmmph! Good girl, Dawn, keeping your hands carefully crossed in front of you like that.

Well, I’m not a half-naked Indian, but somehow I managed to get between the gals. This was a great opportunity for me because I have never met these two great researchers. We have spent the summer communicating by email and I have hundreds of emails to prove it. A lot of progress has been made too. I’m looking forward to the digs in November and April to find what we have spent the past few months theorizing and maybe learn from my partners a little about archaeological work and methods.

After packing up for the day, Anne and Dawn decided to give me a tour backstage of the Lost Colony Theater. Here’s what it looks like when no one is around. But, there are more goodies in the back…

They decided to make a brief stop to vandalize a local tree before moving on, however.

The crew was preparing for that night’s performance as we arrived and we toured the grounds. Luckily, they knew these guys and we didn’t get thrown out!

We even got into the costume department and even the makeup. Of course, we didn’t get to be in the play but you can’t have everything. I even have a really good 16th-century English accent… at least the guys at the Settlement said so. They were well-practiced with theirs.



 here be ye props… I’ve been looking for a chair just like that for my living room, too.

Well, it’s been a great trip but, I had to be off to get ready for school. My wife and I both start this week. So, these two will watch tonight’s play and then sit around in their hotel room and, as Bobbi wistfully recalled, speculate on what happened with those abandoned colonists that we now know so well:

I remember my first time at that cast party sitting looking over the water and watching a shooting star. What must they have thought when they saw them too? Did they think they were omens that they were going to be rescued, or relieved, or maybe just visited by people from England with news of their families? Did they see John White's boats in the 1590 trip sail by Croatoan Island and was that smoke a desperate signal? Did they follow the ships to Roanoke as quickly as they could, only to discover they were too late? Did they know how close they were to rescue or replenishment?

Goodnight, Virginia Dare! We’ll get together again next year. Maybe by then, we’ll have some news of your grandfather, John White. Maybe we’ll even know you a little better as well. Whatever we find, I’m sure we’ll have fun doing it! As for ye rest, Fare thee well, ye lubbers!

Baylus Brooks


This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

Virginia Dare Birthday Celebration August 18th

Waterside Theatre Presenting These Entertaining Productions in 2010!

Virginia Dare Faire

This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

Virginia Dare Faire: Happy Birthday Virginia!!!

Tomorrow is the big day!!!

Virginia Dare Faire

Celebrate Virginia Dare’s 423rd birthday at Fort Raleigh National Historic Site on Roanoke Island. Attend a full day of free activities for the family that include make and take crafts; games; entertainment; activities; free cake and ice cream. Reserve your seats early for the evening performance of The Lost Colony that cameos infant actors as baby Virginia—ticket charges apply.

We are very fortunate to have two representatives, Anne Poole and Dawn Taylor, who will be staffing a DNA testing booth. We expect to have photos soon.

This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

Virginia Dare Birthday Celebration August 18th

First Published August 18^th, 2009

Roberta Estes and Anne Poole

Day 3 – August 18^th – 2009 Tuesday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIRGINIA DARE!!!!

Little Virginia could never have imagined the impact she would have in a misty and uncertain future. We don’t even know that she even lived past a few days of age, so her future might have been very short. Then again, if she lived to a ripe old age, she could have lived to be 70 or 80 years old. In fact, the Lumbee have a story that tells us that Virginia Dare is buried in Robeson County. Is it true? Well, it could be, assuming of course that she lived. We do know from historical records that there were people living in the Robeson County area as early as 1654. A surveyor entered the area to survey and got himself run off by a group of people with guns. Seems they didn’t want the land they were living on surveyed.

But the Virginia Dare we are all familiar with is the child, the baby, born on August 18^th, 1587, to her young mother, Eleanor White Dare, wife of Ananias Dare shortly after landing on Roanoke Island. A marker at Fort Raleigh today commemorates her birth, but looks for all the world like a tombstone.

The Virginia Dare Faire at Fort Raleigh is always free and fun. Today’s event included the Kitty Hawk Kite Company, face painting, a balloon artist, Pizza Hut with free samples, the cast cruising about in costume, singing, dancing, juggling swords, playing “old games” with visitors and more throughout the park. Of course, we had our table there among the festivities as well.

We were fortunate that 2 of our members, Aleda Bunch and Jeri Evans, joined Anne and I for the day. There were lots of questions to be answered as many people stopped by and we needed the help, but more importantly, we go to know each other and had a lot of fun. We were also pleased to discover that two couples came specifically to talk to our group, but most people had a more general curiosity.

Interestingly enough, one of the most interested individuals was a young tour guide who works at Fort Raleigh. He had excellent questions for us and made me wish it was the beginning of their season, not the end. I think though that the Lost Colony is now under his skin, so to speak, and he will carry it with him in many ways for the rest of his life.

Anne talking to visitors

I must say that I don’t think I’ve ever met a nicer group of young people. Most of the staff there consists of college students. All of them were friendly, polite and some were genuinely interested in our project. They smiled and were engaging and helpful. And I must add that most were dressed in stifling wool costumes, floor length, long sleeves, and they must have been miserably hot. We were sweating like faucets stuck “on” and we certainly weren’t in authentic period costumes. Bravo to them for their sunny dispositions!!!

We decided that everyone must want to be an Indian in the cast, because although Ananias Dare is clearly a “leading man”, the Indians are much more comfortable in their costumes. The Queen passed through and traditionally cuts the birthday cake for Virginia Dare, but surely no one wants to wear her wardrobe in hot sultry August in NC.

http://www.thelostcolony.org/

After the Faire ended, Anne and I visited with Doug Stover, the Cultural Resource Manager at Fort Raleigh. Said another way, Doug is the historian and a font on knowledge. Doug was very gracious and spoke with us along with curator, Jason Powell for quite some time. We’re very pleased to continue to work with Fort Raleigh and the National Park Staff.

Tomorrow we’ll be using another local resource, the Outer Banks History Center. While Fort Raleigh involves archaeology, the Lost Colony, military colonists and the later history of the property, the Outer Banks History Center is administered by the North Carolina State archives and includes information on genealogy and family histories. Anne and I are hopeful that we can find some information directly related to the early families on Hatteras Island. We have a “hot lead” to follow!

http://www.obhistorycenter.ncdcr.gov/

Tonight, we travel the road beside the swamp to the stop light at the intersection of the bouncing bridge, back to Manteo, through the tree lined streets with names such as Grenville, Amadas and Ananias Dare. We return to the Fort Raleigh, not as workers, but to attend the play. This is Anne’s 52^nd year attending the Lost Colony play. She has missed a few years, but not many. Jeri Evans told me today that her parents were at opening night in 1937. We’ll be asking these ladies to share their very special memories with us in a future blog. Tonight, we’re just going to enjoy this year’s rendition of the play, always slightly different, always wonderful.

Two years ago, we were invited to a very special event after the play. It has now become a tradition that we look forward to every year. Traditionally, Virginia Dare’s birthday is either the last production or the next to last production of the play for the season. Dignitaries are present, of course, and there are special events and awards to the actors and crew who deserve outstanding merit.

One of the most special events is the cast party after the play behind the stage. The area behind the stage is directly on the sound. Parts of the stage are built on a deck that is extended over the sound, and the sand in front of the stage is truly beach sand. By the time the play is over, darkness has fallen and thankfully, the heat has diminished a bit. Volunteers and local businesses provide food for the cast, staff and volunteers, and everyone sits together at picnic tables, visits and of course eats wonderful home-made southern food. (Anne is taking ham, green beans (with bacon fat of course), potato salad (a southern must) and Scotch Cake (some kind of the most wonderful smelling chocolate concoction). Cast members have created their own entertainment, sing, dance, so skits and entertain themselves and others as well. They have become family, indeed, throughout the summer and although we were not family members, they welcomed us warmly into their world. What a beautiful end to the perfect day, looking over the sound, watching the stars, the moon rising over the water and knowing that whether the Colonists survived and moved on or died on Roanoke Island, we’re sharing the same sand, land and stars, a few generations and 422 years removed.

Read all posts in the Trip to Roanoke series:

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/report-from-outer-banks.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-blogging-from-roanoke-island-day-2.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-birthday-virginia-dare.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-4.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-5.html

This blog is © History Chasers
Click here to view all recent Lost Colony Research Group Blog posts

The Dare Stones; Hoax or Genuine

December 19th, 2009 11:00am

Sticks and stones and the Lost Colony revisited

by Ben Steelman

David La Vere of Wilmington has received the 2009 R.D.W. Connor Award from the Historical Society of North Carolina. Named for the North Carolinian who became the first archivist of the United States, the award has been presented annually since 1953, honoring the author of the article judged to be the best in the preceding year appearing in the North Carolina Historical Review.

La Vere was honored for his paper “The 1937 Chowan River ‘Dare Stone’: A Re-Evaluation,” which appeared in the July 2009 issue of the Review.

The book reviews the history of a stone with peculiar carvings, discovered in 1937 in northeastern North Carolina, in a swamp about 60 miles from Roanoke Island. The inscription, in Elizabethan English, purports to have been by Eleanor Dare, the daughter of John White, governor of the famed “Lost Colony” of Roanoke Island, in 1591 — long after the colony had been “lost.” The inscription claims to report the deaths of Dare’s husband, Ananias Dare, and of her infant daughter, Virginia, at the hands of “savages” and claims that the surviving colonists headed inland.

In all, 47 other “Dare stones” were discovered across the Carolinas and Georgia, supposedly tracing the colonists’ path. The reports met with skepticism — reporters noted that the discovery conveniently fell on the 350th anniversary of the colony, just a short time before the premiere of Paul Green’s outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” at Manteo. Eventually, the later stones were exposed as a hoax. La Vere, however, argues that the original stone is substantially different from the later, fraudulent ones and that it could possibly be genuine.

Cont.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&q=http://books.blogs.starnewsonline.com/11034/sticks-and-stones-and-the-lost-colony-revisited/&ct=ga&cd=KI2KmBCeiV0&usg=AFQjCNGppxvWlV7siGoTWmFNOvAMmW758Q

Related articles:

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/search?q=dare+stones


© History Chasers

Click here to view all recent Searching for the Lost Colony DNA Blog posts

Happy Birthday, Virginia Dare!!!

Roberta Estes and Anne Poole

Day 3 – August 18^th – Tuesday

HAPPY BIRTHDAY VIRGINIA DARE!!!!

Little Virginia could never have imagined the impact she would in a misty and uncertain future. We don’t even know that she even lived past a few days of age, so her future might have been very short. Then again, if she lived to a ripe old age, she could have lived to be 70 or 80 years old. In fact, the Lumbee have a story that tells us that Virginia Dare is buried in Robeson County. Is it true? Well, it could be, assuming of course that she lived. We do know from historical records that there were people living in the Robeson County area as early as 1654. A surveyor entered the area to survey and got himself run off by a group of people with guns. Seems they didn’t want the land they were living on surveyed.

But the Virginia Dare we are all familiar with is the child, the baby, born on August 18^th, 1587, to her young mother, Eleanor White Dare, wife of Ananias Dare shortly after landing on Roanoke Island. A marker at Fort Raleigh today commemorates her birth, but looks for all the world like a tombstone.

The Virginia Dare Faire at Fort Raleigh is always free and fun. Today’s event included the Kitty Hawk Kite Company, face painting, a balloon artist, Pizza Hut with free samples, the cast cruising about in costume, singing, dancing, juggling swords, playing “old games” with visitors and more throughout the park. Of course, we had our table there among the festivities as well.

We were fortunate that 2 of our members, Aleda Bunch and Jeri Evans, joined Anne and I for the day. There were lots of questions to be answered as many people stopped by and we needed the help, but more importantly, we go to know each other and had a lot of fun. We were also pleased to discover that two couples came specifically to talk to our group, but most people had a more general curiosity.

Interestingly enough, one of the most interested individuals was a young tour guide who works at Fort Raleigh. He had excellent questions for us and made me wish it was the beginning of their season, not the end. I think though that the Lost Colony is now under his skin, so to speak, and he will carry it with him in many ways for the rest of his life.

Anne talking to visitors

I must say that I don’t think I’ve ever met a nicer group of young people. Most of the staff there consists of college students. All of them were friendly, polite and some were genuinely interested in our project. They smiled and were engaging and helpful. And I must add that most were dressed in stifling wool costumes, floor length, long sleeves, and they must have been miserably hot. We were sweating like faucets stuck “on” and we certainly weren’t in authentic period costumes. Bravo to them for their sunny dispositions!!!

We decided that everyone must want to be an Indian in the cast, because although Ananias Dare is clearly a “leading man”, the Indians are much more comfortable in their costumes. The Queen passed through and traditionally cuts the birthday cake for Virginia Dare, but surely no one wants to wear her wardrobe in hot sultry August in NC.

http://www.thelostcolony.org/

After the Faire ended, Anne and I visited with Doug Stover, the Cultural Resource Manager at Fort Raleigh. Said another way, Doug is the historian and a font on knowledge. Doug was very gracious and spoke with us along with curator, Jason Powell for quite some time. We’re very pleased to continue to work with Fort Raleigh and the National Park Staff.

Tomorrow we’ll be using another local resource, the Outer Banks History Center. While Fort Raleigh involves archaeology, the Lost Colony, military colonists and the later history of the property, the Outer Banks History Center is administered by the North Carolina State archives and includes information on genealogy and family histories. Anne and I are hopeful that we can find some information directly related to the early families on Hatteras Island. We have a “hot lead” to follow!

http://www.obhistorycenter.ncdcr.gov/

Tonight, we travel the road beside the swamp to the stop light at the intersection of the bouncing bridge, back to Manteo, through the tree lined streets with names such as Grenville, Amadas and Ananias Dare. We return to the Fort Raleigh, not as workers, but to attend the play. This is Anne’s 52^nd year attending the Lost Colony play. She has missed a few years, but not many. Jeri Evans told me today that her parents were at opening night in 1937. We’ll be asking these ladies to share their very special memories with us in a future blog. Tonight, we’re just going to enjoy this year’s rendition of the play, always slightly different, always wonderful.

Two years ago, we were invited to a very special event after the play. It has now become a tradition that we look forward to every year. Traditionally, Virginia Dare’s birthday is either the last production or the next to last production of the play for the season. Dignitaries are present, of course, and there are special events and awards to the actors and crew who deserve outstanding merit.

One of the most special events is the cast party after the play behind the stage. The area behind the stage is directly on the sound. Parts of the stage are built on a deck that is extended over the sound, and the sand in front of the stage is truly beach sand. By the time the play is over, darkness has fallen and thankfully, the heat has diminished a bit. Volunteers and local businesses provide food for the cast, staff and volunteers, and everyone sits together at picnic tables, visits and of course eats wonderful home-made southern food. (Anne is taking ham, green beans (with bacon fat of course), potato salad (a southern must) and Scotch Cake (some kind of the most wonderful smelling chocolate concoction). Cast members have created their own entertainment, sing, dance, so skits and entertain themselves and others as well. They have become family, indeed, throughout the summer and although we were not family members, they welcomed us warmly into their world. What a beautiful end to the perfect day, looking over the sound, watching the stars, the moon rising over the water and knowing that whether the Colonists survived and moved on or died on Roanoke Island, we’re sharing the same sand, land and stars, a few generations and 422 years removed.

Read all posts in the Trip to Roanoke series:

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/report-from-outer-banks.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-blogging-from-roanoke-island-day-2.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-birthday-virginia-dare.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-4.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-5.html

© History Chasers

Click here to view all recent Searching for the Lost Colony DNA Blog posts

Report from the Outer Banks

Baum bridge over Roanoke Sound

Day 1 Aug 16 2009 Sunday

By Roberta Estes

I had been looking forward to arriving on the Outer Banks for the Virginia Dare Faire for weeks now. My car looked more like I was moving than going on a working vacation. I felt like a modern day Beverly Hillbilly. Anne has moved into her summer home in Wanchese and I’m contributing things from my mother’s home. It’s only fitting it seems, as Anne and I are on a mission together and I’ll be staying with her from time to time as we research and search for the Colonists.

So the back of my Jeep has the seats laid flat, a table with the legs removed, several boxed with miscellaneous kitchen paraphernalia that each has a memory for me, and of course really important things like books relating to our search, several inches of paper relating to our research plan, and, oh yes, trivial necessities like clothes. Of course, I can’t go anyplace without my electronic tether, or lifeline, whatever the days perspective…..my computer and cell phone. I’d be lost without either.

Last night after arriving, I answered e-mails and sent clients information and kept up with the world outside of Wanchese. But back to the Outer Banks.

I drove from Michigan via Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia this time, as opposed to the more westerly route down 77. I have driven that before to Washington DC, but never beyond. The area through Pennsylvania and Maryland is connected to my early German families and I always think that I need to do more research on them and stop and see where they lived. But that trip will have to wait for another time.

Given that I was in the area of our nation’s capital on a weekend, I didn’t mind risking the Capital Beltway, but I’d never do it on a weekday. That’s analogous to taking your tourist type life in your hands. The 150 miles and supposed two hours I would have saved taking this route would have been likely to evaporate in a single traffic jam.

But on Sunday I whizzed around Washington and noticed that building construction continues there. They apparently aren’t experiencing the same level of recession we are suffering under in Michigan where there is no building and many half-constructed buildings have been abandoned and sold at auction. I whispered my perennial prayer for wisdom and guidance for those in power as I drove by….although my prayers perennially seem to go unanswered in regard to politicians.

I stayed in either Thornburg or Woodford. It’s a schizophrenic place. The Google map and the Holiday Inn website say Thornburg, but my GPS doesn’t know Thornburg Virginia exists, so I called the Holiday Inn and they said “oh yea, type in Woodford. Ok, so Woodford it was. And Google had the location the wrong expressway too, but details….who cares. At least my gps could find it after I typed it the second city. Maybe it’s like a maiden name and a married name for women…..

The free internet was awful, the room had once been a smoking room (do they think we can’t smell), but today the entire property is nonsmoking, and I managed to leave have of the cheesekeeper I was using to hold watermelon in my cooler. Rats. I always take a last look around the room too…..but I missed it somehow and I’m sure that the cleaning staff took one look at that and said “oh well” and into the trash it went. One more of Mother’s things I don’t have to figure out what to do with I guess….but that wasn’t what I had in mind.

Next I passed Richmond and Newport News which began to look like a coastal area with boats, ships really, and cranes and port type of paraphernalia towering over the horizon. Before arriving at Newport News, the area looked strikingly colonial, not nautical. I’m always amazed when traveling in the eastern Virginia area, even near large cities, how wooded the landscape remains. The expressways look more like parkways and not like the sprawling cement ribbons that clear everything to desolation with half a mile in all directions that we have in the Midwest.

South of Newport News, I encountered a surprise. My GPS indicated that I was going to cross an expanse of water, which would be my first real glimpse of the Atlantic on this trip. As I approached, I noticed signs for a tunnel. Hmmmm…..now tunnels are not my favorite things, but they are a fact of a driving/traveling lifestyle, and once you’re in route they are impossible to avoid, so tunnel it was. This tunnel was unusual though in that it only went half way across the channel or estuary and rose in the middle of the river (whatever you call these wide entrances into the ocean that empties fresh water into the ocean but is also tidal in nature) and became a bridge for the second two thirds or so of the crossing. How so they keep the tunnel from flooding? Amazing. However, I noticed the large “doors” on the end as I entered which made me a little nervous and could be the makings of a horror movie or a nightmare, but I chose not to think about those. They are probably closed during hurricanes.

Speaking of hurricanes, when I left Michigan, there had been none yet this year. Last night there were 3, one which arrived in Florida already and is weakening, one which is heading for the Caribbean, and one, Bill, who is going northwest of the Caribbean, may become a level 3 or 4 and is likely to strike the mainland by or on Friday. Now of course, this area is prime hurricane alley, much to the chagrin of Sir Walter Raleigh’s military colonists. Sir Francis Drake lost several ships in his visit in August of 1586 on these Outer Banks and he ended up rescuing the military colonists instead of resupplying them….but I digress.

As I approached the Virginia/North Carolina border yesterday, 64 transitioned from an expressway to a non-limited access 4 lane road. This is more than a technical transition and the introduction of stop lights. It was a complete change in flavor from a sterile environment with beehives of activity called exits where travelers stop and never stay beyond the closest meal, bathroom and gas pump to an area where travels pass through, but also where people live. It became alive with businesses, and few if any chains. I saw a few Home Depots, but then again, everyone needs those types of stores and here probably more than most with the constant battle of the elements of wind, sand and sea.

Mostly I saw flavorful and colorful hometown restaurants, fruit stands that advertised “free bathrooms” and Burma shave type signs for upcoming businesses. Somehow we subtracted about 40 years and returned to a slower, sweeter time when travel was more of an adventure and less of a race. I wanted to stop at several gift shops, a pawn shop or two (who knows what jewels await in there) and those luscious looking fruits stands with fresh fruit and local crafts decorating the outside of the barns by the roads. Yes, they are all inviting and call out as you drive by.

Further south, the fields continued and the crops looked healthy. Whoever said that the colonists would have not been able to sustain themselves on these islands? Did they visit and take a look at the agriculture? Sand dunes replace trees and marsh replaced fields eventually. In some places condos hug the very edge of the marshy expanses, making me wonder if some of those condos might just tip over and sink. And of course, facing the sea, I wondered about how to protect them from the raging hurricanes and if they could even purchase insurance, but then again, not my worry, I’m just a visitor. Many of the condos and beach houses weren’t on the beach, and frankly, couldn’t even see the beach. They could just see the other houses that also couldn’t see the beach. Talking to Anne later, she mentioned that even the “unlucky” houses were quite expensive. I have to wonder why you’d spend that kind of money to not be beachfront. I guess I’m way too logical. For me it would be beachfront or nothing at all I guess. If I couldn’t afford beachfront, there would be no point in second string. However, I suspect most of these are rentals or timeshares, so perhaps the answer is that they are investments. If that’s the case, then many of these investments are for sale now. I noticed one street of waterfront units where every single unit had a for sale sign on the side. I guess even if Washington isn’t experiencing our recession, the Outer Banks is, if the amount of real estate for sale is any indication.

Crossing from Manteo to Wanchese is the bouncing bridge. I’ve never been on a bridge that literally makes your car bounce up and down like a large beach ball. Now my Jeep has heavy duty suspension (it’s trailer rated), and that makes it ride a little tighter and not so sloshy as the land yachts, but still, this was a huge bounce. I noticed the pickup truck in front of me was bouncing too and so was whatever was in the pickup bed. The contents of the bed were bouncing at a different pace so the truck “caught” the boxes. I guess the message here is to tie everything down if you have a truck and are crossing the bouncing bridge.

Now I think this is new-fangled speed control device and a pretty good one too because the speed limit was about all the faster you could drive and not bounce yourself to death and into another lane. Each section of the bridge every few feet declined where it connected to the next section and then raised midway a bit, causing the wave action of bouncing up and down.

Arriving at Anne’s house was a real treat. She lived on Old Wharf Road with is the old road around the island. The turn into her road is landmarked by a beautiful old white church. Turning into her place leads you back away from the little old road and her house is back under a very large poplar tree. The tree shades the whole house and you park under the front part. The ground everyplace here is sandy, even if grass manages to grow on top of the sand. A tame female turkey named Turkey Lurkey greeted me. She had to check me out to be sure I was Ok and that I was a female. Turkey Lurkey doesn’t like males for some reason. I passed inspection and she settled down and let Anne pet her after eating some bread scraps. Turkey Lurkey is smart, she can fly over the fence in and out of the pen. Her friends or rather, penmates, the chickens simply stand and squawk at that uppity turkey who has the audacity to stand outside the fence and look back at them like they are, well, birdbrains.

After getting settled in and looking longingly at Anne’s screened in front porch, making mental plans for later, we ventured out for dinner. Most of the businesses and restaurants are closed here on Sunday, another, return to times of the past for me, but we went to a local favorite, Sam & Omie’s, which has been here since 1937. http://www.samandomies.net/ Sam & Omie’s has legendary She Crab Soup. Now what exactly is a She Crab and why do they make soup out of it? Well, duh, it’s a female crab and the soup includes crab roe (that’s eggs). It’s made in a cream based chicken stock broth with a touch of sherry. It’s a specialty of the area, but for Anne, it’s just a special treat for visiting Sam & Omie’s. Anne says the She Crab soup just isn’t right anyplace else.

http://whatscookingamerica.net/History/Chowder/SheCrabSoup.htm

It was yummy, yummy and so was the crab cake I had for dinner. Fresh and you can actually taste the crab. I didn’t even notice any filling but there had to be because it did hold together in a patty. I love the coast for the fresh seafood.

Our next adventure was to the grocery store where a pack of vultures had descended. Our first clue was no carts. No carts? On a Sunday evening? Well, all those rental properties rent from Sunday to Saturday and the new crop of vacationers all arrive at the grocery….you guessed it….on Sunday evening. Thankfully, the grocery was relatively prepared for the descending vacationers and we got in and out relatively quickly with our supplies for lunches this upcoming week. On Tuesday, Anne and I are going to have a table at the Virginia Dare Faire on Tuesday and there isn’t any food service right there. Anne and I take coolers and food and ice cold water. It’s August in the Outer Banks and HOT and HUMID here. And of course we don’t want to leave the table because after all, we’re there to talk to visitors will hopefully come to visit and learn about the colonists.

In preparation for the Faire, we have prepared a “Most Wanted” list of surnames associated with the colonists. We prepared this list based on the colonists’ roster, of course, plus historical records in NC that indicate these surnames were found there early and are associated with Native American tribes in the area.

Hopefully, fate with be with us and some folks will visit the Faire, visit our table and will be interested enough to work with us on their genealogy and maybe, just maybe, will be the right person in their line to take a genealogy DNA test.

Here is our “most wanted” list. Do you have any of these surnames in your family from eastern early North Carolina?



Allen

Bennett

Berry

Barbour

Beasley

Blount

Brooks

Brown

Buck

Carawan

Carroon

Carrow

Chapman

Chavis

Chavous

Cheven

Coleman

Cooper

Dare

Elks

Gibbs

Gurganos

Harris

Hewett

Johnson

Jones

Locklear

Lowrey

Lucas

Martin

Pierce

Scott

Smith

Squires

Payne

If you can’t visit us in Manteo tomorrow at Fort Raleigh at the Waterside Theater, then visit our Lost Colony website.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~molcgdrg/


We hope to see you soon!!!

Read all posts in the Trip to Roanoke series:

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/report-from-outer-banks.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/live-blogging-from-roanoke-island-day-2.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/happy-birthday-virginia-dare.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-4.html

http://the-lost-colony.blogspot.com/2009/08/roanoke-island-trip-day-5.html

© History Chasers

Click here to view all recent Searching for the Lost Colony DNA Blog posts

Lots of Lost Colony Events Coming Up!!!

The Searching for the Lost Colony DNA Project will be well represented August 18th with several board members hosting a booth at the Virginia Dare Birthday festivities. If you are in the area, be sure and drop by to say "Hi".

August 18

Virginia Dare's Birthday Celebration

Celebrate Virginia Dare's 422 birthday as The Elizabethan Gardens, The Lost Colony and Fort Raleigh National Historic Site join together to present a full day of activities you and your family are sure to enjoy; no birthday is complete without cake and ice cream. There will be special activities all day at The Gardens. Free admission.

Other Important Activities:

May 29 - August 20
72nd Anniversary Season of The Lost Colony
Waterside Theatre. Monday - Saturday at 8 p.m. (no performance on July 4, 11, 18, or August 8, 15). Compelling unsolved mystery of America’s beginnings. Featuring music, dance, drama, riveting action, and special effects with lavish costumes and sets. Children 11 and under are free on Monday and Friday and half price on Saturday with a paying adult. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

May 29 - August 20
Backstage Tours of The Lost Colony
Waterside Theatre. 6 p.m. During this 45-minute walking tour you'll see how The Lost Colony’s stage is transformed right before your eyes and learn other "tricks of the trade" while visiting the theatre, costume shop, and props areas. Tours are held nightly. Tickets are $7 per person. Reservations required. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

June - August

Friday – What REALLY Happened to the Lost Colony? 2:00 p.m. Once you know the basic true facts, it is no mystery at all! Scott Dawson will mesmerize you with his vast knowledge and stacato style. He is the author of a book on the subject and lectures widely. And why this topic at a life-saving station? Because in their day they were the social, cultural and educational centers of their villages. This is precisely the kind of topic a visitor would hear there. chicamacomico.net

August
Evening racing at Nor'banks Sailing in Duck
Monday Evenings in June,July and August. Evening racing takes place at Nor'Banks Sailing in Duck. Racing begins 2 hours before Sunset and all small sailboats are welcome. Come and charter a boat or bring your own and participate in some very casual "beer can" races on the water behind Nor'Banks Sailing in Duck. For more information call Jon Britt at 252-202-6880.

August
Whalehead Club Wednesday Wine Festivals
July, August and September - 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Come and celebrate the interesting world of wines! All wine connoisseurs and novices are welcome! Enjoy a Wednesday afternoon of wine tasting and entertainment under the tents on the north lawn of Currituck Heritage Park. With your $20 admission adults can sample wines from North Carolina and the world; keep your souvenir glass; take a complimentary tour of the Whalehead Club; listen to popular local musical artists perform on the stage; sample food from local vendors. Children and leashed pets are welcome. Admission to taste the wines is $20 - parking free. For more information call 252-453-9040.

August 3 - 26
Lisa Cooper and Glenn Dodenhoff - Painters
Art Gallery, Roanoke Island Festival Park. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com

August 4, 11, 18, 25
Munchkin' Madness
Laser Tag for the little guys & gals, 5-10 years old. A great time for the younger laser tag player to play against other similarly aged kids. (252) 480-8512 or obxgearworks.com

August 5, 12, 19
Bloody Mary and the Virgin Queen
Film Theatre, Roanoke Island Festival Park. 3 p.m. A humorous musical farce based on the relationship between Queen Elizabeth I and her half-sister, Mary Tudor. The two loathed one another and yet are buried in the same tomb in London’s Westminster Abbey. The production takes place in the tomb, in the present day. Tickets required. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com

August 5 - 31
Ray Matthews - Photography
Dare County Arts Council Gallery. First Friday Opening Reception August 7, 6-9 pm. (252) 473-5558 or darearts.org

August 6, 13, 20
Shepherd of the Ocean
Film Theatre, Roanoke Island Festival Park. 3 p.m. A whimsical comedy about Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I. Takes place moments before Sir Walter Raleigh’s execution for treason. Tickets required. (252) 475-1500 or roanokeisland.com

August 8, 15

Oklahoma!
Waterside Theatre. Oh what a beautiful evenin’ when The Lost Colony presents Rodgers & Hammerstein's landmark all-American frontier musical Oklahoma! at star-canopied Waterside Theatre. Advance tickets: $15 for Preferred Seating, $10 for House Seats. Performance day tickets: $20 for Preferred Seating, $15 for House Seats. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

August 17
Meet the Artist
Waterside Theatre’s Gift Shop Kiosk. 7 p.m. - 8:20 p.m. Greet local North Carolina folk artists and craftsman as they showcase their talents before The Lost Colony’s Monday performance. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

August 18
Virginia Dare Faire
Fort Raleigh National Historic Site. Celebrate Virginia Dare’s 422nd birthday. Attend a full day of free activities for the family that include make and take crafts; games; entertainment, activities, free cake and ice cream. Reserve your seats early for the evening performance of The Lost Colony that cameos infant actors as baby Virginia. Ticket charges apply. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

August 18
Virginia Dare Anniversary Performance
Waterside Theatre. 8 p.m. See a special performance of The Lost Colony that features infant actors in the role of baby Virginia. This traditional anniversary performance is held on the birthday of Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America. (252) 473-2127 or thelostcolony.org

http://www.outerbanks.org/events/calendar_of_events/august.asp

© History Chasers

Click here to view all recent Searching for the Lost Colony DNA Blog posts