Fun field trip!

On Wednesday Mark was off from school, so we all drove south to Henricus State Historical Park. Because we have been studying Native Americans and early colonial life, it sounded like a great place to visit. Boy was that an understatement! They have a full size recreated Powhatan village, and as we had the entire place to ourselves, the girls got to work on a dugout canoe, scrape a deer hide, and pound corn to their hearts content. We also went inside a longhouse, and the guide was fantastic-we learned so much!





Henricus is the sight of the Citie of Henricus, named after James I son, Henry. It was on higher ground than the swampy Jamestown, and the surrounding plantations grew tobacco until the Indians attacked in 16?? and the city was abandoned. At the park, they have a replica of the fort, the walls, a soldier's herb garden, and barracks buildings. Gryphon cleaned out the straker cannon, and Rowan got to load it.

The English soldier was a fantastic guide, too- we saw armor, learned about pikes and punishment, and English soldiers lives at that time.

Though Mark thought the rapier was cool, living in 15th century America as a soldier sounded pretty bad to him. He'll take the 21st century, I think.

All in all, a wonderful day and a great field trip! It so neat to live here in Virginia, where there is so much to go and do. We are looking forward to the rest of our studies of American History!