Jamestown Exposition

The Jamestown Exposition was one of the many world's fairs and expositions that were popular in the United States early part of the 20th century. It was held from April 26 to December 1, 1907, at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads, near Norfolk, Virginia, and commemorated the 300th anniversary of the founding of the Jamestown Settlement.

Accomplishments - financial loss, beginnings of a great naval base

When the Exposition closed on, December 1, 1907, it had been a financial failure, losing several million dollars. Attendance had been 3 million, a lot of people, but only a fraction of the large numbers promised by the promoters. However, it served an American purpose and one for Norfolk and Hampton Roads.

Related Topics:
December 1 - 1907 - Norfolk - Hampton Roads

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Nearly every Congressman and Senator of prominence had attended the exposition, and the location at Sewell's point was prominently showcased. Sewell's Point, of naval importance in the early Civil War, had been virtually forgotten since shortly after its bombardment and return to Union hands in 1862.

Related Topics:
Sewell's Point - Civil War - Union - 1862

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Now the admirals in Norfolk urged the creation of a Naval Base at the exposition site. But nearly 10 years would elapse before the idea, given impetus by World War I, would become a reality. The Naval Base was aided by the improvements remaining from the Exposition, the strategic location at Sewell's Point on Hampton Roads, and the available largely vacant land there. Another favorable consideration was that the coal piers and storage yards of the Virginian Railway (VGN), built by William N. Page and Henry H. Rogers, and completed in 1909, was immediately adjacent to the Exposition site. The well-engineered VGN was a valuable link directly to the bituminous coal of southern West Virginia which the Navy strongly preferred for its steam-powered ships.

Related Topics:
Admiral - Norfolk - Sewell's Point - Hampton Roads - Virginian Railway - William N. Page - Henry H. Rogers - 1909 - Bituminous coal - West Virginia - Navy

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On June 28, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson set aside $2.8 million for land purchase and the erection of storehouses and piers for what was to become the Navy Base. Of the 474 acres (1.9 km²) originally acquired, 367 had been the old Jamestown Exposition grounds. The military property was later expanded considerably. The former Virginian Railway coal piers, land, and an adjacent coal storage facility owned by Norfolk & Western Railway (which merged with the VGN in 1959) were added in the 1960s and 1970s. In fact, the base now includes over 4,000 acres (16 km²), and is the largest Naval facility in the world.

Related Topics:
June 28 - 1917 - Woodrow Wilson - Navy Base - Virginian Railway - Norfolk & Western

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Some of the exposition buildings which were taken over by the Navy remain in use as of 2004, primarily as admirals' quarters for the Navy Base. Thirteen of the state houses can still be seen on Dillingham Boulevard at the Naval Station Norfolk, on what has been called "Admiral's Row." The Pennsylvania House served as the Hampton Roads Naval Museum for many years until it was relocated in 1999 to the new Nauticus Center on the harbor in Norfolk.

Related Topics:
Navy - 2004 - Admiral - Navy Base - Norfolk

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