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“Bite-Size Bits of Local, National, and Global History”
Near Williamsburg in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
 

A Place of Work

 
 
A Place of Work Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
1. A Place of Work Marker
Inscription. This small structure played a part in the industrial activity along the Pitch and Tar Swamp, but the exact use of its three furnaces is unknown.

Chemical analysis of the soil ruled out high-temperature industry, such as a forge. Perhaps the best clue came from Captain John Smith, who noted two “brew-houses” in Jamestown in 1629. Artifacts from the site dated from about 1620 to 1650, and included pieces of copper kettle, pipes, and a cistern. Perhaps this was the source of some Jamestown ale.

The sunken, tiled floor was typical of workshops. The large fireplace and lack of interior partitions also indicated industrial use.

The furnaces, or “fireboxes,” sit on brick or tile flooring. Stoke holes in the side allowed tending of the fires. Two of the excavated boxes still had ash in them.
 
Erected by Colonial National Historic Park.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era. A significant historical year for this entry is 1629.
 
Location. 37° 12.56′ N, 76° 46.599′ W. Marker is near Williamsburg, Virginia, in James City County. Marker can be reached from Colonial Parkway, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in the "New Towne" section of the Historic Jamestown unit of Colonial National
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Historic Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williamsburg VA 23185, United States of America. Touch for directions.
 
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Iron and Industry (here, next to this marker); Pitch and Tar Swamp (a few steps from this marker); Tradesmen on Governor Harvey’s Lot 1630s (within shouting distance of this marker); Governor Harvey’s House 1630s (within shouting distance of this marker); Swann’s Tavern 1670s (within shouting distance of this marker); Foundations at Jamestown (within shouting distance of this marker); Jamestown Tercentenary Monument (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Efforts to Build a Town 1660-1699 (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williamsburg.
 
More about this marker. The right side of the marker contains a picture depicting a worker at this Jamestown site. The left of the marker includes a diagram of the floor plan of this structure, showing the fireboxes.
 
Also see . . .
1. Historic Jamestowne. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 

2. Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement
Marker at Historic Jamestowne image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
2. Marker at Historic Jamestowne
in America. The site is jointly administered by APVA Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. (Submitted on March 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.) 
 
A Place of Work Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008
3. A Place of Work Marker
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 984 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on March 20, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.

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Mar. 19, 2024