Gloucester in Gloucester County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Werowocomoco

Photographed by J. J. Prats, November 5, 2016

1. Werowocomoco Marker

Inscription. The site of Werowocomoco is located nearby at Purtan Bay. This Algonquian Indian settlement was the center of power of the Powhatan paramount chiefdom when the English established James Fort in 1607. Captain John Smith was brought to Werowocomoco as a captive in December 1607 where he met the Powhatan leader Wahunsonacock and his daughter Pocahontas. Archaeologists working closely with present-day members of Virginia Indian tribes investigated the site from 2002 to 2010. They documented that Werowocomoco was an extensive settlement, including trenches defining an area of restricted access or sacred space, from the 13th century through the early 17th century.

Erected 2016 by Department of Historic Resources. Marker was cast in 2013. (Marker Number NA-11.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Colonial Era • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1607.

Location. 37° 24.908′ N, 76° 31.794′ W. Marker is in Gloucester, Virginia, in Gloucester

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County. It is on Main Street at the Courthouse Circle (Virginia Route 14), on the right when traveling west. Marker cannot be seen when heading east because it is on the other side of the circle. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Gloucester VA 23061, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Middle Peninsula

and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in the Tidewater,

in the Chesapeake Bay Region,

and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gloucester Courthouse (here, next to this marker); Boutetort Masonic Lodge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Birdsall Building (within shouting distance

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 26, 2021

2. Werowocomoco Marker

of this marker); To the Confederate Dead of Gloucester (within shouting distance of this marker); Court House (within shouting distance of this marker); A Sacred Place (within shouting distance of this marker); John Smith Explores the Chesapeake (within shouting distance of this marker); Gloucester in the Civil War (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Gloucester.

Also see . . .
1. Wikipedia Entry. “Since 2003, a team of archaeologists and related researchers has been working at this site. They and the landowners initiated consultation with the Virginia Council on Indians to plan and execute excavations on the site. Representatives of local Virginia Indian tribes, some of whom are descendants of the tributary tribes of Powhatan, continue to advise the research. Excavations at the site since 2003 have revealed evidence of a large town, including two 200-foot long, curved, earthwork ditches built 1,000 feet from the river bank about 1400, two hundred years before the English first visited the area. In 2006 the Werowocomoco Archeological Site was listed on the National

Werowocomoco Site Diorama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 3, 2026

3. Werowocomoco Site Diorama

Displayed in the Virginia Museum of History and Culture, this exhibit is a conjectural build based on archaeological evidence. The trench-lined restricted inner area is apparent here.

Register of Historic Places. In the future, scholars hope to find more evidence about the political nature of the Powhatan polity.” (Submitted on November 9, 2016.)

2. Virginia Landmarks Register - Werowocomoco Archaeological Site Entry. Includes register nomination narrative and site description. (Submitted on October 28, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.)

Werowocomoco Great Yehakin Diorama image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Evan Dwyer, January 3, 2026

4. Werowocomoco Great Yehakin Diorama

Also displayed at the Virginia Museum of History and Culture is this conjectural build of "the King's house" - Powhatan's residence at Werowocomoco.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 28, 2026. It was originally submitted on November 9, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,333 times since then and 97 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 9, 2016, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 2. submitted on June 27, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on October 28, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.