Jamestown in James City County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

The Hardwood Harvest

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

1. The Hardwood Harvest Marker

Inscription. By the 1600s, hardwood lumber was scarce in England. Early exports of the colony were potash, used in the manufacture of glass, and soap ash, which yields liquid soap.

The ashes of hardwood logs were mixed with water, strained, and heated to a syrup-like consistency. Cooled and hardened in pots, the mixture could be shipped to England. In time the settlers cleared all of the hardwood forests from Jamestown Island.

Today’s forest is regrowth, mostly of pine.

Erected by Colonial National Historic Park.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Colonial Era.

Location. 37° 12.107′ N, 76° 45.7′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, Virginia, in James City County. Marker is on Loop Drive, on the left when traveling east. Marker is on Jamestown Island, along the Loop Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Jamestown VA 23081, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Harvesting Ice (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The “Island House” (approx. 0.4 miles away); Early Medical Discoveries (approx. 0.4 miles away); Homes to Last (approx. 0.6 miles away); Jamestown Island (approx. 0.6 miles away); Excellent Good Timber

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(approx. 0.7 miles away); Bowl, Pot, and Pipe (approx. 0.7 miles away); Virginia’s Vintage (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jamestown.

More about this marker. The top of the marker features a picture of colonists burning hardwood to produce potash and soap ash.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Take a virtual tour of markers located along the Loop Drive on Jamestown Island.

Also see . . .
1. Island Loop Drive. Colonial National Historic Park from National Park Service website. (Submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

2. Historic Jamestowne. Historic Jamestowne is the site of the first permanent English settlement in America. The site is jointly administered by APVA Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service. (Submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.)

Marker on Jamestown Island image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, August 14, 2008

2. Marker on Jamestown Island

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 792 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2009, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.