Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail
Creating the John Smith Water Trail
Creating the John Smith Trail
What does it take to create a new National Historic Trail?
Inspiration? Sweat? Collaboration? Visionary public officials? Dedicated, skilled public workers? Committed communities? Engaged businessmen?
In the case of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, creation required all these qualities, and continues to require commitment. But it's an engaging pursuit that has created opportunities for increased recreation and heritage tourism, conservation of the Chesapeake's treasured landscapes and ecosystems and education about the bay's history and the region's American Indians. Ultimately, the trail will create a lasting legacy for the nation.
At the moment, the National Park Service is developing a Comprehensive Management Plan for the trail. Public Workshops will be held late this summer.
Queen Elizabeth met with the Virginia Chiefs during the commemoration of Jamestown's 400th anniversary in May, 2007. Pictured with the Queen is Governor Tim Kaine. The chiefs who met Queen Elizabeth were: Bill Miles, then chief of the Pamunkey, Anne Richardson of the Rappahannock, Ken Adams of the Upper Mattaponi, Carl Custalow of the Mattaponi, Steve Adkins of the Chickahominy, Kenneth Branham of the Monacan, Barry Bass of the Nansemond and Gene Adkins of the Eastern Chickahominy.
