News & Resources
NEWS
March 1, 2007
The first all water National Historic Trail is created
Suite101
Retrace Capt. John Smith's voyages of Chesapeake Bay. Celebrate the 400th anniversary of Jamestown by paddling the new Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Read the article>>
January 15, 2007
Md. Town Banks on Historic Trail
The Baltimore Sun
John Smith slept here. Or somewhere near this Nanticoke River town, where the wind twists through vast marshes and gulls wail overhead. Never mind that the great Chesapeake Bay explorer's visit was short, or that it occurred 400 years ago. Vienna is banking on the lore of Smith's voyage to bring tourists into this sleepy Eastern Shore hamlet a mile off U.S. 50. Read the article>>
December 20, 2006
Bush Signs Bill Creating Historic Bay Water Trail
Annapolis Capitol
Merry Christmas, Chesapeake Bay. The president just gave you a unique present: a water trail. Read the article>>
More stories >>
12/20 - Baltimore Sun
12/20 - Annapolis Capitol
12/19 - WMDT 47
12/19 - WJLA NEWS 7
12/19 - WBAL TV 11
12/19 - WDBJ Channel 7
12/19 - Southern Maryland Online
December 9, 2006
Senate Gives Final Approval to "Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail"
Southern Maryland News
The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail legislation, which now goes to President Bush for his signature, would be the first National "Watertrail" in the country. Read the article >>
December 7, 2006
Proposed Trail of Capt. Smith's Bay Path as He Saw It
The Washington Post
What does a "water trail" look like? For the most part, it seems, a whole lot of nothing. But that's the thinking behind plans for a national historical trail that would follow the early-1600s explorations of Capt. John Smith around the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The trail, as it's planned, will be detailed on maps and marked with a few signs and buoys, but little else will be done to signal the route. Read the article >>
December 6, 2006
Legislation Passes in the US House for National Historic Trail that Includes Delaware
WGMD Radio Read the article >>
December 6, 2006
Capt. John Smith Water Trail Advances Through Congress
The Annapolis Capitol
The proposed water trail to mark the journeys of Chesapeake Bay explorer Capt. John Smith cleared a major hurdle yesterday. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill that would create the "Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail." The Senate version of the bill still is under consideration. With the lame-duck senators likely trying to wrap up their work as soon as possible, supporters of the trail hope to get a positive vote this week. Read the article >>
December 6, 2006
House Passes Bill to Honor Captain Smith's Travels
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
Congress moved a step closer yesterday to designating a National Historic Trail marking Captain John Smith's travels in the Chesapeake Bay. On a voice vote, the House easily passed a bill sponsored by Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-1st, recognizing the trail to mark a series of water routes traveled by Smith almost 400 years ago. Read the article >>
December 6, 2006
Hoyer Pleased with Designation of Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Statement released by Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) Read the statement >>
December 5, 2006
Drake Hails House Passage of Captain John Smith Watertrail Legislation
Press Release
U.S. Representative Thelma Drake (R-VA.) today voted to approve by voice vote H.R. 5466, the Captain Johns Smith National Historic Watertrail Designation Acet, a project that she spearheaded as a member of the House Resources Committee and represents a boon to Southeast Virginia’s ecotourism in advance of the 400th Anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. H.R. 5466 was introduced by Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.) in May of 2006. Read the press release >>
December 5, 2006
Davis' Legislation to Establish the Captain John Smith Water Trail on the Chesapeake Passes House
Press Release
“With the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown quickly approaching, establishing the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Trail sheds light on the importance his early voyages held in respect to molding early American history,” Davis said. “It’s fitting to distinguish Captain Smith’s voyages with this legislation as a part of celebrating Jamestown’s anniversary this year.” Read the press release >>
November 29, 2006
Water Trail's Last Gasp?
The Baltimore Sun
The pressure's really on now. Queen Elizabeth II has agreed to serve
as one of the star attractions of Jamestown's 400th anniversary celebration
next May, but Congress is still foot-dragging on the preparations. Legislation
granting a national historic designation to John Smith's 2,300-mile route
of exploration from the fledgling settlement throughout the Chesapeake
Bay region still needs a final nod of approval from lame-duck lawmakers.
If they don't get around to it before they adjourn next month, the legislative
process will have to begin anew next year - almost certainly too late
even for the first of the trail markers to be in place in time for the
festivities. Read the article >>
November 22, 2006
This John Smith Was Extraordinary
Lynchburg News & Advance
A strong case can be made for Smith as the first American hero. Read
the article >>
November 12, 2006
Group Seeks Legislation for Trail
The Washington Post
A coalition of Chesapeake Bay advocacy groups hopes that before disbanding,
the lame-duck 109th Congress will act on a key bit of legislation to
create the nation's first National Historic Water Trail. Read the article
>>
November 7, 2006
Typical Soldier of Fortune
The Winchester Star
Smith lectures begin local Jamestown commemoration. Read
the article >> (Registration is required)
September 29, 2006
A Few Good Measures
The Baltimore Sun
If the 109th Congress slinks off this weekend for its pre-election recess without
accomplishing anything more than what now appears likely, many Americans may
consider that cause for rejoicing. Read the article >>
September 21, 2006
Exelon Donates Roberts Island to the State of Maryland
Press Release -- Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources
Governor Robert L. Ehrlich accepted the
gift of Roberts Island in Harford County from Exelon Corporation. At
the event overlooking the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, Conservation
Fund Chairman Emeritus Patrick F. Noonan joined the Governor in announcing
new efforts to support the Captain John Smith Four-Hundred Project,
an educational initiative retracing Smith’s historic Chesapeake
Bay voyages. Read the release >>
September 20, 2006
Rescue the Water Trail
The Baltimore Sun
Barely eight months remain before the 400th anniversary of the founding
of Jamestown will be marked with a re-enactment of John Smith's exploratory voyages
through the Chesapeake Bay region. Yet planning and promotion for the event have
been held up because Congress hasn't enacted legislation designating Captain
Smith's 2,300-mile route a National Historic Trail.
With a record of achievement that's otherwise looking mighty thin, the cantankerous
109th Congress ought to grab this low-hanging fruit before it's too late. Read
the article >>
September 18, 2006
The Untold Story of John Smith
The Virginian-Pilot
Across the commonwealth, history is tethered to specific spots of land,
whether Appomattox, or Mount Vernon, or Monticello. But we know better. Folks
in Hampton Roads know that Virginia's earliest memories are tied instead to the
water, arcing back to Capt. John Smith, remembered incompletely
today as the leader of the first permanent English settlement in America
and friend to Pocahontas. Read the article >>
September 17, 2006
On the Water Trail
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The foremost state in the nation's Founding, Virginia has an opportunity
to blaze yet another trail by spearheading the effort to create the nation's
first historic water trail, in the Chesapeake Bay. Conservationists and history
enthusiasts launched an effort that has received the imprimatur of the National
Park Service. But if Congress fails to act promptly, the effort will not reach
fruition before the 2007 festivities at Jamestown, when the world's attention
will be focused on the region. Read the article >>
September 10, 2006
James River Trail lets travelers explore like Capt. John Smith
The Daily Press
Virginia recently released travel maps for Capt. John Smith's Trail (James
River), a boat and auto tour along the James River following Smith's footsteps
that is the first segment of what authorities hope will become a national
water trail. The Virginia trail was developed in time for the 400th anniversary
commemoration of the founding of Jamestown, America's first permanent English
settlement,
in 1607. The route includes Jamestown, plantations, parks and museums,
and places where Indians lived thousands of years before the English
arrived.
Read the article >>
August 21, 2006
County hopes for recognition
The Annapolis Capital
(Anne Arundel) county wants in on a national water trail commemorating
the 17th century explorations of Capt. John Smith. County officials
touted the county's waterfront parks and historic sites as stopping
points for
a National Historic Water Trail being planned
by the National Park Service. By including the county in the trail's
planning, County Executive Janet S. Owens hopes to boost tourism. Read
the article >>
August 7, 2006
On the trail of an explorer
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The historian and the naturalist are on the trail of 17th-century adventurer
Captain John Smith as they ease a Boston whaler across Farmers Hall Creek in
Essex County. The historian is local resident Edward W. Haile, a poet widely
known for his research into Smith and other Jamestown settlers whose writings
exposed Virginia's wonders to an eager world. The naturalist is John Page
Williams. With canoe and motorboat, he has covered practically every inch of
the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries
during 32 years of working for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
Williams wants Haile to lead him to the place Smith called Wecuppom, the site of an Indian attack during Smith's historic exploration of the bay in a 30-foot shallop. Read the article >>
August 7, 2006
Water-trail dedication being sought
The Richmond Times-Dispatch
The National Park Service and conservation groups hope to dedicate a 2,300-mile
water trail to commemorate one of the epic explorations of the Colonial American
era. Read the article >>
July 31, 2006
Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Maryland Municipal League Bulletin
The year 2007 will mark the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown
and Captain John Smith's voyages of exploration in the Chesapeake Bay,
which included travels in and around areas that today are the sites of
Maryland municipalities. To commemorate Smith's voyages, interested members
of the Chesapeake Bay community support the establishment of the Captain
John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (NHT). Read
the story>>
June 2, 2006
1:00 p.m. on Metro Connection
WAMU 88.5 FM Radio
On the anniversary of the day that Captain John Smith launched his
first expedition of the Chesapeake Bay, WAMU's Sidsel Overgaard heads
out on
the water to follow in his footsteps...or wake. Supporters are seeking
approval for the John Smith National Historic Water Trail, a new tourist
destination designed especially for the boating crowd.
Audio not currently available
May 11, 2006
Delaware Voices Support for National Historic Trail
Press Release - Delaware Department of Natural Resources & Environmental
Control
Governor Ruth Ann Minner today led a celebration of Captain John Smith’s
courageous exploration of the Chesapeake Bay nearly 400 years ago which
brought him to the shores of Delaware in a small open boat or shallop,
and proclaimed Delaware’s support for creation of the Captain Smith
Water Trail as a National Historic Trail the first entirely water-based
trail proposed for inclusion in the National Trail System.
Read
the press release >>
Delaware
State Senate Resolution >>
Governor's
Proclamation >>
May 8, 2006
Landmark Agreement Will Safeguard Wildlife Habitat, Historic Islands
Within the Susquehanna and Chesapeake Bay Watersheds
Press Release - The Conservation Fund
Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, a subsidiary of Constellation Energy
and PPL Corporation, announced today a landmark agreement with The Conservation
Fund to donate nearly 1,000 acres in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster and
York counties along the Susquehanna River. The donation culminates years
of conservation efforts between the parties and protects five miles of
riparian woods, bluffs and islands in and along the river for purposes
of conservation and public recreation.
The newly protected land, in an area of the river known as the Conejohela Flats, provides feeding and resting areas for migratory birds and habitat for threatened and endangered species including bald eagle, black tern and osprey. With a fabled history that includes thousands of years of human occupation, the river corridor and islands along the lower Susquehanna remain remarkably wild. In 1608, Captain John Smith, while exploring the upper Chesapeake, had the first recorded European encounter with the area’s native people, known as the Susquehannock. In early August, 1608, members of the Sasquesahanock Indian tribe located along this stretch of the river traveled downstream to meet with John Smith at what is now Port Deposit, Maryland.
“This generous donation enhances the proposed Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and complements the existing water trails in the Susquehanna River watershed,” said The Conservation Fund’s chairman emeritus, Pat Noonan. “This is another of the many connections that the lower Susquehanna area has with the Chesapeake Bay and its heritage. View the map (Acrobat PDF 57KB)
May 4, 2006
Allen Urges Dept. of Interior Secretary Nominee: Remember John Smith
Press Release - Office of U.S. Senator George Allen
U.S. Senator George Allen urged that if confirmed, Department of the
Interior Secretary nominee Governor Dirk Kempthorne of Idaho should help
America remember next year’s 400th Anniversary of the Founding
of Jamestown by supporting among other initiatives, designating the route
of Captain John Smith’s exploration of the Chesapeake Bay and its
tributaries as a National Historical Water Trail. Senator Allen introduced
the legislation with his colleagues, Senators John W. Warner, Paul Sarbanes,
and Barbara Mikulski. Read
the press release >>
April 16, 2006
Other Voices: An adventure back in time
The Daily Press - Hampton Roads
Thanks to U.S. Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes of Maryland, the Senate has before
it a bipartisan bill that would create a national historic trail to mark
the voyage of Capt. John Smith, who in 1608 with a crew of a dozen men,
rowed and sailed an open boat on an exploration of the Chesapeake Bay.
I hope Congress passes the bill. Read
the article >>
April 13, 2006
Trail on Chesapeake's waters will trace explorer's journeys
The Washington Times
Congress is being urged to authorize a 3,000-mile historic Chesapeake watert
rail that would allow boaters to learn of
the early discoveries of what became the United States. Read
the article >>
April 12, 2006
Federal trail would honor bay explorer
The Baltimore Sun
U.S. senators from Maryland, Virginia and Delaware have introduced legislation
to create the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail,
Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes announced yesterday.
Read the article >>
March 1, 2006
League Backs Sarbanes Historic Trail Bill
Press Release - IWLA
The Izaak Walton League enthusiastically
supports the bill introduced by United States Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD)
to establish the first
all-water trail in the federal historic trail program. Sarbanes' bill
would initiate a study of the proposed trail to certify it meets the
requirements to be included in the federal historic trail program. Read
the press release>>
June 2005
Backers explore options for John Smith historic water trail
The Bay Journal
Plans for a water trail retracing Capt. John Smith’s explorations
through the Chesapeake four centuries ago appear to be gaining momentum,
with the National Park Service and others expressing support for the
concept during a Senate hearing in April. Read
the article >>