Commems Collection Classic: 1907 Jamestown Exposition - Part II

I recently presented the 1907 Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition and its souvenir commemorative medal that was struck by the US Mint at its Exposition exhibit. (To read this earlier post, check out 1907 Jamestown Exposition.) Here, I present a follow-up that discusses - in more detail - the International Military and Naval Celebration that I previously referenced.

1907 Jamestown Ter-Centennial Exposition Official Souvenir Medal - Silver


The Jamestown Exposition Company distributed a small (5.5" x 7.0"), but interesting promotional booklet for the Exposition as a tool to draw visitors and potential exhibitors. It included two maps that illustrated where Jamestown was located in the US as a whole and within the Virginia region; also illustrated were railroad routes to support travel to the Exposition.

1907 Jamestown Exposition Promotional Booklet - Front Cover


Previously, I stated that "The Exposition was held simultaneously with the International Military and Naval Celebration event organized by the United States." This is a wholly accurate statement, but doesn't fully establish the importance of the naval/military event. In reality, the Military and Naval Celebration event was the Jamestown "headliner" and the Exposition was part of the supporting cast in 1907.

If you read through the first paragraph of Theodore Roosevelt's Proclamation (below), you will find that the "international naval, marine and military celebration" is referenced directly while the Exposition merited just an indirect "suitable and permanent commemoration" mention.

Congress' Act for the Jamestown anniversary specifically authorized the President to invite "foreign nations to participate by the sending of their naval vessels and such representation of their military organizations as may be proper." Note, Roosevelt's invitation was to be for naval/military representation not exhibits at the Exposition.

President Theodore Roosevelt's Proclamation for the Celebration of the 300th Anniversary of Jamestown



Roosevelt's military celebration invitation was accepted by 13 nations, including Argentina, Austria-Hungary, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden; some also exhibited unofficially/privately at the Exposition. The international navies made for a significant "show of strength."

Bird's Eye View of Exposition and Military Celebration Grounds - Preliminary Illustration



Take notice of the US Government Pier with Great Arch that extends into the river and encloses a navigable basin (for smaller craft). The image in the Exposition booklet is somewhat fanciful, however, as the two tall towers on the pier's outward corners were not built. (I do like, however, the depiction of a balloon and two dirigibles in the skies above the grounds/basin and the large number of warships anchored off the Exposition grounds - including ships of Roosevelt's "Great White Fleet" that was soon to leave on its World Tour)

The Great Arch as it Actually Appeared During Exposition

(Image Credit: Hampron Roads Naval Museum/National Archives and Records Administration. Public Domain.)

The booklet also included an illustration of the remains of tower of the Jamestown Memorial Church - the only surviving structure of the Jamestown settlement. (The tower is also featured on the 2007 Gold Half Eagle that commemorates the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown.)

Remains of Jamestown Memorial Church


2007 Jamestown 400th Anniversary Gold Half Eagle



For more of my posts about commemorative coins and medals, see: Commems Collection.