The Polish American Jamestown Celebration Committee - Taste of Polonia 2007

Jamestown, Virginia, America's first settlement, Polish Americans,the establishment and survival of America's first colony would not have been possible without the arrival of Polish tradesmen. Their arrival on October 1, 1608 set the stage for permanent colonies in America. The first five Polish settlers, who traveled to Jamestown aboard the English ship, the Mary and Margaret on October 1, 1608, with numerous other Poles coming during the following years, distinguished themselves as America's first tradesmen. Today, they make us proud of our Polish heritage. These Polish tradesmen, who arrived at the invitation of Captain John Smith and the London Company, made the survival of the first colony possible. Their work ethic created the foundation of modern America.The Englishmen, arriving in 1607, lacked fresh drinking water. This created a major health problem.

The Poles, within days of their arrival, dug the first well which provided this new colony its first source of safe drinking water. Within weeks of their arrival, the Polish craftsmen produced glass, tar, pitch, soap ashes and building materials. The talents of these Polish craftsmen reflect the pioneering efforts that created the beginning of America's manufacturing industry.As history has recorded, the first contingency of settlers arriving in Jamestown was soldiers, men who lacked logical resourcefulness and survival skills. It was the Poles who began to teach the colonists the trade skills needed for survival. Thus, it can be said that these Poles were America's first educators. Additionally, it was these Poles who were the first to strike, the first to unionize and the first to fight for civil rights in America. When America's first parliamentary body, the House of Burgesses, was established in 1619, the Virginian Poles were excluded from the voting process. They stopped the production of all goods. This act of defiance has some historical researchers naming this event as "the beginning of Polish Solidarity movement." And, yes, they won the right to vote.

The Polish American Jamestown Celebration Committee, which has the full support of the Polish National Alliance, the Polish American Congress and other Poloinian organizations, invites you to join the Committee's efforts in commemorating the 400th Anniversary of Jamestown during the upcoming Polish Constitution Day Parade in Chicago on May 5, 2007. The Committee will display a commemorative float containing, but not limited to, replicas of a glass house, wood mill, and a blacksmith shop. A professional blacksmith will be on hand for a live reenactment of the work done by Jamestown Poles. It is the Committee's goal to send this float to the Jamestown, Virginia celebration. For this important contribution to the history of Jamestown, we wish for support throughout our Chicago area Polonia and beyond.

http://www.polishpioneersinjamestown.org/