Powhatan's Chimney facts for kids
Powhatan's Chimney is a historic site in Wicomico, Virginia, located in Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. For a long time, people thought this chimney was a clue to finding Werowocomoco. This was the main village of Chief Powhatan, a powerful Native American leader in what is now Virginia.
Chief Powhatan was the leader of many Native American tribes. His capital, Werowocomoco, was a very important place. It was where he lived and made big decisions for his people, the Powhatan Confederacy.
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The Mystery of Werowocomoco
According to Captain John Smith, an English explorer, Werowocomoco was on the north side of the York River. He said it was about 25 miles (40 km) from where the river split near West Point, Virginia. This was around 1607, when the Jamestown Settlement was first built.
Why Chief Powhatan Moved
In 1609, Chief Powhatan decided to move his capital. He chose a new spot further inland. This was for better safety and protection. Over time, the exact location of Werowocomoco became lost. This happened as more English settlers arrived and Native American villages changed. By the mid-17th century, many of the Powhatan people had been forced to move from their lands.
The Legend of Powhatan's Chimney
A popular story says that Powhatan's Chimney was part of a house. This house was supposedly built by Captain John Smith for Chief Powhatan at Werowocomoco.
Saving History
In 1888, the chimney fell down. This event helped start a movement to protect old historical places. It led to the creation of Preservation Virginia. This group works to save and protect important historical sites. In the 1930s, the organization rebuilt the chimney. They believed it marked the exact spot of Chief Powhatan's home.
Finding the Real Werowocomoco
In 1977, an archaeologist found some old items on the ground. These items were found further west on the York River, near Purtan Bay. They showed that a settlement had been there during the late Woodland Period and early European contact.
Digging Up the Past
A new archaeological study in 2002 found many more items. These discoveries suggested a large settlement, possibly 50 acres (20 hectares) big. People lived there from the 13th to the 17th century. Today, archaeologists and anthropologists believe this is the true site of Werowocomoco.
Since 2003, a team of researchers has been digging at the site. They have found signs of a big settlement. They even found earthworks, which are large mounds or walls made of earth. These were built around the early 15th century. This was more than 200 years before the English settlers arrived.
Working Together
Members of local Virginia Indian tribes are part of the research team. These tribes are descendants of the Powhatan Confederacy. Their involvement helps make sure the history is told correctly. In 2006, the Werowocomoco Archeological Site was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). This is a list of places important to American history. Researchers hope to learn more about how Chief Powhatan's government worked through more digging.
A Wider View of Werowocomoco
Both the newly found site on Purtan Bay and Powhatan's Chimney are in the same general area. Native Americans might have thought of Werowocomoco as a larger region, not just one specific spot. So, both locations could be part of the historical Werowocomoco lands.
