The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-27
First Tangible Suggestion Came
from DIR. S. c. Mitchell, OF
Richmond College.

In order that the public may have an
of the origin and progress of the
movement which laid the foundation
for the great jamestown Exposition,
care has ben taken to compile all the
facts and to place them into an ac-
curate and concise article. 1t is true,
! though not now generally recalled.
that DIR. S. G.. Mitchell, professor OF
| history at Richmond College, and one
| of the most distinguished educators
In the State. was primarily responsible
for bringing the matter tanglbly to the
attention OF the Legislature.
1t may be that later some one else
1 would have suggested 1t, but Colonel
/ George Wayne Anderson. OF this city,
4 who introduced in the House of Dele
T gates the original resolutions out of
which grew the movement now so
happily consummated gives DR.,
& Mitchell credit for the first public sug-
i gestion on the subject.
7 DIR. Mitchell, however, DECLARES that
Il though he did not know it at the
j time he wrote communications to the
Il Richmond papers suggesting that AN
/ exposition be held here. Mrs. j. l.. NJ.
4 Curry had prior to that time proposed
4 that the A. p. v. A. hold a celcbra-
( tion in honor of the occasion.
DR.. Mitchell therefore gives Mrs.
Y Curry all the credit. 1t was upon Dr..
Mttchells communication that Colonel
Anderson acted, however. for the
I patron of the original resolutions de-
\ clares that this Was the first and only
Il suggestion he had heard or seen prior
I tor his action. The communication of
4 DR.. Mitchell, which appeared in the
I Richmond TimesD Dispatch of May so,
4 1900. reads as follows:
.'The year 1907 will mark the
3 three hundredth anniversary of the
Il founding of Jamestown-the first per-
Il manent English colony in America. 1t
h will be an event of significance and
a ought to be fifty observed
-.In this day of national expansion
( would it not be well 10 fix the atten-
i ton of the American people upon the
I. beginnings OF our civilization, and
I State building on this continent
IF this anniversary is to be sig
1 nalized it is emphaucally appropriate
|. that the observance take place in
Richmond, the capital of Virginia, the
{ Mother OF States,
j "Could not such an event be hes,
Z marked by an exposition in which
would be gathered the memorials OF
u our past, the evidence of our progress
Il in agricultural, manufactures and art
and full illustration of the products
4 and conditions of our new possessions
'If the Virginia press, and If tht
sfs Chamber of Commerce and the Asso
citation for the Preservation OF Nir
einia Antiquities, see fit to take holc
d OF such an enterprise for the yea
1907, il is believed not only that tn,
II State and national governments woplt
III cooperate, but also that many foreign
Il countries would be represented.
UT "For the date which is intcpied thu
4 to be COMMUNICATED is of universe
III historic interest to the world and es
81 pecially TO all English speaking PEG
SE pie,
.SEall the energy. and public spsri
III OF Virginia take the initiative in htl
3sis marking the three tundredth anniYel
III Eary of the landing of our fathers o
I the banks of tho james,
This communication so impresse
5S Colonel Anderson that when the Legi
I lature met he drew and ofterf
the resolutions appended and the
adoption laid the groundwork upt
(which the General Assembly from tin
II 10 time constructed plans for consur
II mating one of the greatest exposition
s ever held in this company,
9f DIR. Mitchell and Colonel Anders'
NJ arc both men of scholarly attainmen
NJ and noble purposes, and the col
OF the former and the res
Nj lutions of the latter. are couched
MI eloquent language, aud breathe
epir.s OF patriotic devotion to tbs