Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-13
ASKS LEGISLATURE
TO PRESERVE LANDMARK
Association for Preservation OF Nir'
ginia Antiquities Wants
Bridge TO Jamestown.
cAUsEwAY NOW OUT OF REPAIR
Mrs. j. Taylor Ellyson. President of
a. =. v. A, Lays Matter Before
Senate Finance Committee, trS-
ing IN Immediate Report.

Urging an immediate favorable repor
on the bill asking an appropriation .
$500 for jamestown Island improve
mcnt, Mrs. J. Taylor EllySon prcSidcn
& OF the Association for the Preservation
of Virginia Antiquities and others yes
ucrday appeared before the Senate
Finance Committee and stressed The
need for quick action.
Mrs. Ellyson pointed out that the
heavy SHOWS ana storms of this winter
had cxactcd a heavy toll from the land
marks on the island. The carctaker's
building is practically ruined. The
bridge connecting tho island with the
mainland, and providing tho only means
Ivy which automobile tourists could
reach tho island. has become unsafe
The csuScway through the swamp
needs reconstruction. and money is
needed for other repairs.
Jamestown Island was the scene of
the first permanent white settlement
on the North American continent. The
- first Legislative body ever 10 assemble
in America mot there in 1919. The few
remaining relics OF those first settlers
and first legislators have been pre-
served mainly through sales OF
souvenirs TO tourists and contributions
gotten by the association. The decay
i Of the bridge has resulted in stopping
the sale OF souvenirs. and the associa :
.tion is without funds 10 repair the
TERCENTENARY TO BE
OBSERVED NEXT MAY
Next year the tcrccntena7y OF the
first legislative assembly held on the
island will be held. The association de-
sircs that all OF the needed repairs he
completed before ;hat time. Mre ELY
son has partly canvasscd the House and
Senate in. the interest OF the bill asking
the appropriation. She has succeeded
in qledg!nS many delegates md sena-
tors 10 lis support. and is confident that
her ASSOCIATION Will get what ii asks.
Tho bill reads:
Whereas, the Association for the
preservation Of Virginia Antiquities is
the owner OF twenty-five acres on
Jamestown Island. and
Whereas, the first legislative body.
which ever assembled in America was
that which met - Jamestown in 1879;
and
Whereas, j; is proposed to celebrate
the 3o0th anniversary Of this great
event; and
Whereas tho General Assembly Q,
Virginia, in 1916, appointed commit
tee 10 arrange plan for the said cele-
bration; and
Whereas, il is impossible 10 reach tho
island from the mainland without re-
building the causeway over pitch and
tar swamps, and the bridge which con-
meets the mainland with the island; and
Whereas. the said association, from
causes mainly due TO tho present war.
has no resources with which TO make
said improvements: now. therefore. hc
IT enacted by the General Assembly OF
Nirgnia:
!. That the sum OF $500 for rebuild
ing said cauSeway. and tho sum of 81
0oD, or so much thereof as may be
necessary for rebuilding said bridge
connecting the mainland with James.
town Island. be, and tho same are here.
by. appropriated out Of any moneys ir
the treasury not otherwise appropriated
:. That. upon presentation Of order.
signed by tho president of said as
eoc.ation, the auditor Of public account.
shall issue warrants upon the trca st!rci
or the state, for the payment Of gaiL
sums to the treasurer OF tho Associa.
ton for the Preservation of Virginia
Antiquities.