Earliest images of Virginia on display

Associated Press

Published: July 14, 2008

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) — The earliest existing images of Virginia are being displayed in the state for the first time.

John White traveled the region in the 1580s, documenting its plants, animals and the Algonquian-speaking Indians who lived here with pencil and watercolors.

The British Museum in London has owned White’s watercolors since the mid-19th century. Kim Sloan, a curator at the museum, says all 70 or so of his works will go on display Tuesday at Jamestown Settlement.

Jamestown Settlement senior curator Tom Davidson says White’s watercolors are core to understanding the period of discovery and exploration in this part of the world. He says this may be the only opportunity for Virginia residents to see all White’s works in one location.