News Release

What Really Happened at Jamestown?

Get an insight into the true story of one of the first American colonies with two top-level curators from the British Royal Armouries. These internationally-recognized specialists will be at the Frazier International History Museum to explore the inseparable relationship between England and the early history of today’s United States.

Jamestown, founded in 1607, was England’s first settlement in the Americas. It was a daring venture led by fortune-seekers, ill-prepared "gentlemen," and a small labor force of artisans. They had no idea what to expect or how to survive. The arms and armaments with which they were equipped by the Royal Armouries at the time were a key component. Were they sent out with second-class weapons? Did this contribute to the massive death toll and the initial failure of the entire colony?

Utilizing the findings of recent archeological discoveries, Graeme Rimer, Academic Director of the Royal Armouries, will provide an in-depth discussion of the firearms and edged weapons used by the early English settlers.

Thom Richardson,the Royal Armouries Keeper of Armour and Oriental Arms and Armour, will lead a discussion on the theory that the outdated armour supplied by the Tower of London led to the downfall of the early colonies such as Jamestown.

The evening begins at 6:30 pm and ends at 9:00 pm, including a book signing by Graeme Rimer of his book Wheelock Firearms of the Royal Armouries. Seats are extremely limited for this unique engagement; please call Laura Wheaton at 753-1032 to reserve your space.

About Frazier International History Museum
In collaboration with the Royal Armouries (Britain’s oldest national museum), The Frazier Museum covers 1,000 years of history.  The priceless collection is housed in a 100,000 square foot, state-of-the-art museum in downtown Louisville’s historic Doerhoefer building.  The Frazier brings history to life every day through live interpretation by costumed interpreters, multimedia presentations, educational programming and hands-on learning.  The Frazier Museum is the only museum to have a partnership with the Royal Armouries, making it the only museum of its kind in the United States and the world.  For more information about the Frazier Museum, please call (502) 412-2289, or log on to www.fraziermuseum.org.

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