1957: Queen Elizabeth II visits Jamestown and Williamsburg

Note: This story was published on the front page of The Virginian-Pilot on Thursday, Oct. 17, 1957.

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Queen Elizabeth II — applauded by tens of thousands — today said the birth and growth of the United States as an independent nation stands as an adventure in freedom in which Britain takes special pride.

It was the keynote which launched a formal six-day visit by the shy sovereign and her handsome blond husband, Prince Philip.

Some 10,000 Virginians were on hand to greet the royal couple when they touched down on United States soil at Patrick Henry Airport near here. One police estimate was that 25,000 were on hand at Jamestown Festival Park when a “Queen’s tour” was made there; and other thousands lined the streets for ceremonies here at nightfall.

The Queen, smiling and the center of attention, obviously was pleased to begin her visit to this nation at the birth-site of the colonists who later rebelled and denied the British crown one of its brightest stars.

Two stories

She said the 350th celebration of the Jamestown Colony — the first permanent settlement — illustrates two stories of British pioneering.

Settlements were being made in many parts of the world, the Queen said, but Jamestown grew to become the United States; the other settlements grew and became nations united in the British Commonwealth.

“They are stories in which all of us, in the United States, in Britain and throughout the Commonwealth, take a special pride,” Elizabeth said.

At a dinner tonight, given by Gov. Thomas B. Stanley and Mrs. Stanley, the Queen added:

“We are particularly happy to begin our visit to the United States here in Virginia.

Familiar names

“It is very pleasant gateway for anyone coming from Britain, and the very names of your cities — Richmond, Winchester, Norfolk, Portsmouth — are pleasantly familiar.”

Elizabeth said it had been a fascinating experience for her and Prince Philip to follow in the footsteps of “your forefathers, and my countrymen” from Jamestown to Williamsburg.

“Here, at a great period in your history, their descendants proclaimed their faith in certain great concepts of freedom, justice, law and self-government,” she said. “Those concepts have a profound influence on the political development, not only of the United States, but of all freedom-loving countries.”

The welcome for the queen was as never before seen in the State. A red carpet was literally rolled out, with 21-gun salute, then prayers and almost eight hours of appearances by the visitors.

The carefully planned day began on the minute when a silver Royal Canadian Air Force transport landed the royal party at Patrick Henry Airport.

It began at 1:30 p.m. when Elizabeth appeared at the door of the transport. One the clicking of movie cameras marred the stillness as thousands — some had been waiting more than four hours — gazed in silence.

Then suddenly, applause and a cheer rolled across the airfield. Prince Philip, smiling and waving, followed Elizabeth down the ramp.

They were fresh from a triumphal four-day visit in Canada, and Wiley T. Buchanan, chief of protocol for the U.S. State Department, began introductions leading off with Gov. Stanley, who was host for Virginia.

Receiving line

In the receiving line also were Adm. Jerauld Wright, Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic, from Norfolk, and Mrs. Wright, also Henry R. Henshaw, British consul at Norfolk, and Mrs. Henshaw.

Gov. Stanley led the queen to a reviewing stand, and Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force units snapped to salute as “God Save the Queen” was sounded amid a 21-gun salute. It was followed immediately by “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

The entire area was ringed by steel helmeted paratroopers. Near the reviewing stand, 10 paratroopers held high the flags of the nations which make up the British Commonwealth. They were in alphabetical order.

Gov. Stanley welcomed Elizabeth and Prince Philip after the Queen had reviewed the honor guard, and the official party moved quickly for the 25-mile trip to Jamestown Island with President Eisenhower’s bubble-top limousine leading the way with Elizabeth and the Governor.

Her costume

Elizabeth wore a full length scarab blue coat of satin ottoman with a slightly flared skirt and central buttoning and small black velvet collar and cuffs. Her hat was of blue and beige pheasant feathers and bordered with black velvet.

On Jamestown Island, the Queen went into the old church of 1693 for prayer, and then began a tour of nearby Festival Park where she saw full size replicas of the tiny vessels which landed the colonists 350 years ago. Eighteen jet-bombers flew over as she and the Prince looked at the replicas.

In the old world pavilion there was laid out the original version of the Magna Carta which was there on loan from the Queen.

She visited the restored anti-Indian James Forte and chatted briefly with two costumed youths in a stockade. “Why are they being punished” Philip asked with a grin. And attendant replied: “For gossiping.” The Queen and Prince laughed aloud.

The day also included exchanges of gifts with the Royal couple. At the College of William and Mary, where they were met by James M. Robertson of Norfolk, rector, and Alvin Duke Chandler, president of the college, the Queen presented a copy of the Statues of the Order of the Garter to the college. The inscriptions in the book date back to 1696.

Proud of the College

Presentation was made at the college’s Wren Building after the royal party and special guests had tea with Chandler as host. Some 6,000 persons were on the lawn in front of Wren House to observe the ceremonies.

Elizabeth said, in presenting the book:

“I can say quite sincerely that I am very proud of the fact that this college educated so many founders of this nation.

“Rarely has any country been able to produce a group of such enlightened and skilled statesmen as those who gathered around George Washington.”

Robertson then handed the Queen a gift from the college. It was a green leather portfolio embossed in gold with the college seal, containing six original line drawings of campus buildings. The drawings were by Elmo Jones, a Richmond artist.

At the special dinner for the visitors tonight, Colonial Williamsburg was presented a 17th Century tortoise shell casket by a 31-year-old Queen. Constructed of oak veneer, it has an inlaid top of tortoise shell and mother-of-pearl, and shows an Indian over the word “America.”

Elizabeth said she wanted to make gift of the casket because “I would like to leave with you something from my own collection made at about the time when Williamsburg flourished as a Colonial capital.”

Colonial Williamsburg presented the Queen with replicas of the early chalice and paten which now rest in Bruton Parish Church.

A Wonderful Day

As the eight hours drew to an end, the Queen told the dinner guests:

“We have had a wonderful day here. I would like to say how much we have appreciated the true Southern hospitality with which you have received us.”

Elizabeth and Philip will spend the night here in Williamsburg Inn — occupying the same suite in which her mother, Queen Mother Elizabeth, stayed during a 1954 visit.

Tomorrow a new full schedule begins in Washington for the royal visitors. They will fly to Washington in President Eisenhower’s plane, Columbine III, from Patrick Henry Airport at 9:15 a.m. Full military honors will be gin for the departure.