This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Founder’s District. All opinions are 100% mine.
Living on the East Coast for the last 25 years has been a fascinating journey for me. I grew up on the West Coast and learned about missions and the Gold Rush and the Oregon Trail in school. Early American history seemed so “foreign” to me that it might as well have taken place in another country.
It has been interesting to raise my own kids in a totally different part of the country, with new-to-me things to discover and explore. I have come to love this area – the DMV (DC-Maryland-Virginia) as locals like to call it – and the rich history that this land is home to.
Just this past year, I was thrilled to discover that I have ancestors who lived in Jamestown in the early days of American history.
Years ago, when my mom was visiting us in Maryland, we drove down to Virginia to visit Historic Jamestowne and the surrounding sites. Little did I know during that first visit to Jamestown Settlement that there was so much more to explore right in the same area. In fact, there are eight amazing destinations in The Founder’s District, each with something unique to learn and enjoy.
- Jamestown Settlement
- Colonial Parkway/Colonial National Historical Park
- Historic Jamestowne
- James County Marina
- Chippokes State Park
- Jamestown- Scotland Ferry
- Hog Island Wildlife Management Area
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Today, though, I want to feature Chippokes State Park, which is at the top of my list for places I want to visit with my family.
Chippokes State Park is one of the oldest continuously operated plantations in the nation. Established in 1619 by English Captain William Powell, a Lieutenant Governor of Jamestown, this 1,400-acre farm located opposite Jamestown Island, has been the site of an active agricultural operation for nearly four centuries. Powell named the plantation after Choapoke, an Algonquian Indian Chief who was friendly to the English settlers in Jamestown.
Since moving to our farm in Maryland a year and a half ago, I’ve become even more fascinated with the type of farming that built our country. I also love being outdoors and exploring the beauties that this area has to offer.
At Chippokes State Park, families can take advantage of modern recreational activities (like an Olympic-sized swimming pool, hiking, biking and horseback trails, and gift shops) as well as enjoy a glimpse into life in the colonial days. The park has a campground and four overnight cabins that allow visitors to stay on the historic grounds.
So pack a picnic for a day trip or grab your tent and sleeping bags for a family weekend getaway and see all that Chippokes State Park and The Founders District has to offer.
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