As part of the Jamestown Foundation's America's 400th anniversary celebration, the Deltaville Maritime Museum, Holly Point Nature Park, and the Deltaville Community Association joined forces to begin a ten-year legacy project. Phase one of the project was to design and then build an historically accurate reproduction of the barge John Smith used to explore our area. Building of the boat began March 11, 2006 and was completed in September. See the calendar of events planned for Explorer.

Phase Two of the project is, through the research of documents, drawings, and literature, to gather information about the crewmembers aboard the boat. The team would concentrate on how they dressed, what tools they used, what they ate, and how they conducted their lives day to day. The museum will put together an exhibit, based on their findings and write a script for an historical re-enactment of the discovery of Stingray Point.

During Phase Three the museum will determine the tribes of Natives in our area, their numbers, their approximate locations, and their style of life. This team will design and build a diorama of our area in pre Colonial Days. Particular emphasis would be placed on how the Indians built and used their log canoes. Using Cyprus from the Dragon Run the construction team would build a full size log canoe using traditional techniques and tools of the era. The Plan would be to always have a canoe a-building so visitors could participate in the process.

Design estimates for the Explorer anticipated a materials cost of $20,000 for the 30' boat. The labor, estimated at 2,500 man-hours at $25/hr., will be $62,500. Total cost of the boat will be around $85,000.

The museum will seek one or more corporate sponsors to raise $40,000. A minimum donation of $5,000. will be required to be a "sponsor" of the boat. These contributors will be listed on a permanent plaque mounted in the boat and on another plaque inside the museum. Each donor at this level will receive a ½ model of the barge, a framed print, and a certificate of recognition. All sponsors will be invited to attend the christening ceremony and be seated in the VIP section.

Another $37,500 will be raised by selling oars. Individuals or businesses can buy one of 15 oars at $2,500. each. These are the oars that will actually be used to row Explorer. Each oar will bear the donor's name and each donor will also receive a presentation oar to commemorate their contribution. They will also receive a framed print of Explorer.

• Any contribution of $1,000 will entitle the donor to a certificate of recognition, a framed print, and a free ride on the Explorer.
• Contributions of $500 will entitle the donor to a framed certificate of recognition.
• Any contribution of $100 will entitle the donor to a certificate of recognition.
• All contributions, no matter how small, will be recognized in the Explorer's building log which will be a permanent part of the museum's exhibit on this boat.

The Maritime Museum is also soliciting for donations in kind from businesses and individuals. The Explorer will need a custom trailer to carry her to certain events and an appropriate tow vehicle. The boat will need sails and a sailing rig. The boatshop crew needs volunteers with wood working experience to help with the construction. A painting and clean-up crew would speed the construction processes along. Volunteers with marketing skills are needed to raise money to promote and campaign Explorer.

Graphic artists will be needed to design and construct displays for the museum and for special events. Individuals with video and audio recording skills are needed to document the boatbuilding and sailing of Explorer.

For information about participating contact Raynell Smith at 804-776-9811 or by Email.

• December 8, 2006 - Row in Jackson Creek Christmas Cruise.
• April 21-22, 2007 - King & Queen Museum.
• April 25-27 - Cape Henry - First landing celebration.
• April 28 - Virginia Beach boardwalk celebration.
• May 4-5 - Newport News Park.
• May 11-18 - Represent Middlesex county at Jamestown's 400th anniversary celebration.
• May 19-22 - Henricus celebration.
• May 13- 31 - Sail up the James with the Godspeed - celebration at Richmond.
• June/July 2007 - Smithsonian Folk Life Festival, Washington, DC.
• July 2007 - Deltaville for Heritage Days celebration.
• August 5 - Gloucester Library
• August 24-26 - Shallop rendezvous, Fishing Bay
• September 2007 - Surrey festival
• October 13 - Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival
• November 1-3 - 50th Urbanna Oyster Festival.
• December 8-15 - Jackson Creek Christmas Cruise, Urbanna & Irvington Christmas Parades.

We expect to add continually to this list as communities contact us and finalize their plans.