The Jamestown Exposition of 1907 site was a forerunner to our Naval Operations Base--
many buildings are still in use today.

Click images to enlarge thumbnails.

Jamestown Expo 1907
(54.4kb)

Pine Beach Hotel near Expo (45kb)

Opening Day Parade
(70.2kb)

Country Club, Norfolk
(54.8kb)

Teddy Roosevelt's Party
(64kb)

Powhatan Oak, Expo
(63kb)

Lovers' Lane, Expo
(66.7kb)

Government Bldg, Expo
(32kb)

States' Exhibits
(58kb)

Negro Building, Expo (42kb)

States' Buildings
(21.4kb)

Model School, Expo
(58kb)

Beauvoir, Expo
(55.8kb)

Life Saving Station, Expo
(45.2kb)

Regiments Parade, 1907
(33.2kb)

Food Products Building
(23.7kb)

Georgia Day Crowds
(41.5kb)

Georgia Day, Expo
(29.7kb)

Kuroki Reviews Marines
(41.3kb)

Artillery at Expo
(32.7kb)

Liberal Arts
(23.7kb)

Copper, Silver & Wood
(33.4kb)

State Bldgs, Waterfront
(27kb)

Shady Drive, Expo
(23.9kb)

Admin Bldg, Expo
(23.2kb)

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Why was the Jamestown Exposition held in Norfolk?

"In March 1905, the United States Congress passed an Act providing for an appropriate celebration of the three hundredth anniversary of the first English-speaking settlement in America, which was made at Jamestown, Virginia, May 13, 1607. When the nature of the exposition had been decided upon, President Roosevelt issued a proclamation inviting all the nations of the earth to participate.

The site chosen for the exposition grounds is exactly adapted to the significance of the occasion. It is a point on Hampton Roads which commands a fine view of the surrounding waters, and is about 30 miles down the James River from the city of Jamestown. In every direction, and within easy access from the grounds, are points of the greatest historical interest..."  --The Keystone View Company

Prominent visitors included: President Theodore Roosevelt (opened the expo and presided over the naval review); Samuel Gompers, Mark Twain and Booker T. Washington. The exposition wasn't considered a financial success, losing a few million dollars (big money for those times). However, the exposition buildings were acquired by the Navy when they purchased the land, and some are still in use today --so, in hindsight, it was an extraordinary investment!

See also Early NOB, NAS & NOB, Guy's NOB Vintage, On Flagg, & Families' Special

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