Join us at Jamestown Settlement on Saturday, May 24, 2025, to commemorate over 400 years since the introduction of the European honeybee (Apis mellifera) to America. This special World Bee Day event offers a unique opportunity to explore the vital role of honeybees in early colonial life and their enduring legacy.
🐝 A Transatlantic Journey: Bees Arrive in the New World
In December 1621, the Virginia Company dispatched beehives to the Jamestown colony aboard English ships. By 1622, European honeybees had established themselves in Virginia, earning the nickname “white man’s flies” from Indigenous peoples due to their association with European settlers.
These bees were more than just pollinators; they were integral to the colonists’ survival and economy. Honey served as a primary sweetener, beeswax was essential for making candles and sealing documents, and both were valuable trade commodities.
📜 The Significance of Honeybees in the 16th and 17th Centuries
During the 16th and 17th centuries, honey and beeswax were indispensable in Europe and the colonies. Honey was used not only as a sweetener but also for its medicinal properties, treating ailments ranging from coughs to skin conditions. Beeswax was crucial for candle-making, especially for religious and domestic use, and played a role in art and literature.
Beekeeping practices of the time involved using straw skeps and log hives. Notably, Charles Butler’s 1609 publication, The Feminine Monarchie, revolutionized beekeeping by identifying the queen bee as female and emphasizing the organized structure of bee colonies.
🏰 Experience Living History at Jamestown Settlement
Immerse yourself in the 17th-century world through Jamestown Settlement’s interactive exhibits:
- Paspahegh Town: Explore a re-created Powhatan Indian village and learn about the Indigenous people’s relationship with nature, including pollinators.
- Recreated 1607 Ships: Step aboard full-scale replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery, the ships that brought the first colonists—and honeybees—to Virginia.
- James Fort: Discover the daily life of early settlers within a re-created fort, highlighting their reliance on honeybees for food, medicine, and trade.
🧭 Enhance Your Visit with a Private Guided Tour
For a more in-depth and personalized experience, consider booking a private guided tour with Best Williamsburg Tours. Their knowledgeable guides provide detailed narratives and context, enriching your visit to Jamestown Settlement and beyond.
🌼 Plan Your Visit
Jamestown Settlement is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission tickets can be purchased online or at the museum. Residents of James City County, York County, and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.
Celebrate the enduring legacy of honeybees and their pivotal role in America’s history this World Bee Day at Jamestown Settlement.
