The National Park Service has purchased the historic Werowocomoco site in Gloucester County. The village on the banks of the York River was occupied by Powhatan and his daughter Pocahontas in 1607 when English settlers arrived in Virginia.
The federal government purchased the 260-acre property for $7.1 million. Its development as a national park is still a ways off, according to County Administrator Brent Fedors. It remains closed to the public and several phases of a planning process could take the park service nearly two years to complete before a design or concept is developed.
"They've made no bones about it. This is a very long and drawn-out process. Don't expect 'boom' a visitors center and 250,000 people a year," Fedors said. "There's a lot of potential for the county in terms of both notoriety and tourism. For one thing, there's nothing like this in the world. It's not just a national park but we're talking about historical and cultural significance."
In 2014 the Werowocomoco site off Ginny Hill Road was added to the National Park System's Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
"This happens to be the first land acquisition as a part of the trail," Fedors said.
Chuck Hunt, park service superintendent, called it the "most iconic" site on the trail.
"We know it's disappointing that it is closed right now," said Carol Steele, Gloucester's parks, recreation, and tourism director. "But time flies and before we know it people will be able to go to Werowocomoco. We anticipate that it is going to be a major draw for bringing people to Gloucester County. Not only from across the country but internationally as well."
Local and state officials have been seeking funding for several years for a proposed Middle Peninsula State Park in Gloucester located on the York River and Aberdeen Creek near the historic Rosewell ruins. The park encompasses 431 acres and was purchased in 2005 for $3.9 million.
The tourism benefits of the national park, Fedors said, could expand into Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown and Jamestown across the river.
The Werowocomoco site is believed to be where Capt. John Smith described how his life was saved by Pocahontas, Powhatan's daughter, after his capture. English settlers described Werowocomoco in the early 1600s, but its location was lost over time until 2003 when archaeologists announced its rediscovery.
According to land records in the Gloucester clerk's office, the Conservation Fund, a nonprofit out of Arlington, bought the property from owners Bob and Lynn Ripley on June 9 for $7.1 million. The fund sold it six days later to the federal government for the same price. According to the deed, the Ripleys, who purchased the property in 1996, retain life rights to live on 5.6 acres of the property.
County officials met last Wednesday with staff from the park service to outline a plan of action. Hunt said on Monday that they will work closely with a number of partners, including the Department of Historic Resources and Virginia's Indian tribes, over the next year or two. The public will be able to eventually provide feedback on any plan or concept that is developed.
Before any surface disturbance happens the site must be cleared from an archaeological perspective, Hunt said. "This is about commemorating the heritage and history of Virginia's Indians," he said. "We need to be respectful and careful in that. They are a critical partner in this."
Just this past Saturday, a historical marker in honor of Werowocomoco was placed by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources off Main Street in Gloucester. The marker now stands at the old Tucker Store site adjacent to the colonial court circle.
Hubbard can be reached by phone at 757-298-5834.