thumb|The Jamestown Tercentenary Monument, erected on Jamestown Island in 1907, which stands tall The 100th anniversary of the Surrender at Yorktown in 1781 had generated a new interest in the historical significance of the colonial sites of the Peninsula. Williamsburg, a sleepy but populated town of shops and homes, was still celebrating Civil War events. However, as the new century dawned, thoughts turned to the upcoming 300th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (now known as Preservation Virginia) started the movement in 1900 by calling for a celebration honoring the establishment of the first permanent English colony in the New World at Jamestown to be held on the 300th anniversary in 1907.
thumb|the jamestown tercentenary monument erected on jamestown island in 1907 which stands tall the 100th anniversary of the surrender at yorktown in 1781 had generated a new interest in the historical significance of the colonial sites of the peninsula williamsburg a sleepy but populated town of shops and homes was still celebrating civil war events however as the new century dawned thoughts turned to the upcoming 300th anniversary of the founding of jamestown the association for the preservation of virginia antiquities (now known as preservation virginia) started the movement in 1900 by calling for a celebration honoring the establishment of the first permanent english colony in the new world at jamestown to be held on the 300th anniversary in 1907