Preservation Virginia has been around since 1889, so the files we’ve squirreled away over the decades have gradually become historic themselves! One of my favorite items from the archive is this itinerary for Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip’s visit to Jamestown in October 1957. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the State Department’s do’s and don’ts of socializing with the monarch. This page includes all the proper ways to address “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh.” One the best snippets appears a bit later in the document. It cautions host organizations “it is much better to dispense with anthems than to have them poorly played.”
The Queen returned to Jamestown in 2007 as part of the quadricentennial celebrations. Our CEO, Elizabeth S. Kostelny, undoubtedly minded protocol while escorting Her Majesty around the site.
Our archives are a great resource for anyone doing research on a vast array on topics, ranging from architecture in Virginia to the lives of women who were active in late 19th and early 20th century Richmond. Our archive is especially rich in information about Jamestown, including the various celebrations that have marked its notable anniversaries. If you want to learn more, contact curator of collections Lea Lane at llane@preservationvirginia.org.
