Queen and Commonwealth: The 1957 Royal Visit to Virginia
On October 16, 1957, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited Virginia during the commonwealth’s 350th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown. Then, as now, the Queen’s visit prompted intense interest from the state’s people and the media. To mark the 2007 royal visit, the Library of Virginia presents photographs, audio, newspaper accounts, and state records from the 1957 events.
The royal visit was a whirlwind event that began at 1:30 p.m. at Patrick Henry Airport and included an extended tour of Jamestown Island and the new Jamestown Festival Park. A public event at the College of William and Mary was followed by a reception at the restored Governor’s Palace at Colonial Williamsburg and then by a dinner at the Williamsburg Inn. The royal couple departed Virginia for Washington, D.C., that evening on board President Eisenhower's official airplane, The Columbine III.
For a detailed look at the queen's itinerary, see the "From the Archives" section. Then check out the newspaper articles, photographs, documents, and radio broadcasts on this Web site.
