Flowerdew Hundred: Unearthing Virginia's History
A permanent exhibit at the Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature, and Culture at the University of Virginia Library
Situated on the southside of Virginia's James River between present-day Richmond and Williamsburg, Flowerdew Hundred was the site of Native American villages, a fortified frontier settlement, a thriving plantation, and a major Civil War encampment. 
The stories of its many different inhabitants—like the stories of many early Virginians—have long been buried in the region's soil. Over the past three decades, a clearer picture of these people, their ways of life, and Virginia's history has emerged through archaeological excavations at this historic site.
Featuring archaeological artifacts on loan from the Flowerdew Hundred Foundation, the permanent exhibition at the Harrison Institute presents material evidence of Virginia's early inhabitants: 
Native American pottery sherds; arms and armor used to defend the new colony; refined, imported wares from Europe, and later, American-made goods, including wares manufactured by African Americans and artifacts from the Civil War. The materials from U.Va.'s Special Collections also on display-images from sixteenth- and seventeenth-century maps and books-illustrate the importance of the historical record in the study of material culture.
In 1967 Mary and David Harrison purchased Flowerdew Hundred. Recognizing the historical significance of the property, they supported research, excavation, and education at the site, becoming major patrons of historical archaeology. Today, Flowerdew Hundred operates as a museum and historic site open to the public.
David A. Harrison III earned a bachelor's degree from U.Va. in 1939 and a law degree in 1941. A lawyer, investment banker, and philanthropist, he became one of the University's most generous alumni during his lifetime. Among Mr. and Mrs. Harrison's many extraordinary gifts to U.Va. was a substantial donation to the University Library that established the Harrison Institute. The Harrisons' generosity continues to support professorships in law, medicine, and historical archaeology, and programs in athletics and undergraduate research.
"Flowerdew Hundred: Unearthing Virginia's History" is on permanent display at the Mary and David Harrison Institute for American History, Literature, and Culture. For hours and information, call the Harrison Institute at 434-924-6040.
