On May 2nd 2001 local community representatives and Council leaders were invited to attend the London's US embassy to meet with a special commercial delegation led by the Governor of Virginia, James Gilmore 111 and his wife, first Lady Roxane Gilmore, the then elected hon co-chair of the Jamestown2007 Committee, Virginian businesses and trades people, who were well represented, met with local Communities, the GLA, Docklands Forum (LTGF) and the Tower Hamlets Council..

Local Communities were praised for their work in helping to preserve important heritage sites like the First settlers Monument at Blackwall, their community campaigns had convinced 'Virginia Quay' developers Barratts to restore the historic Monument.

Members of the visiting delegation also took time out to visit other notable historic sites, they visited 'St. Sepulchre Church without Newgate' where John Smith is buried, and saw the stained glass windows of Smith and other notables of the time. it is understood that Patricia Cornwell, America's best selling authoress, made an offer to pay for restoration work to parts of this important historic Church.