On May 2nd 2001 local community representatives and Council leaders were invited to attend a major function at the 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 elected hon co-chair of the Jamestown2007 Committee, Virginian businesses and trades people were well represented, as were local Community representatives, the GLA, Docklands Forum (LTGF), Tower Hamlets Council, etc.

Local Community Groups were praised for their work in helping to preserve our important local heritage sites, especially the First settlers Monument at Blackwall, their community campaigns had got Barratts Developers to restore the historic Monument at 'Virginia Quay'

Members of the visiting delegation took time out to visit other notable historic sites including 'St. Sepulchre Church without Newgate' where John Smith himself lies buried, they were able to see the old stained glass windows of Smith as well as other notables features, America's best selling authoress, Patricia Cornwell, offered to pay towards badly needed restoration work of this important historic Church.