NS contributes $1 million to preserve Jamestown historic site

Norfolk Southern Corp. has gifted $1 million to kick off the "Save Jamestown" campaign to preserve a historical site.

Jamestown, Virginia, is the location of the first permanent English settlement in America and is under serious threat as land area is lost each year due to recurrent flooding and sea level rise, Preservation Virginia officials said in a news release. NS' gift will support environmental and archaeological studies that precede the anticipated design and construction of berms, floodgates, pumping stations and other flood-prevention measures, they said.

"The archaeological story of the people and events that planted the seeds of our American democracy is revealed every day," said Preservation Virginia CEO Elizabeth Kostelny. "This incredibly generous gift from Norfolk Southern gives us the confidence to continue the work to save Jamestown."

As a company deeply rooted in Virginia's history and communities, NS felt a strong responsibility to protect the historical legacy and environmental integrity of the region, said NS Chief Sustainability Officer Josh Raglin.

"Preserving this historically significant site is critical in the face of environmental challenges," he said. "Our support for the Save Jamestown campaign underscores our dedication to our communities and a better planet that we aim to safeguard for future generations."