query_posts('&post_type=project&orderby=date');

add_filter('manage_edit-project_columns', 'add_new_project_columns');
function add_new_project_columns($project_columns) {

    // custom columns //
    $new_columns['cb'] = '<input type="checkbox" />';
    $new_columns['images'] = _x('Featured Image');
    $new_columns['title'] = _x('Title');
    $new_columns['projectcategories'] = _x('Filters');
    $new_columns['date'] = _x('Date');

    // Query posts to show date first *NOT WORKING AS DESIRED* //
    query_posts('&post_type=project&orderby=date');

    return $new_columns;
}