Colonial Virginia

First off, there are actually two Jamestown sites to visit: Jamestown Island, managed by the National Parks Service and the actual archeological preservation site, and Jamestown Settlement, a recreated site with demonstrators and lots of hands-on exploration. Most groups go to the Settlement since it is more engaging, but both can be done if time is managed well.

Jamestown Island: This is the actual site of the 1607 colony, the first permanent English settlement in the USA. An onsite museum houses many relics from the archeological digs. There is also a recreated glasshouse demonstrating glassblowing, one of the economic endeavors of the early colony.

Jamestown Settlement: This extremely interactive site uses historic interpreters, recreated structures, and museum displays to communicate how the confluence of European, Native American, and African cultures came together to create the nation we live in today. There are many displays and demonstrations available, so come ready to ask lots of questions and get involved.

Shortly after Independence Virginia’s capital was moved inland to Richmond, abandoning Williamsburg. In the 1920’s it was restored to become the world’s largest living history museum allowing you to step back to the 1770’s. Walking down its streets, you might run into some familiar characters, such as Patrick Henry, George Washington, or Thomas Jefferson. You can visit with trained craftsmen and merchants and have a period meal in one of the historic taverns.

Williamsburg Evening Programs:

Williamsburg provides a variety of evening programs to experience the lantern-lit town at night. Some of the available options are:
Lantern Walking Tour: Walking tour of colonial trade shops
Colonial Dance: Dance demonstration and lessons
Papa Said, Mama Said: African-American stories
In Defense of Our Liberty: Musters you into the continental army
Discovering the Past: Archeology investigations
Cry Witch: Participatory mock trail
Legends of the Past: Mysterious folk tales in character
Grand Medley of Entertainments: Traveling minstrels and jesters.
Ghost Tour: Unexplained “stories and mysteries” of the past

Just like Jamestown, Yorktown has two separate entities; one is the battlefield preserved by the NPS, and the other an education center recreated by the State of Virginia (this is where most groups spend their time). Both can be visited together fairly easily.

Yorktown Battlefield: This is the site of the final major battle of the Revolutionary War and end of Colonial English America. You can walk the preserved fortified lines and batteries, and visit Surrender Field and the Victory Monument.

Yorktown Victory Center: Indoor exhibits walk you through a timeline of the American Revolution, and two outdoor exhibits provide interactive demonstrations. The Continental Army Encampment gives you an inside look at the soldier’s life, living conditions, food, medical treatment, and weaponry and the early-American farm shows what life was like for a typical middle-class family living off the land.

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