Through exhibits and films, visitors discover the settlement and learn about the Powhatan Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans who lived in the area during the 17th century. Outside, the museum showcases replicas of the three ships that arrived in Virginia from England in the 1600s. Visitors can also walk through recreations of the colonists’ forts and a Powhatan village that include demonstrators in period garb. Combination ticket packages of what is known as “America’s Historic Triangle,” including Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, are available.
Jamestown Settlement is located about 30 minutes from Yorktown Victory Center on Route 31 South. From Richmond, take Interstate 64 to Exit 234; follow Route 199 and turn right onto Jamestown Road (Route 31 South). Free parking is available. The site is about 20 miles (32 kilometers) away from the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
The museum is open from 9am to 5pm every day, with slightly extended hours during high summer. It is closed on Christmas (December 25) and New Year’s Day (January 1). Every year, on May 9, the site celebrates “Jamestown Day,” marking the founding of America’s first permanent English settlement. The event includes family-friendly programs, plus military and maritime demonstrations.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is about a 30-minute drive from the Jamestown Settlement. There, visitors learn about the nation’s founding via galleries featuring period artifacts, interactive exhibits, and films. Plus, learn about the life of a soldier and watch demonstrations on medical treatment, cooking, and more. Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown are all connected by the Colonial Parkway.
