Historic Jamestowne
1368 Colonial Parkway,Jamestown,
Virginia 23081
(757) 229-1733
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5 Reviewsfor Historic Jamestowne
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350 families found this helpful
"Fascinating for history buffs"
Historic Jamestowne, which allows a reciprocal entrance ticket with Yorktown nearby for a full week, is the site of the first permanent English settlement in the US. There is a self-guided driving tour around the island which gives you a real sense of what the settlers were up against and interesting tidbits about how the land and it's flora have changed.
Not to be confused with the nearby Jamestown Landing, Historic Jamestowne is an actual historical site including an archaeological dig. View the foundation of the first statehouse, a forensic inquiry into the death of one of the settlers, and artifacts from long before Europeans walked the land. An early church stands on the site with recovered gravestones as well as the framework for barracks. A glassblowing shed and demonstration rounds out the experience.
The cafe on site provides typical lunch fare that can be enjoyed indoors, on the patio or at one of the picnic tables near the water. From here you can watch the Surry Ferry cross the James River.
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"Jamestown"
I do not know that this is the place for younger children, mine are four and one and i just don't think it would hold their interest. there were no programs for younger children at all, we'll probably go back when they are older. This is more for history buffs.
0 families found this helpful
"Really Cool"
Jamestown is so interesting and shows a lot of history and is a really great activity for families especially if you are passing through and just want to get off the rode and take a break that would be a really great place to just stop and rest from driving by seeing a little bit of history.
0 families found this helpful
"Fun with the Family"
Although only modern bricks mark the footprints of the first buildings, this is the original site of the 1607 Jamestown settlement, the first permanent English settlement, established thirteen years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts.
Although Jamestown Settlement—a living-history museum—is fun, my family finds the quiet of Historic Jamestowne—the original site—more compelling. Sitting along the windblown riverbank, listening to the lapping gray waters, we find it easy to imagine the hopefuls who landed here and the hearty few who survived.
And the new, multimedia screen presentation at the visitor center, which opened in January 2007, uses nine computers to show 3,000 images that introduce visitors to the community’s personalities and its perils, from plagues to near-starvation and Indian attacks. The Archaearium, which debuted in May 2007, displays excavated artifacts. “Meet” one of the early settlers, believed to be a captain, by viewing his skeleton, and learn how real-life forensic techniques lead to assumptions about the identity of the bones. The three-dimensional representation of a 1620s well details how archaeologists unearthed suits of armor, wine bottles, and other 17th-century items. Among the interesting finds: a sheathed dagger, a surgically marked skull, and a silver ear picker, something well-bred gentlemen employed to scoop out wax from their ears.
Outside you can stroll by the ongoing excavations. Archaeologists are following the footprint of unearthed postholes to construct the frame of what may be a 1608 barracks. As interesting as the new exhibits are, be sure to get beyond them to the undeveloped park. On the self-guided driving tour, you get a sense of the wilderness encountered by the stalwart pioneers.
For some take-home history, check out the gift shop. Among the finds: the Jamestown Survivor Game, a board game requiring players to cooperate and to create survival strategies like the early settlers did.
For a more extensive exploration of the island, take the 5-mile loop drive and witness the wilderness these first colonists encountered. Before you leave stop by the reconstructed glasshouse of 1608, where craftsmen demonstrate seventeenth-century glassblowing.
1 family found this helpful
"Feild Trip Heaven"
This whole recreated Jamestowne is a teacher's dream feild trip! There are 3 areas. A dock with the 3 ships that landed in Jamestowne. The indian village. and the recreated town of Jamestowne.
The dock is fun because there are sailors in full costume hanging out waiting to answer your questions. You can board the ships and go below to see what life on board would have been like.
In the town you can enter the church and other buildings. Some of them have real artifacts from Jamestowne in them.
In the indian village you can enter their homes and learn all about how life changed with settling of Jamestowne.
The tour guides are great with kids and really know their stuff! The museum is nice, especially if it is cold and raining (like it was when were were there).
Overall this is touristy and a bit corny - but your kids will love it! Afterall, it was recreated to teach them!
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