“You just have to go to Jamestowne. You’re English, it’s the first permanent English settlement and I haven’t been in years and years. It’s kinda hokey* with everyone dressed up and stuff, but you gotta go!”
What I’m about to reveal is an ongoing source of amusement and embarrassment for me all these years later.
When Stephen first came to the USA to visit, I insisted that we should go to Jamestown. I love history but I hadn’t been since the 3rd grade (1990) and thought this would still be so fun to go to even though it’s designed for kids. I typed in Jamestown into the GPS, pulled up Historic Jamestowne and off we went.
As we arrived I was so impressed with how much had changed. There was beautiful drive over the water, a large museum, a cool movie to start your time and much more. Then you headed out to the the rest of the site and I couldn’t believe it. No one was dressed up anymore. No settlers, no Native Americans, no canoes carved out, no wigwams or wooden homes.
“Wow! It’s so cool now but I’m sad you don’t get to see how it used to be.”
We ended up somewhere with information and all became clear.
THIS WAS NOT THE JAMESTOWN OF MY YOUTH! This was HISTORIC JAMESTOWNE where they located the original site of the James Fort and New Towne. It’s an archaeological site. The “other” Jamestown that I went to was where they thought it might have been at one time (assuming it was now underwater) and built the attraction that is The Jamestown Settlement where kids and families go to visit. They began excavating the real fort in 1994, 4 years after I went to visit, and I never knew!!! Preservation Virginia and the National Park Service have now made Historic Jamestowne this incredible place to visit full of history and archaeology.
Since my own Jamestowne Rediscovery (hahaha!) I’ve been back numerous times. It’s probably my favorite thing to do in Hampton Roads (closely followed by the Cape Henry Lighthouse). That means it was a must-visit on my hometown takeover and became a feature one week of The Traveling Teach. Every time I go back I learn something new, about our history, archaeology and Jamestowne. This last time was the first time I realized that the outside areas are dog-friendly! So Truffles and I stopped back by (making it twice in two weeks) to explore more of Jamestowne.
Honestly, there’s too much to see and do in one visit. The best part of this (other than it being dog-friendly outside) is that you get a ticket that lasts for one week (just keep your receipt). That means you can go back a few times to make the most of the entry fee and learn even more. It also includes entry to the Yorktown Battlefield in the fee – bargain!
Here’s a brief overview of what you can expect when you visit Historic Jamestowne.
You enter through the visitor center. Inside are restrooms, information, tickets, a short introductory movie and museum. If you bring your dog, you need to go in alone and get your tickets and then take your dog around the outside as dogs are not allowed in the building.
You exit out the rear of the building and follow a long wooden walkway over a swamp to the site of the James Fort and New Towne. One of the things that has always baffled me is why the settlers chose to stay in what was, basically, a swamp. It added to their discomfort and disease.
Once you arrive at the end of the walkway you’re greeted by a monument to the Virginia Company and the Settlers of Jamestown.
You can choose to head left towards New Towne or you can head right towards the James Fort.
The brick church on the site was designed in 1905, modeled after the Anglican church St. Luke’s near Smithfield, VA. Restorations have been completed showing the original design of the wooden church and stone churches that stood on this space before the current church was built. There are also dig sites all around the base of the church that are being excavated.
Once you’re inside the fort, there are dig sites, displays and occasionally there are live programs in addition to the free tours you can join.
Once you head out the back side of the fort, you make your way along a path towards the Voorhees Archaearium the archaeology museum. There’s a cafe along the way with great snacks and a view of the water.
The Archaearium has been designed to be cantilevered above the ground to keep the items below of archaeological significance safe.
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Inside is a museum of archaeological finds on the site. There’s so much to take in, so this is a very small sampling – including the skull of “Jane,” who they found in the last few years to be proof of cannibalism during The Starving Time.
There are two gift shops available – one in the main visitors center and one at the exit of the Archaearium.
When you’re entering or exiting The Jamestown Island there’s also a glassblowing site that’s great to visit. We didn’t make it on either of these visits, but it’s worth the stop to see the old process of glassblowing happening at the Glasshouse.
If you have a National Park Passport, don’t forget to bring it along to get your stamp. I hope that you’ll enjoy stopping in at Historic Jamestowne if you find yourself in the Hampton Roads area or the Historic Triangle of Jamestown, Williamsburg and Yorktown.
If you’d like to see more of Historic Jamestowne, here’s a video I put together:
We went to the Jamestown Settlement a few years ago and thoroughly enjoyed the village and reenactors. We also went to the recreated Mayflower. It was interesting.
We took my in-laws when they came to visit as well. It’s definitely worth a visit, especially if you want to see the ships (which they did) but my personal preference is Historic Jamestowne.