On Saturday, May 18, mark the anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown with family friendly programs, military salutes, maritime and interpretive demonstrations at Jamestown Settlement.

Visitors to the ships’ pier also can board the Susan Constant and Discovery, learn how sailors navigated the seas in the 17th century with a special program on celestial navigation and hauling cargo out of the ship’s hold.

The sailing of the Godspeed, originally scheduled to demonstrate sailing maneuvers in the James River, was cancelled as a result of forecasted weather conditions.

In re-creations of James Fort and Paspahegh Town, visitors can take part in a variety of hands-on demonstrations, including English and Powhatan trade and Powhatan foodways. Explore methods of English beer making and period cooking, as well as programs on English and Powhatan weaponry and military tactics, including a pike drill and the firing of a 17th-century falcon.

Indoor gallery exhibits & outdoor living history

Indoors, visitors can view “1607: A Nation Takes Root”, a docudrama shown every 30 minutes in the museum theater. The film traces the evolution of the Virginia Company that sponsored the Jamestown colony, examines the relationship between the English colonists and the Powhatan Indians, and chronicles the arrival of the first recorded West Central Africans in 1619. Immersive gallery exhibits feature artifacts, interactives and films. Outdoors, explore re-creations of Paspahegh Town, fort and board a re-creation of one of the three ships that arrived in Virginia in 1607 at the ships’ pier.

Join the commemoration

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Jamestown Settlement admission is $18.00 for adults and $9.00 for ages 6-12. A value-priced combination ticket with the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for ages 6-12. Children ages 5 and under are admitted free.

Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.

Free admission for military

In honor of Jamestown Day, members of the military (veteran, active duty, reserve and retired military personnel and up to three direct family members) will receive free admission to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown with military identification.

Jamestown Settlement is administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.

About Jamestown Settlement

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), Jamestown Settlement is located on State Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. The museum features expansive exhibition galleries and films that connect visitors with the lives of the Powhatan, English and West Central African cultures that converged at 17th-century Jamestown. Outdoor living-history areas feature historical interpretation in re-creations of Paspahegh Town, 1607 English ships and a colonial fort.

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information.

Explore other activities and events happening throughout the year.