WILLIAMSBURG, Va. – In 2016, Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center living-history museums in the Williamsburg area of Virginia will offer special programs across four seasons to enrich the story of America's 17th- and 18th-century beginnings.

Special programs, exhibits and interpretive programs expand on the stories of the past that unfold daily at the two state-operated museums through indoor films and exhibits and outdoor re-created living-history areas — a Powhatan Indian village, 1607 English ships and 1610-14 colonial fort at Jamestown Settlement, and Revolutionary War encampment and farm at the Yorktown Victory Center.

In the Yorktown Victory Center's new 80,000-square-foot museum building, which opened in March 2015 marking a midpoint milestone in the transformation to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, visitors can take inthe grand entrance lobby bordered by a museum gift shop and café. A theater features three Revolution-theme films, and an American Revolution timeline corridor leads to the outdoor encampment and farm, where visitors interact with historical interpreters. An exhibit previews elements of the new museum from a selection of artifacts to props used in the making of a new introductory film. Work continues on development of new gallery exhibits and introductory film, planned for completion by late 2016, when the site will be renamed the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.

WINTER

The year starts with the “Clayton & Catesby: Botanical Virginia” Exhibit at Jamestown Settlement, where 18th-century prints by naturalist Mark Catesby, on loan from the Garden Club of Virginia, are exhibited alongside a 1762 edition of “Flora Virginica” based on the work of botanist John Clayton. The exhibit, which also features a short film on the 21st-century “Flora of Virginia Project,” opens December 5, 2015, and will be on display through February 28.

African-American Musical Imprint at Jamestown Settlement on February 13 highlights Black History Monthin February with musical performances of African and African-American musical heritage.

SPRING

Jamestown Settlement's annual Military Through the Ages takes place March 19 and 20, with hundreds of re-enactors spanning centuries of military history with period musical performances, a children's parade and military pass-in-review.

Jamestown Day at Jamestown Settlement on May 14, jointly sponsored with Historic Jamestowne, commemorates the 409th anniversary of the founding of America's first permanent English colony. 

SUMMER

Opening on June 4 through December 10, “Bartering for a Continent: How Anglo-Indian Trade Shaped America” special exhibitionat Jamestown Settlement will explore the importance of trade between American Indians and English colonists and the role of Virginia in the development of a new world of exchange in goods and commodities in North America.

Blacksmiths, potters, turners, carvers and spinners demonstrate their skills at Jamestown Settlement for a Historic Trades Fair on June 4 and 5.

At the Yorktown Victory Center, Liberty Celebration on July 3 and 4 salutes the anniversary of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Visitors can observe tactical and artillery drills, take part in a military exercises, and learn about the challenges that faced our nation's founders. 

FALL

Yorktown Victory Celebration is held October 15 and 16 in conjunction with the 235th anniversary of the decisive military victory of the American Revolution and features artillery firings and aspects of military life.

Family Frights at Jamestown Settlement, a Halloween-theme museum night for elementary-school-age children and families, takes place October 28 and 29. 

Both museums offer seasonal holiday programs in late fall.  Historical foodways are featured during Foods & Feasts of Colonial Virginia, November 24-26, and 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions during A Colonial Christmas, December 1-31.

Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, until 6 p.m. from June 15 through August 15.  Admission to special programs during museum operating hours is included with general admission.  A value-priced combination ticket for both museums is $21.25 for adults and $10.75 for ages 6 through 12.  Jamestown Settlement admission is $17.00 for adults and $8.00 for ages 6-12.  Yorktown Victory Center admission is $9.75 for adults, $5.50 for ages 6-12.  An annual pass also is available.  Parking at the museums is free.

Jamestown Settlement is located on Route 31 at the Colonial Parkway next to Historic Jamestowne, administered by the National Park Service and Jamestown Rediscovery (on behalf of Preservation Virginia).  The Yorktown Victory Center is located on Route 1020 in Yorktown near Yorktown Battlefield, administered by the National Park Service.  The museums are a short distance from Busch Gardens®, Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary City and Art Museums, and other attractions.  Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center admission is included in several Williamsburg area joint tickets and vacation packages.

For more information, call (888) 593-4682 toll-free or (757) 253-4838, or visit www.historyisfun.org.

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Information contacts:

Tracy Perkins, (757) 253-4114, tracy.perkins@jyf.virginia.gov

Susan Bak, (757) 253-4138, susan.bak@jyf.virginia.gov                                                               8/2015