PLEASE NOTE, THIS POST MAY INCLUDE AFFILIATE LINKS, MEANING THAT IF YOU CLICK ON A LINK AND MAKE A PURCHASE, I'LL RECEIVE A SMALL COMMISION. THIS WILL COME AT NO COST TO YOU.
When initially planning a Williamsburg, Virginia trip, many people aren’t aware that there are two Jamestown sites, the Historic Jamestowne Site, and the Jamestown Settlement. Often, visitors must choose between one or the other. Fortunately we visit both.
The first order of business at Historic Jamestowne, is to stamp our National Park Passport book.
The general admission ticket, is good for seven days, meaning you can visit as much as you want for seven days. There are various tours and talks, offered at the site, that are included with admission.
We join the archeology tour.
Aside from Indiana Jones, I don’t know a lot about archeology. Our tour guide, along with the other staff, ignite a desire for spending quiet days, methodically brushing earth from a shard of ceramic plate.
Historic Jamestowne is the actual site, where the original settlement, was thought to be. They are constantly hard at work, investigating, researching, and unearthing voices of the past.
One side of this National Park site, contains a leisurely path, that meanders through ruins. Most are family homes. It’s a favorite, because I like learning about how people lived their everyday lives.
The other side of the park, is made up of the current, active, archeology dig sites, along with some recreations of what used to be.
Needing sustenance, we stop into the Dale House Cafe. For a National Park, tourist, eatery, the offerings are pleasantly surprising. Obsessed with all things chickpea, the Vegan Spring Wrap, gives me healthy-food-delight.
The cafe is a nice respite, whether sitting indoors, or outdoors.
There is an indoor museum, where information is dispended, and found items displayed.
I discover my favorite, portrait, ever.
I hope Sir Henry insisted on having his cat in the portrait. The painter really captures a cat’s essence.
Post-trip, I’ve taken a deep dive into The Jamestown Brides. So fascinated by the idea, of groups of single women, boarding a ship, to go to an unknown wilderness, to start a new life, I bought the book.
The whole story is more complex, and compelling, than the small blurbs at the museum.
The recreated church, is beautiful, in its brick and wood simplicity.
Historic Jamestowne, is one of the best historic sites I’ve visited. I appreciate how it ignites a passion for learning. I did notice that most kids were not impressed, and acted bored, but if you are a lover of history, and/or archeology, it is a must do.
If you want to visit other National Park Sites in the area, check out
Comments are closed.
Dawn Byrne
atThank you for this. I didn’t know there was a difference between the two. And thank you for including that this may not be the best choice for a family trip with children!