The Jamestown Settlement was initially opened on April 1, 1957, as Jamestown Festival Park, marking the 350th anniversary of Jamestown’s founding and establishment of America’s first permanent English settlement. The name changed to Jamestown Settlement in 1990. Expansive exhibition galleries, an introductory film, and revitalized living-history areas exploring the convergence of the Virginia Indian, English, and West Central African cultures debuted in time for Jamestown’s 400th anniversary in 2007. Enhancements to exhibition galleries with new historical research and technology, including a 4D theater, were introduced during the 2019 commemoration1.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, on the other hand, was opened as the Yorktown Victory Center on April 1, 1976, as one of three Bicentennial centers in Virginia. The museum’s focus broadened in the 1990s to encompass the entire Revolutionary period, and two decades later underwent a phased transformation of the 22-acre site with operations moving in March 2015 from the 1976 building to the new museum. In October 2016, the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown debuted its new name with permanent exhibition galleries and an introductory film, followed by new living-history areas the following spring. A 13-day Grand Opening culminated with a dedication on April 1, 20171.
The mission of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is to foster an understanding and awareness of the early history, settlement, and development of the United States through the convergence of American Indian, European, and African cultures and the enduring legacies bequeathed to the nation1. The Foundation is governed by a Board of Trustees, which includes the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Education, members from the General Assembly, citizens of the Commonwealth appointed by the Governor, and the president of the private affiliate Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. is administered by a Board of Directors consisting of no more than 30 members. This includes at least three but no more than seven members of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation’s Board of Trustees, including the trustees’ chair. The daily administration of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation and its museums is provided by a dedicated leadership team, department heads, professional staff, and trained volunteers1.
FAQ:
The Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offer a variety of ticket options, as detailed on their official website:
- General admission ticket for either Jamestown Settlement or the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown costs $18.00 for adults and $9.00 for youth.
- A combination ticket purchased on site, which covers one admission to Jamestown Settlement and one admission to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, costs $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for youth. This ticket can be used on different days.
- There’s also a 7-Day Ticket available online, which costs $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for youth. This ticket offers seven days of unlimited visits to both sites.
- The American Heritage Annual Pass costs $44.00 for adults and $22.00 for youth and offers unlimited admission to both sites for one year from the date of activation.
- Virginia residents and Commonwealth of Virginia employees can buy the American Heritage Annual Pass online for $30.00 for adults and $15.00 for youth.
- The America’s Historic Triangle Ticket, which costs $119.00 for adults and $53.00 for youth, grants access to three historical sites (all of Colonial Williamsburg’s historic sites, trade shops and museums, Jamestown Settlement, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown) plus two National Park sites (Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield) for seven consecutive days.
- The Four-Site Value Ticket, which costs $62.00 for adults, $34.00 for ages 13-15, and $19.00 for ages 6-12, grants access to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown as well as two National Park sites (Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown Battlefield) for seven consecutive days1.
As for walking around Jamestown Settlement for free, I was unable to find specific information about this. It’s recommended to check directly with the museum for the most accurate information.
Seeing Jamestown and Yorktown in one day seems feasible given the proximity of the two sites. However, the amount of time you’ll need to tour each site can vary depending on your interests. Unfortunately, I was unable to find an exact time estimate for touring Jamestown Settlement.
As for the Buddy L Museum, it appears to be a virtual museum dedicated to Buddy L toys, with a focus on providing information, buying pressed steel toys, and offering free toy appraisals. The website does not list any physical location or ticket prices, suggesting that it is primarily an online resource2.