Theme
A museum of 17th-century colonial Virginia, Jamestown Settlement chronicles the history of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony, from its beginnings in the Old World through the first century of its existence and explores the European, Powhatan Indian and African cultures that converged there.

Location
Between State Route 31 and the Colonial Parkway; adjacent to Colonial National Historical Park, which encompasses Historic Jamestowne, and six miles from Williamsburg. Ten miles from Interstate 64, Exits 242A and 234.

Exhibit Areas
The museum consists of two elements: an indoor theater and gallery exhibits, and an outdoor living-history program. A 15-minute docudrama, Jamestown: The Beginning, is shown every 20 minutes in the theater. In the gallery exhibits, artifacts from the period are used with reproductions, dioramas and graphics to trace events that led to the founding of Jamestown and provide an overview of 1600s Virginia. Outdoors are a re-created Powhatan Indian village depicting the culture encountered by the English colonists, replicas of the three ships -- Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery -- that transported 104 men and boys from England to Jamestown in 1607, and a palisaded fort representing the colonists' first home. A riverfront discovery area provides information about European, Virginia Indian and African economic activities associated with waterways. In the outdoor areas, historical interpreters demonstrate daily activities and technology of the 17th century.

Historical Perspectives
The Jamestown colony was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, whose stockholders hoped to make a profit on the venture. The settlement faced great difficulties, but managed to endure and was made economically viable through the cultivation of tobacco as a cash crop. Jamestown served as the capital of Virginia until 1699, when the seat of government moved to Williamsburg.

Hours of Operation
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round, until 6 p.m. June 15 through August 15. Closed on New Year's and Christmas days. Allow three hours for a visit to Jamestown Settlement.

2006 Admission Rates
Adults, $11.75; youth ages 6 through 12, $5.75. Discount for groups of 15 or more. Combination ticket with Yorktown Victory Center: adults, $17.00; ages 6-12, $8.25. Annual pass with Yorktown Victory Center: adults, $35; ages 6-12, $17.50. Parking is free.

Visitor Amenities
The gift shop complements and extends the museum experience with a comprehensive selection of books, prints, artifact reproductions, educational toys and games, jewelry and mementos. The 190-seat Jamestown Settlement Cafe offers freshly prepared salads, sandwiches, entrees, desserts and beverages. A museum admission ticket is not required to visit the gift shop or cafe. Hours of operation correspond with museum hours.

Museum History
Opened April 1, 1957, as Jamestown Festival Park, commemorating the 350th anniversary of Jamestown's founding. Name changed to Jamestown Settlement in 1990.

400th Anniversary Commemoration
Planning is under way to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the 1607 founding of Jamestown, America's first permanent English colony. New visitor facilities and exhibits will be implemented at Jamestown Settlement by 2007. The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation is working with state, local and federal partners to plan a commemoration of statewide, national and international significance.

Courtesy of HistoryIsFun.org.