Historic Jamestowne is the original site of the 1607 James Fort and where visitors can experience the moment of discovery alongside Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists.
two parts of the site
Visitors listen to Staff Archaeologist Natalie Reid explain the Governor’s Well and 1608 ditch excavations.
Historic Jamestowne is managed by two separate organizations:
The National Park Service (Colonial National Historical Park)
Preservation Virginia (Jamestown Rediscovery), a private, non-profit.
Because of this unique partnership, you will need two tickets to see the entire island. You can purchase both tickets at the Visitor Center upon arrival. Use this site map to learn which attractions are covered by each ticket.
Important: You MUST buy the National Park Service ticket to visit any part of Historic Jamestowne.
To access any portion of the island, you must purchase the National Park Service (NPS) ticket. This is your first entrance pass to Historic Jamestowne. You cannot visit the Jamestown Rediscovery portion of the site without an NPS ticket.
If you want to see the FULL Historic Jamestowne experience, you will need both tickets.
You can buy Preservation Virginia tickets online up to 7 days before your visit.
These tickets are good for 7 days in a row starting on the date you choose.
Tickets are non-refundable.
Show your email confirmation when you check in.
Keep your receipt if you plan to return during your 7-day window. Register receipt is REQUIRED for re-entry. Your blue sticker is NOT a valid receipt. Receipts are NON-TRANSFERABLE.
total cost to see the whole site
Adult (16 & over)
$30
Youth (6-15)
$5
Child (5 & under)
Free
group visits
If you have a group of 10 or more, please fill out the group request form so staff can schedule your visit.
important notes
Outside private tours are NOT ALLOWED on the Preservation Virginia portion of the site.
The two-ticket system is new (added in late 2023). Staff understand it can be confusing and are happy to help.
Set the stage for your island exploration by watching a video about this land in 1607 and enjoying exhibits that fit Jamestown into a worldwide story. The building also contains the gift shop, restrooms, and water fountains. Click here to learn more.
Your walk over the pitch and tar swamp gives you a chance to imagine the way Jamestown looked in 1607. You may spot turtles, eagles, osprey, and heron on your way. Click here to learn more.
Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists, in partnership with the National Park Service, explored William Pierce’s property to learn more about the household and landscape of the site where Angela, one of the first Africans to arrive in Virginia, lived. Click here to learn more.
Enjoy a peaceful walk through the area that was a bustling seaport in the 17th century. The remains of important buildings are marked with signs and brick outlines. Click here to learn more.
Besides the Tercentennial Monument, you will see several smaller monuments on your visit. Perhaps most recognizable is the APVA gate, presented in 1907. Click here to learn more.
One of the most famous monuments on Jamestown Island, the Pocahontas statue commemorates this important woman who helped build a bridge between the English and Powhatans. Click here to learn more.
This is a cool, refreshing place to meditate on America's origins, since this church mimics 17th-century churches and stands over the foundations of where America's first representative assembly met in 1619. Click here to learn more.
The brick church tower is the only remaining above-ground structure from early Jamestown. For centuries, visitors have made pilgrimages to this symbol of America's birthplace. Click here to learn more.
Originally built in 1607 as a triangular defense, the fort continued to develop until the 1620s. In 22 years of exploration, the Jamestown Rediscovery team has unveiled the long-lost mosaic of life inside the fort, including the various houses, churches, and the seat of the early colonial government. Click here to learn more.
Join the moment of discovery as archaeologists with the Jamestown Rediscovery Project continue to explore Jamestown and bring new vitality to the story of America's beginning. Excavation areas change seasonally. Click here to learn more.
The Colonial Dames of America in the State of Virginia erected the Hunt shrine in June 1922 to commemorate the Rev. Robert Hunt, the first Anglican minister of the colony, and the earliest celebration of the Holy Communion in the first permanent English settlement in America. Click here to learn more.
At this interactive space for kids and families, hands-on activities teach young children about the fort and archaeology. The schedule varies seasonally. Click here to learn more.
Lunch at the Dale House Café will include the best view of the James River for miles in either direction! The fare includes homemade BBQ and light sandwiches along with a variety of soups, salads, and desserts. Restrooms are also available. Click here to learn more.
More than 4,000 artifacts are on vivid display at this award-winning museum. Exhibits include "The World of Pocahontas, Unearthed" that highlights the objects used by Virginia Indians. Click here to learn more.
From 1607 to 1699, Jamestown was the legislative seat of Virginia. The Statehouse was the only building at Jamestown constructed to house the General Assembly. Several archaeological excavations have explored its foundations. Click here to learn more.
You may walk, bike, or drive along the 3- or 5-mile loops to enjoy the scenic views of the island. These marshes and dense woods are similar to what colonists saw 400 years ago. Signs explain Jamestown's long history, from 17th-century sites to Civil War earthworks that still stand. Click here to learn more.
As you leave the island, stop to see skilled tradesmen making decorative glass objects as colonists did in the first years of James Fort. You can buy their handiwork to adorn your own home! Click here to learn more.
