Jamestown Rediscovery
More actions
Jamestown Rediscovery is the ongoing archaeological project at Historic Jamestowne, where archaeologists investigate the remains of the 1607 James Fort and the later town on Jamestown Island. It offers a close-up view of how archaeology reshapes the story of early Virginia: explore the fort site, see recovered objects in the Archaearium, and look for scheduled tours and active excavation areas. Historic Jamestowne is jointly administered by the National Park Service and Preservation Virginia; check their official visitor information before setting out for current hours, programs, and admission details.[1][2]
What Jamestown Rediscovery is
Launched in 1994, Jamestown Rediscovery began as a search for the remains of the original James Fort, long believed to have been lost to the James River. Excavations confirmed that much of the fort survived on dry land near the church tower. The work has since expanded to document structures and daily life at the fort and the later settlement, while preserving and interpreting the archaeological evidence.[3][4]
The project sits within the wider story of Jamestown, Virginia: the English settlement founded in 1607, Virginia’s early colonial government, Indigenous communities whose homeland the colony occupied, and the arrival of Africans in 1619. Read the site with that broader history in view; the archaeological record connects individual objects and buildings to both the settlement’s development and its lasting consequences.[5]
What to see
James Fort
Walk through the archaeological site of the original fort. Excavated features and interpretive displays help visitors picture its layout and follow how evidence is used to understand the settlement.
Voorhees Archaearium
This archaeology museum displays objects recovered from the James Fort site. Exhibits interpret material finds alongside the people and events of early Jamestown; check current site information for access details.
Historic Jamestowne beyond the fort
Continue to the church tower and Memorial Church, and New Towne, where marked foundations and other features trace the island’s later colonial history. The island’s interpretive route also includes the Angela Site.
Glasshouse
On the approach to the historic area, the Glasshouse interprets early glassmaking through demonstrations. Confirm its current operating schedule before your visit.
Tours and archaeology in progress
A self-guided walk lets you explore at your own pace, while scheduled tours can add archaeological, historical, or ranger perspectives. Tour offerings and times vary, and weather or staffing may affect the schedule. Check the current weekly program and ask at the visitor center about that day’s tours before making plans around a particular activity.[8][9]
Excavation areas and research change as the project continues. The Jamestown Rediscovery website posts updates on current work and explains how discoveries are interpreted; browsing those updates before or after a visit can help put what you see in context.[10]
Planning your visit
Historic Jamestowne is at 1368 Colonial Parkway on Jamestown Island, in James City County, Virginia. The site is part of the Historic Triangle and connects by the Colonial Parkway to Williamsburg, Virginia and Yorktown, Virginia. The historic grounds cover a substantial walking area, so allow time to move between the visitor center, fort, museum, church area, and other stops.[11]
Admission, hours, gate times, and which areas are open can differ across the Historic Jamestowne site. Check both the National Park Service and Historic Jamestowne’s official visitor pages shortly before travel, especially if you are planning around a tour, the Archaearium, or a particular excavation area. For accessibility information, consult the site’s current guidance; some paths may be challenging for strollers and wheelchairs.[12][13]
For a complementary introduction to the colony through reconstructed settings, ships, and living-history interpretation, add Jamestown Settlement nearby. Together, the two sites offer different ways to explore Jamestown’s past.
References
- ↑ Archaeology, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Colonial National Historical Park, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ History of Jamestown Rediscovery, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Archaeology, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Learn About the Park, Historic Jamestowne, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Archaearium, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Tour Frequently Asked Questions, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Guided Tours, Historic Jamestowne, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Excavations & Research, Historic Jamestowne, Preservation Virginia. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Plan Your Visit, Historic Jamestowne, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Fees & Passes, Historic Jamestowne, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-21.
- ↑ Accessibility, Historic Jamestowne, National Park Service. Retrieved 2026-10-21.