Jamestown Rediscovery anticipates reopening Historic Jamestowne to the public on Monday, June 29 in response to Governor Northam’s announcement of Phase Two of the Forward Virginia plan. The historic site and museum have been temporarily closed since March 13 owing to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.
“The safety of visitors, staff, and volunteers is our number one priority and we have been working hard over the last several months to devise measures that will allow us to reopen, said Jim Horn, president. “All of us very much look forward to welcoming visitors to the site; it will be a slightly different experience but just as compelling and informative.”
Changes to operations and new health and safety protocols have been implemented to ensure the safety of guests, staff and volunteers. These include:
- All public programs, including Jamestown Rediscovery archaeology, staff presentations, and living history performances, will take place outside and follow social distancing protocols.
- The Memorial Church, showcasing our stunning new 1619 exhibit, will be open subject to a limited capacity of visitors allowed in the building at a time. Visitors are required to wear masks in the Church. The Archaearium Museum, Visitor Center, and Dale House Cafe will remain closed for the time being.
- Social distancing of at least six feet or more is recommended throughout the visit.
- Hand sanitizing stations will be available on site.
- Additional signage will alert visitors to safety protocols and changes in wayfinding.
- Front-line ticketing and retail staff will be stationed outside the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center. Guests are encouraged to wear masks when interacting with staff.
During this initial phase of opening, entrance tickets will be $10 for adults. Children 15 and under are free. Tickets are valid for one visit and include all public programs and entry to the Memorial Church. Regrettably, Historic Jamestowne will not be able to issue or accept National Park Service passes. Local Passes and Preservation Virginia Memberships, however, will be accepted. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets online. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning June 22. Contactless payment will be available on site. Historic Jamestowne will not be able to accept cash.
Contactless shopping will also be available on site. Guests can browse popular items in person, select grab-and-go prepackaged items and browse additional products virtually at their mobile kiosk. Merchandise ordered through their online store will be ready within one hour for guests to pick-up. Cards only will be accepted.
Following guidance from the Governor’s office, Virginia Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Jamestown Rediscovery will continue to assess and make changes as needed to operations in order to maintain a safe guest experience and working environment.
Guests are encouraged to visit historicjamestowne.org prior to their visit for the most up-to-date information.
Additional Updates
- Jamestown Island will remain closed to cars until the reopening, but cyclists and pedestrians may continue to access the causeway and Island Loop Drive.
- Jamestown Rediscovery staff will be doing their best to continue to respond to emails and voicemail messages during the closure. No staff will be on-site to answer the main phone lines, so please leave a message and someone will return your call as soon as possible.
- All school group tours booked through Jamestown Rediscovery and scheduled through Aug. 31 have been cancelled. If you have questions about an existing school group booking, please email hjeducation@preservationvirginia.org.
- All “James Fort: Lost & Found,” “Curators’ Artifact Tours” and “Forensic Fridays” have been cancelled. All ticket holders will be contacted for refunds.
- Product orders will continued being fulfilled on Tuesdays through June 28, so some orders may take longer to arrive than usual. If you have questions about a product order, please email hjstore@preservationvirginia.org.
About Historic Jamestowne
Jamestown Rediscovery is a private non-profit committed to supporting preservation, education and the archaeological investigation of Historic Jamestowne, the original site of the first permanent English settlement in America, where three cultures--Native American, European and African--came together to lay the foundations of modern American society. Historic Jamestowne is jointly administered by Jamestown Rediscovery and the National Park Service.
Jamestown Rediscovery Media Contact:
Kelly Beckley, Director of Visitor Services
kbeckley@preservationvirginia.org