Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, VA
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There’s always something exciting happening at the museums, from holiday celebrations like Family Frights and Foods and Feasts, to public gatherings such as Military Through the Ages and the Yorktown Victory Celebration.
Calendar
View our calendar to learn about a variety of events taking place at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, including celebrations, holidays and special events.
Eclipse Viewing Event
- Date: 04/08/2024 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
A little history. A world of fun!
Museum guests on April 8 are invited to join a global event – a solar eclipse!
Guests will learn a little about eclipses in Jamestown and Yorktown’s history, and they will have the opportunity to make their own solar eclipse paper viewer to safely experience the partial solar eclipse in Williamsburg’s northern hemisphere.
Did you know that an eclipse was visible from Jamestown on July 31, 1608 (Julian calendar)? Or that Thomas Jefferson attempted to view an eclipse on June 24, 1778, except for the cloudy conditions?
During a span of two-and-a-half hours, the partial solar eclipse will be 80-85% visible with the maximum view expected to take place at 3:19 p.m. The partial eclipse, the moment the edge of the moon first touches the edge of the sun, is expected to begin at 2:03 p.m. and end at 4:32 p.m.
Museum guests will be provided paper and instructed on how to create a viewer, and then stand with their back to the sun to see the reversed image of the eclipse projected onto a paper card.
Paper viewer materials will be provided at Jamestown Settlement in the Zadarlik-Sogoloff Gazebo, and on the Ferguson Lawn at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. There are several outdoor locations at both museums for guests to use their paper viewers to view the eclipse.
Guests are encouraged not to look directly at the sun without proper eye protection using solar eclipse glasses or other approved methods, as it could seriously damage eyesight or even cause blindness.
The eclipse viewing event is included with museum admission.
Director’s Series
Join Christy S. Coleman, executive director of the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, as she engages in lively and enlightening conversations with some of the nation’s prominent scholars and public figures. This series showcases the mission to raise awareness and understanding of the shared legacies of American history.
Donor Events
Current donors and future donors to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation enjoy a special relationship with our museums. Throughout the year, the Foundation offers donors a variety of educational, cultural and social events, including private receptions during museum special events.
Programs and Activities
Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown host a variety of engaging programs and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. Discover community events, transformative programs and even special, once a year opportunities.
Special Exhibitions
These special exhibitions offer opportunities for in-depth exploration of intriguing historical subjects for a limited time. They also display artifacts on loan from institutions in the United States and abroad. Find exhibits ranging from Chesapeake log canoes, the history of Werowocomoco and even underwater archaeological sites in Bermuda.
Private Events
Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offer dramatic spaces perfect for private events, weddings, receptions, meetings, corporate gatherings and special occasions. Turn your dreams into reality with unique, memorable venues. Enjoy an exclusive setting for a meaningful, memorable event.