March 15-16, 2025

Make ready for centuries of military history – all in one weekend – at Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored “Military Through the Ages” event on March 15 and 16.

For more than four decades, ancient warriors, knights, sailors and soldiers have descended on museum grounds to present one of the most unique chronological displays of military history.

Military Through the Ages features hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E. all the way to modern-day soldiers with the Virginia Army National Guard. View a list of units in 2024.

Military Through the Ages invites visitors to explore military encampments and interact with re-enactors to learn how uniforms, weapons and tactics evolved through the centuries.

Timeline from 500 B.C.E. to the Virginia Army National Guard

During the weekend event, hundreds of re-enactors portray soldiers and military encounters across the globe from Greek and Roman times, the medieval period, Hundred Years’ War, War of the Roses, American Revolution, War of 1812, Napoleonic Wars, and American Civil War.

Re-enactors depicting World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada will take visitors through the 20th century. The National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Virginia Army National Guard 111th Field Artillery will represent the present day.

Virginia Army National Guard fires a 105mm howitzer. Photo by Bob Ruegsegger.

2024 Highlights

During the 40th anniversary of Military Through the Ages in 2024, visitors were thrilled by a helicopter flyover, artillery firings and a military pass-in-review.

Comparative artillery-firing demonstrations showcased weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer. The Virginia Army National Guard presented a narrated flyover of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters along the riverfront area, followed by artillery firing. A military pass-in-review featured a narrated procession of re-enactment units with a salute from VANG Major General James Ring, the adjutant general of Virginia.

Visitors also saluted active duty and military veterans and their military families, by creating a personalized star for service members on a “Wall of Gratitude” in the Robert V. Hatcher, Jr. Rotunda. Stars were created for veterans and service members in United States armed forces and reserve.

Music filled the air as three military bands performed for guests. The U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, performed on Saturday. It is the only unit of its kind in the armed forces and part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard). Musicians performed in uniforms patterned after those worn by the musicians of General George Washington's Continental Army in circa 1784.

The AEF Headquarters Band, a 12-piece brass band representing the one formed at the American Expeditionary Forces Headquarters in Chaumont, France in 1918 at the request of General John Joseph Pershing, performed period tunes. The band was sponsored by The Doughboy Foundation, which pays tribute to the 4.7 million Americans who served in World War I, and the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The 29th Infantry Division Band from the Virginia Army National Guard, known as “The Governor’s Own,” join in with patriotic songs. The band performed in three ensembles during the event, including the Concert Band, Fife and Drum and Normandy Winds.

Military history at Jamestown Settlement

Arms, armor and military equipment of 17th-century Virginia can be seen year-round inside Jamestown Settlement’s extensive galleries. Permanent galleries feature films and interactive exhibits that tell the story of America’s first permanent English colony and of the convergence of the Powhatan Indian, English and West Central African cultures in 1600s Virginia.

Outdoors, visitors can immerse themselves in life of early Virginia in outdoor re-creations of a 1610-14 English fort, Paspahegh Town and three re-created ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607.

Military Through the Ages is supported by Helen Zadarlik, James City County and through generous contributions to the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc. Annual Fund.

Explore other programs and events happening throughout the year.

About Jamestown Settlement

Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily (except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s days), Jamestown Settlement is located on State Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. Café and museum shop open during museum hours.

Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person. Plan your visit today or call (757) 253-4838 for more information.