United States

Historic Jamestown

English colonial fort and town, 17th century (Virginia)

Location

Explore the Map

Historical Context

About

Historic Jamestown is the cultural heritage site that was the location of the 1607 James Fort and the later 17th-century town of Jamestown in America. It is located on Jamestown Island, on the James River at Jamestown, Virginia, and operated as a partnership between Preservation Virginia (formerly known as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities) and the U.S. National Park Service as part of Colonial National Historical Park. The site was designated Jamestown National Historic Site on December 18, 1940, and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. It was also designated a National Historic Chemical Landmark in 2007 by the American Chemical Society. It is adjacent and complementary with Jamestown Settlement, a living history museum built run by the Commonwealth of Virginia to interpret the early colony.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

Journey through time and discover key events in this site's history

Quadricentennial state visit

May 4, 2007

Landing and founding

May 13, 1607

John Smith statue unveiled

May 13, 1909

National Register listing

October 15, 1966

National Historic Site designation

December 18, 1940

First arrival of Africans in the colony

1619

Bacon's Rebellion and burning

1676

Second burning and relocation of capital

1698-1699

Civil War batteries constructed

1862

Donation to preservation (Barney gift)

1893

Sea wall construction

1900

Tercentenary monuments and church rebuilding

1907

Capitol building foundation (discovery)

1932

Federal park acquisition

1934

Jamestown Rediscovery project launched

1994

James Fort located

1996

National Historic Chemical Landmark

2007

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Defensive Structures

FortressesBastionsDitchesTowers
category

Military Installations

BattlefieldsBarracks
category

Public and Civic Structures

Administrative BuildingsCouncil Chambers
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

ChurchesAltars
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

MonumentsStatuesReliefsInscriptions
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Landscaped Earthworks
category

Transportation and Communication Structures

Quays
Knowledge Base

Frequently Asked Questions

Explore

Plan Your Visit

Tours, travel arrangements, and practical information

Reference

Details

Country

United States

Coordinates

37.21° N, -76.78° E