Busier historic sites across Greater Williamsburg brought more money to the state-run Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation.
The Jamestown Settlement and American Revolution Museum in Yorktown saw an increase in the total number of paid visitors in 2017 and an increase in admissions revenue, according to a Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation news release.
“Growth in individual and group visitation at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is reflective of the positive public response from locals and out-of-town visitors to the new museum,” said Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation spokeswoman Susan Bak.
The foundation said 610,844 paid visitors stopped into both sites in 2017, bringing in nearly $6.3 million.
At the American Revolution Museum, 203,632 paid visitors perused the halls of the museum.
At the Jamestown Settlement, 407,212 paid visitors stopped in at the historic site on the opposite side of the Virginia Peninsula.
“Both museums benefited from extensive media coverage and paid advertising efforts to promote year-round special experiences, exhibitions and events,” Bak said.
The foundation estimates that slightly more than half of all individual paid visitors were out-of-staters.
“We saw resounding success from an increased investment in digital advertising, national public relations and a Virginia-focused radio campaign to promote the new American Revolution Museum at Yorktown and Jamestown Settlement,” Bak said. “Our story included information about ticket and package offers that included area partners, Colonial Williamsburg, Historic Jamestowne, Yorktown Battlefield, as well as Busch Gardens and Water Country USA, to strengthen the area’s prominence as one of the nation’s premier American Revolution destinations.”
More than paid visitors stopped into the sites, 78,801 complimentary admissions were given out in 2017.
Both historic sites are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily; closed Christmas and New Year’s days. Admission tickets at the Jamestown Settlement cost $17 for adults and $8 for children ages 6-12. Admission tickets at the American Revolution Museum cost $15 for adults and $7.50 for ages 6-12. Combination ticket for both museums cost $25.50 for adults and $12.25 for children ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free at both sites.
Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including College of William and Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency.
Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are operated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia and accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
