WILLIAMSBURG — Make ready for centuries of military history all in one weekend during Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored “Military Through the Ages” annual event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day on Saturday and Sunday, March 19-20.
This unique chronological display of military history will allow visitors to explore military encampments to learn how uniforms, weapons and tactics evolved through the centuries, and encounter military re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E. to modern-day soldiers with the Virginia Army National Guard.
Timeline from the 6th Century to Modern-Day Virginia Army National Guard
Re-enactors will portray soldiers and military encounters that take visitors through the medieval period, War of 1812, Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, World Wars I and II, and Vietnam War in the 20th century. Modern-day units will be represented by the U.S. Army Transportation Museum, Quartermaster Museum and Virginia Army National Guard 111th Field Artillery.
Artillery Firings & A ‘Salute to the Armed Forces’ Musical Performances
Comparative artillery-firing demonstrations will be presented at noon Saturday and Sunday, with weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer.
In a special “Salute to the Armed Forces,” held at 12:30 and 3 p.m. on both days, visitors can enjoy the boogie-woogie sounds of The Matt Fattal Big Band featuring Truetone Honeys.
Military Aspects at Jamestown Settlement
Arms, armor and military accouterments of 17th-century Virginia can be seen year-round inside Jamestown Settlement’s extensive galleries, featuring films and interactive exhibits that tell the story of America’s first permanent English colony and of the Powhatan Indian, English and West Central African cultures that converged in early Virginia. Outdoor re-creations of a 1610-14 English fort and Paspahegh town immerse visitors in 1600s Virginia daily life. Visitors can board the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery, re-creations of the three ships that brought English colonists to Virginia in 1607.
The “Military Through the Ages” special event, which began in 1984, is supported in part by James City County and the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Inc.
About Jamestown Settlement
Jamestown Settlement, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, is located on Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. Admission tickets can be purchased online or in person.
All daytime activities and performances during this special event are included with daytime museum admission: $18.00 for adults, $9.00 for ages 6-12, and free for children ages 5 and under. Virginia residents can purchase an online annual pass for year-round access to Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown for the price of a single-day combination ticket: $28.90 for adults and $14.45 for ages 6-12.
Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including William & Mary students, receive free admission with proof of residency. Gift shop and café open during museum hours. Parking is free.
For more information, visit jyfmuseums.org/militarythroughtheages or call (757) 253-4838. Follow us on social media @jyfmuseums.