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A Colonial Christmas
December 1, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Jamestown Settlement &
Yorktown Victory Center
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"A Colonial Christmas" offers a glimpse of 17th- and 18th-century holiday traditions with special tours and interpretive programs and, from December 26 through 31, musical entertainment of the period.
Learn about tickets and packages.
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| In Jamestown Settlement's re-created fort, hear period musical performances December 26-31. |
Jamestown Settlement
"A Jamestown Christmas" holiday film and special interpretive programs compare and contrast English Christmas customs of the period with how the season may have been observed in the difficult early years of America’s first permanent English colony. In 17th-century England, the holiday season – extending from December 25 to January 6 – was a time of merriment and feasting. Little is known about Christmases at Jamestown, but it is likely there were few celebrations other than church services to mark the holiday.
Orientation tours of Jamestown Settlement's outdoor living-history areas will be offered at 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. daily during “A Colonial Christmas,” giving an overview of the Jamestown colony's early years. In addition, visitors can see wattle-and-daub buildings in the 1610-14 re-created fort decorated with greenery.
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| A Yorktown Victory Center historical interpreter sets a holiday table at the re-created 1780s farm. Enjoy period music of the holiday season December 26-31. |
Yorktown Victory Center
Hear accounts of Christmas and winter in military encampments during the American Revolution and glimpse holiday preparations on a 1780s farm. Visitors to the Continental Army encampment can learn about winter camp life and hear accounts of Christmas during the war, as well as assist the quartermaster in preparing military supplies and, at 11:05 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. daily, observe artillery demonstrations.
At the clapboard farmhouse adorned with greenery, historical interpreters compare and contrast 18th-century holiday traditions with those of modern times and demonstrate a variety of holiday activities, including setting a farmhouse table for a holiday feast. Visitors can see open-hearth cooking in the farm kitchen and take part in candle-dipping activities.
Holiday Tickets, Tours & Packages
Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round, except for Christmas and New Year’s days. A value-priced combination ticket to both museums is $20.50 for adults and $10.25 for ages 6-12, a 20 percent savings on individual museum admission. Admission to Jamestown Settlement is $16.00 for adults and $7.50 for ages 6-12, and to the Yorktown Victory Center, $9.75 for adults and $5.50 for ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free. Admission for residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg. Parking is free at both museums.
A History is Fun for the Holidays combination ticket – available online only – offers seven days of unlimited admission to both museums at $20.50 for adults and $10.25 for ages 6 through 12 and includes coupon booklets for Williamsburg Premium Outlets and the Historic Yorktown Rewards Card. The History is Fun for the Holidays vacation package starts at $199 for two nights’ lodging in the Williamsburg area and three days of unlimited admission for two adults to Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center. Customized private tours are available for an additional fee with advance reservations.
Private Tours
A private tour with a premium Christmas theme can be added to any admission ticket for an additional fee and advance reservations for a party of 14 or fewer people. Premium themed private tours include "Tales of Yuletide" at Jamestown Settlement and "Provisions Scarce" at the Yorktown Victory Center.
Holiday Shopping in Museum Stores
In time for holiday shopping, museum shops offer a selection of books, prints, museum reproductions, educational toys, games and souvenirs relating to the 17th and 18th centuries. Admission is not required to visit the museum gift shops, open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
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Administered by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth of
Virginia that is accredited by the American Association of Museums.
©Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, P.O. Box 1607, Williamsburg,
Virginia 23187-1607 (757) 253-4838 or toll-free (888)593-4682; fax (757)253-5299
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