WILLIAMSBURG, Va., January 25, 2012 — Jamestown Settlement, a museum of 17th-century Virginia, is known for its artifact-filled gallery exhibits and hands-on interpretation in re-creations of a Powhatan village, 1607 ships and colonial fort. On February 11, “Community Day” guests to can make an art-history connection with family tours, lecture and a children’s craft activity related to the special exhibition “The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World.”
Organized by the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, “The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World” explores the transformational impact of scientific advances, economic developments and social change from “old” world of the Mediterranean to a new globally connected world. Sixty-five objects from European, Asian, African and American cultures are on display through August 15.
Using a printed gallery guide, families can take a scavenger hunt linked to the portraits and objects in the special exhibition, as well as in the museum’s permanent galleries and outdoor living-history areas, to discover how artists, works of art and artifacts can teach us about people and events of the past. While the printed gallery guide allows guests to explore at their own pace, guests also can take family-friendly guided tours of the special exhibition at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
At 12 noon, Dr. Thomas E. Davidson, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation senior curator, will present a public lecture, “Gateway to the Modern World.”
At 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m., children can make some art of their own with a make-and-take printmaking craft in the museum’s Education Wing classrooms. Children will be able to shape a foam block, paint it and make print impressions.
Ninety-minute guided tours of outdoor re-creations of a Powhatan Indian village, 1607 ships and colonial fort will begin at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 and 2:30 p.m.
In the Jamestown Settlement Gift Shop, musician Timothy Seaman will perform a hammered dulcimer from 12 noon to 3 p.m. and will be available to sign copies of his CDs.
Jamestown Settlement admission is $15.50 for adults, $7.25 for ages 6-12. Children under 6 are free, and parking is free. Residents of James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including the College of William and Mary, receive complimentary admission with proof of residency.
Jamestown Settlement, located at Route 31 South near the Colonial Parkway, is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For more information, call (888) 593-4682 toll-free or (757) 253-4838.
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