American Revolution Museum At Yorktown Virginia
The American Revolution is an important part of our history. To experience it come alive, consider a visit to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
American Revolution Museum At Yorktown Overview
Visiting Yorktown Battlefield is an important way to experience part of American history. But, if you want to understand it more deeply, consider pairing it with a visit to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. This living-history museum showcases both the military life and farm life aspects of the revolutionary time. You’ll see a Continental Army tent camp as well as a working farm. Live interpreters bring the time to life through stories and demonstrations.
There is a large modern museum full of artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the revolution. The museum opened March 23, 2017. It is a nice, modern museum featuring exhibits that use the latest technology.
Plan on spending several hours and walking between 1-1.5 miles. Surfaces are level.
The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is open 9:00-5:00 daily except for Christmas and New Year’s Day. The museum stays open an hour later June 15-August 15. For the latest information on hours, please visit the American Revolution Museum site.
American Revolution Museum Exhibits
Featuring the latest museum exhibit technology, this museum is sure to engage you.
American Revolution Living Museum
The best part of the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is the living museum. Exhibits represent farm and military life from the revolutionary era. The interpreters are very engaged and provide great information through demonstrations and storytelling.
There is a house and several farm buildings. You’ll find gardens demonstrating some of the crops that were raised. Inside, you’ll get an explanation of things like cooking and preserving food without refrigeration.
You’ll also get to experience some of the crafts and skills used during this era. For example, you might see someone spinning wool or weaving.
Adjacent to the farm exhibits is a large tent encampment. You can see inside the tents to get a taste for the living conditions of the revolutionary soldiers. The most basic tents are lined with straw for bedding. Officers tents are a bit more deluxe with a cot and desk.
There are demonstrations of cooking and medicine. The interpreters do a good job of helping you understand not only what was being done but why. The medical demonstration included a great explanation for the use of bleeding as a healing technique for people with a fever.
The cooking exhibit showed how an effective camp kitchen could be created for multiple units. Each tent group would designate a cook for the day. A kitchen could be created with slots for each unit. The kitchen provided shelter from the wind, enabled a variety of cooking approaches, and minimized the risk of setting tents on fire.
In a large amphitheater, a presentation is given daily on revolutionary army weapons. You’ll get to learn how to load and fire a musket and a canon. Be ready for the dramatic boom.
Dining at the American Revolution Museum
There is a cafe at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. You can choose to build your own sandwich on a variety of breads, enjoy Brunswick Stew, get a personal size pizza, or choose from a variety of sandwiches like PB&J or Grilled Cheese. During the Summer, the cafe is open from 10:00-4:00.
Visiting the American Revolution Museum With Your Dog
Only service animals are allowed. You may want to find a cool spot for your dog to enjoy the day since there aren’t accommodations for them here.
American Revolution Museum Tickets
Admission to the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown is $15 for adults and $7.50 for youth aged 6-12. Children under 6 are free.
A combination ticket that includes Jamestown Settlement and The American Revolution Museum is $26.00 for adults and $12.50 for youth aged 6-12.
I recommend visiting both the historic and interpretive sites. You can get a Jamestown and Yorktown Four-Site Value Ticket for $46 for adults, $30 for youth ages 13-15, and $16.50 for you ages 6-12. This ticket will provide seven days of admission to Jamestown Settlement, Historic Jamestown, Yorktown Battlefield, and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. I used this ticket and found it to be a convenient way to visit the four great attractions.
Parking at The American Revolution Museum
There is no charge for parking. There is a large parking lot that also has some longer spaces where a smaller RV could park.
The Yorktown Trolley offers a free shuttle to several Yorktown VA sites. You might find this to be a convenient option. Note that the trolley stops running most days at 5:00.
Campgrounds Near The American Revolution Museum
If you are visiting The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown in your RV, there are some great nearby camping options. The following are good options if your plans include the American Revolution Museum.
Machicomoco State Park
Virginia’s newest State Park, Machicomoco, is located in Gloucester, VA. There are 14 RV campsites, 13 tent sites, and 3 yurts. Machicomoco State Park is located about six miles past the Coleman Bridge and is the closest campground to the Yorktown attractions. Note that you’ll have to cross the Coleman Bridge which has a toll; $2 for cars and $4 if you are towing a camper. The toll is only charged only when crossing Northbound.
Jellystone Park Gloucester Point
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Gloucester Point is a waterfront campground approximately 7.5 miles from The American Revolution Museum. There are over 200 sites ranging from tent sites to deluxe pull through with 50 AMP service. This campground offers many family-oriented activities. Note that you’ll have to cross the Coleman Bridge which has a toll; $2 for cars and $4 if you are towing a camper. The toll is only charged only when crossing Northbound.
Newport News Park
At over 8,000 acres, Newport News Park is among the nations largest municipal parks. It is located about 7.5 miles from The American Revolution Museum. The Newport News Park Campground offers 188 campsites in a wooded setting. At $36.00 per night for a water & electric site, this is definitely a good value option for the area. In addition to a great natural campground setting, you have access to hiking and biking trails, a nature center, an archery range, and canoeing & fishing on Lee Hall Reservoir.
Williamsburg KOA
Williamsburg/Busch Gardens Area KOA is located approximately 20 miles from The American Revolution Museum. the Williamsburg KOA has 370 sites divided into two sections. There is a lot to do at this KOA including a nice heated swimming pool, bounce pillows, and plenty of planned activities. Pull through sites with 50 AMP service are available.
Attractions Near The American Revolution Museum
There is a lot to do in the Williamsburg area. The American Revolution Museum is one of our top picks. You might also enjoy visiting Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Check out our list of the Top 7 Must do Williamsburg VA Area Attractions.
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