Special exhibition at Jamestown Settlement heading into final weeks

"The 17th Century: Gateway to the Modern World" at Jamestown Settlement will come to a close Wednesday, Aug. 15.

The exhibition features 65 artifacts from European, Asian, African and American cultures exploring developments that set in motion the transition from the old world of the Mediterranean to a new globally connected world.

Additionally, the "Pastimes of Colonial Virginia" theme month at Jamestown Settlement and Yorktown Victory Center features games and activities from the 17th and 18th centuries. It runs Aug. 1 to Aug. 31.

At Jamestown Settlement, guests will have the chance to to ride a wooden hobby horse, roll a hoop with a stick, play ninepins and test their aim by pitching corncob darts. Guests will also have the chance to learn how early settlers used backgammon, cards and wooden dice to entertain themselves while they traveled to Virginia. Activities will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.

The Yorktown Victory Center, a museum of the American Revolution, will teach guests about the board games soldiers played such as Nine Men's Morris, cards and dice. Whirligigs, ball-and-cups and hoops will be on hand for guests to try. Guests will also have the chance to learn the African game mancala.

The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Wednesday, Aug. 15. After that date, the museum will resume its normal hours, which are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

Admission to both museums is free for residents of James City County, York County and Williamsburg. For others, tickets are $20 for adults and $20 for children ages 6 to 12 for both museums. Admission to the Jamestown Settlement is $15.50 for adults and $7.25 for children ages 6 to 12. Tickets to the Yorktown Victory Center are $8.75 for adults and $5.50 for children ages 6 to 12.

The Jamestown Settlement is located on Route 31 in Williamsburg, and the Yorktown Victory Center is located on Route 1020 in Yorktown.

For more information, call 757-253-4838 or visit historyisfun.org.

Filed under: ENTERTAINMENT