If you plan on heading down to Williamsburg this season, be sure to check out the American Revolution Museum which got a 50 million dollar makeover. We were lucky enough to attend the grand opening celebration March 23rd. As a strong advocate of learning through play, I couldn’t have picked a better location to take my two year old and four year old to learn about our country’s Revolutionary heritage. Did you know that the new museum has costumed interpreters, artillery demonstrations and even a 4-D theater that plays “The Siege of Yorktown!”? You will actually feel the wind, smell the smoke, and the boom of the cannons fire.

MUSEUM FEATURES

The American Revolution Museum is a gorgeous indoor exhibition hall that features period artifacts, dioramas, interactive exhibits and short films.

The museum now has 170-seat Theater called the “Liberty Fever” captivating audiences with an introductory film narrated by an early-19th-century storyteller who has traveled the country gathering stories about the American Revolution.

I admire how they integrated technology to provide interactive experiences. My four year old enjoyed the screen top battle board where you could play different sides of the battle and watch your strategies in play. Another favorite was shadow screen where it appeared that you were walking along side soldiers.  We were also a big fan of the interactive maps; they promoted a lot of questions about geography and how far apart familiar places are in comparison to the battle and colonies.

If it’s not glassed off then you can touch it! Kids need to play and interact with what they are learning. There were tons of puzzles and artifacts that were hands on. I think my son enjoyed the tutorial on how a gun is fired.

LIVING HISTORY FEATURES

The outdoor living-history exhibit includes a Revolution-era war encampment and farm, as well as an artillery shooting amphitheater.

My kids loved running around outdoors exploring the tents. They were fascinated by live demonstration of firing the canons. My youngest loves animals so the farm animals were well received. There were also colonial period children’s toys in the cabin that you can test out.

TIPS

  • If the weather is nice, pack a lunch and eat a picnic; it is a beautiful area with plenty of tables to eat at. There is also a café on site if you don’t want to pack a meal.
  • The indoor and outdoor exhibits are stroller friendly.
  • There is a family bathroom located inside by the bathrooms located next to the exit for the Living Exhibit.

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DON’T FORGET TO VISIT JAMESTOWN

I highly recommend buying a pass that provides access to both these historic sites! Jamestown Article click here.

INFORMATION

200 Water St.

Yorktown, Virginia

757-253-4838

www.historyisfun.org

Admission is $12; $7 ages 6-12.