Harry recognized that I was really interested in the subject matter at this museum and was nice enough to tell me to take my time. He said that he could entertain himself (if he has an internet connection that is never an issue). As it turned out that we both found the exhibits informative and fun.
This was the second new museum dedicated to the American Revolutionary War we have visited on this trip! Just in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2025.
The traditional printed/illustrated exhibits were interesting, appealing to readers...
Then, there were many other exhibit types as shown below:
The Battle of Great Bridge was a victory by the Virginia Militia that lead to the departure of the British from the south during the early days of the war.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. Immediately printers went into action to spread the word throughout the colonies.
There was a very attractive exhibit depicting how three different classes of people lived in the Colonies.
In the new technology department, holograph-like displays presented full sized images of those that participated in the war. In reality, these were video images projected on semi-transparent surfaces giving the illusion of a figure floating in space.
Sometimes interactive displays are not as useful as the creators would have hoped. Below are examples of an interactive display of all of the battles of the war. The problem is that visitors to a museum such as this one are not about to go through them one by one. There just isn't the attention span or time to do this.
But, then there are some exhibits that are just very attractive, including ones that have particular self-interest, including Marsha and the Battle of Lexington (& Concord).
One spectacular exhibit was a full sights, sounds and motion of the battles. This is about as close to Disney as you can be, and it was fun.
See it for yourself:
The Siege of Yorktown
We especially like the life-sized video panels with re-enactors depicting the historical individuals telling their stories in their own words.
Visualize yourself standing in front of General Daniel Morgan talk about his strategies at the Battle of Cowpens in South Carolina in January of 1781. Then hear the differing version from Lt. Col Banastre Tarleton. Although not the just mentioned participants, here is an example of these vertical video panels in action:
One entire aspect of the two museums we have visited at Jamestown and Yorktown are the outside exhibits. In the all seasons but the Winter, they are probably the main attraction for families with kids. In the Winter, the Museum is more interesting and comfortable.
On the way to lunch after visiting this museum we engaged in an exercise to rank the museums we have visited in the last seven days. It wasn’t easy but the two with “American Revolution” in their titles won out - the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Why?
- They are both less than two years old (both opened in 2017).
- They both had more than adequate private and corporate funding.
- They both incorporated the latest in technology into their exhibits.
- They both have multiple audio/visual presentations.
- They both have a good mix and variety of exhibits.
Lunch was at the Country Grill and Smokehouse on the outskirts of Yorktown. This strip mall restaurant was listed as #l (near us) on Trip advisor. All the meats were smoked on site and all the sides and sauces were made from scratch. Delish! We are having our leftovers for dinner as we watch the Patriots/Chiefs battle it out for the AFC championship.
Great game! Why is it always a nail biter? All is good in Patriot’s Nation.