Colonial National Historical Park - Visitor Etiquette (U.S. National Park Service)

On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the "Organic Act" establishing the National Park Service "...which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." Providing for the enjoyment while also preserving and protecting Historic Jamestowne is a delicate balance. You can help us accomplish this balance by following a few simple DO's and DONT's. Teachers and chaperons should be aware of these rules and remind their students of what constitutes appropriate behavior within the park. These rules will help make your visit safer and more enjoyable, as well as protecting this hallowed site. The park staff thanks you in advance for your cooperation.

Remember, you and your students are the ambassadors of your school.

PLEASE FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE RULES:

Children walking on the brick foundations of Jamestown displayed as a stop sign

Stop sign of children walking on the brick foundations

DO: Enjoy your visit, tour the archeological site of Historic Jamestowne and battlefield at Yorktown at your own pace. Please walk only on the pathways.
DON'T: Run through the site, stray from the pathways, walk on the walls, run up and down the earthworks or on the brick foundations.

DO: Remember that other visitors are trying to enjoy the Visitor Center, museum, exhibits and gift shop. Our Visitor Center Museum should be treated like a library (noise should be kept to a minimum).
DON'T: Allow your students to carry-on loud conversations within the Visitor Center, museum and theather or run through the exhibits or gift shop un-chaperoned.

DO: Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Island or Battlefield at the appropriate locations. Picnicking is permitted at the picnic tables located in the parking lots at Historic Jamestowne and Yorktown. Picnicking is also allowed at the Beach Picnic area at Yorktown. Jamestown and Yorktown are "leave no trace" trash free area's, so PLEASE take your trash with you when finished eating.
DON'T: Picnic on the archeological site, battlefield proper, earthworks, historic ruins or visitor center patio. Don't leave your litter on the ground.

DO: Enjoy watching the various wildlife and observing the many natural resources and enchanting scenery. Remember the Park Service is tasked to protect and preserve the wildlife and scenery. Removal of any object from the park is a violation of federal law.
DON'T: Pick the flowers or plants, remove any object from the park; harass, taut, chase or throw rocks, twigs or oyster shells at any of the wildlife or fellow visitors.