UPDATE: The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the state agency that operates Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown museums, will now temporarily close the museums to the public March 14-29.

Out of an abundance of caution to manage the risks posed by COVID-19, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation museums will join museums throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia in closing for a two-week period.

“The well-being of our visitors, employees and volunteers remains our highest priority,” a press release from the Foundation stated.

The Foundation continues to follow guidance of Virginia Governor’s Office, as well as the National Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Virginia Health Department and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Staff are working in concert with emergency managers from James City County, the city of Williamsburg, other state agencies and tourism partners.

For information about impacts at the museums, updated information will be posted on www.historyisfun.org/update.

Earlier: The Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the state agency that operates Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown museums, is working to manage the risks posed by the coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a press release sent Friday afternoon.

In an effort to prevent and control the potential spread of coronavirus in large public gatherings, and following Gov. Ralph Northam’s declaration of a state of emergency in Virginia on Thursday, the following major events and programs have been canceled:

• Military Through the Ages, March 21-22, at Jamestown Settlement
• Lecture by Dr. Kacy Tillman, March 26, at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• Community Briefings, March 25, March 26 and March 31, at Jamestown Settlement
• “Department of the Geographer School of Instruction” Symposium, March 28-29 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
• “The Tempest,” April 7-11, at Jamestown Settlement

“The well-being of our visitors, employees and volunteers remains our highest priority,” Christy S. Coleman, Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation executive director, stated in the press release. “We regret having to cancel these programs and events, but we value the health and safety of everyone who walks through our doors.”

Any decision to reschedule these programs and events will be made at a later date.

Proactive steps have been taken at both museums to increase efforts to disinfect high-touch areas including surfaces, doorknobs and stairwells, in the exhibition galleries and outdoor living-history areas. Hand-sanitizing stations have been made available in select areas of the museums to supplement hand washing.

The museums remain open, however, that could change at any time. The Foundation will continue to assess future events and programs, following guidance of the National Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, the Virginia Health Department and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. Staff are working in concert with emergency managers from James City County, the City of Williamsburg, other state agencies and tourism partners.

For information about impacts at the museums, updated information will be posted on historyisfun.org/update.

Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are open daily, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information on the museums, call (757) 253-4838 or historyisfun.org.