WILLIAMSBURG, Va.--In the year leading to "America’s 400th Anniversary," Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center, two living-history museums operated by the state’s Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, drew increasing numbers of visitors. 2006 total paid visitation of 705,290 was 17.7 percent more than in 2005. Admission sales increased by 19.3 percent, to $5,078,843.
Paid visitation at Jamestown Settlement in 2006 was 501,799, an increase of 16.3 percent over 2005. Paid visitation at the Yorktown Victory Center grew by 21.4 percent, to 203,491.
The largest gains were in the individual visitor segment. Individual ticket sales accounted for 65 percent of total paid visitation at the two museums, compared to 62 percent in 2005, and group sales comprised 35 percent.
"We attribute this impressive and welcome growth in visitation to many factors," said Senior Director of Marketing and Retail Operations Susan Bak, "including the effective Williamsburg area destination marketing campaign, increased success of multi-attraction cooperative programs, and continuing expansion of the American Automobile Association market segment."
In addition to paid visitation, there were a total of 67,371 complimentary admissions – 21.7 percent more than in 2005 – at the two museums in 2006, including residents of the City of Williamsburg and James City and York counties, children under 6, group escorts and promotional admissions.
Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Victory Center are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 15 through August 15. A combination ticket for both museums is $17.75 for adults, $8.50 for children ages 6-12. Jamestown Settlement admission is $13.50 for adults, $6.25 for ages 6 through 12. Yorktown Victory Center admission is $8.75 for adults, $4.50 for ages 6 through 12. An annual pass also is available, and museum admission tickets are included in several Williamsburg area joint tickets and vacation packages. A separate admission ticket is required for Jamestown Settlement and special transportation arrangements apply during "America’s Anniversary Weekend," May 11-13.
Jamestown Settlement is located on State Route 31 just southwest of Williamsburg. The Yorktown Victory Center is on Route 1020 in Yorktown. For more information, call (888) 593-4682 toll-free or (757) 253-4838 or visit www.historyisfun.org.
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Media contact: Debby Padgett, (757) 253-4175
