Military through the Ages – centuries of military history – all in one weekend at the Jamestown Settlement – March 18 – 19, 2023
Make ready for centuries of military history – all in one weekend –Romans, Vikings, knights. Privateers, sailors, soldiers. patriotic music and artillery salutes – during Jamestown Settlement’s time-honored Military Through the Ages event on Saturday and Sunday, March 18-19.
Bring the family to see hundreds of re-enactors depicting armed forces from 500 B.C.E. all the way to modern-day soldiers with the Virginia Army National Guard.
As one of the most unique chronological displays of military history, you will explore military encampments and interact with re-enactors to learn how uniforms, weapons and tactics evolved through the centuries.
Military through the Ages Schedule of Events:
| Saturday, March 18 | |
| All Day | Ongoing demonstrations in each unit campsite |
| All Day | Unit re-enactments on the demonstration field |
| 11 a.m. | Performance by Ladies of Liberty – Music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies of Liberty reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies of Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Federal City Brass Band, re-creating a Union Army regimental brass band from the 1860s with period instruments, and Field Musick Virginia, offering a mix of American Revolution military music and instrumental history, will present roaming performances during the two-day event. |
| 12 p.m. | Comparative artillery firing demonstration (weather permitting) -Comparative artillery-firing demonstrations will be presented at noon Saturday and Sunday, with weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer. A military pass-in-review will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday and will feature recognition of the Best Unit Impression. |
| 2:30 p.m. | Performance by Ladies of Liberty – Music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies of Liberty reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies of Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Federal City Brass Band, re-creating a Union Army regimental brass band from the 1860s with period instruments, and Field Musick Virginia, offering a mix of American Revolution military music and instrumental history, will present roaming performances during the two-day event. |
| Sunday, March 19 | |
| 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Ongoing demonstrations in each unit campsite |
| 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. | Unit re-enactments on the demonstration field |
| 11 a.m. | Performance by Ladies of Liberty – Music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies of Liberty reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies of Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Federal City Brass Band, re-creating a Union Army regimental brass band from the 1860s with period instruments, and Field Musick Virginia, offering a mix of American Revolution military music and instrumental history, will present roaming performances during the two-day event. |
| 12 p.m. | Comparative artillery firing demonstration (weather permitting) -Comparative artillery-firing demonstrations will be presented at noon Saturday and Sunday, with weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer. A military pass-in-review will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday and will feature recognition of the Best Unit Impression. |
| 1:30 p.m. | Performance by Ladies of Liberty – Music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies of Liberty reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies of Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Federal City Brass Band, re-creating a Union Army regimental brass band from the 1860s with period instruments, and Field Musick Virginia, offering a mix of American Revolution military music and instrumental history, will present roaming performances during the two-day event. |
| 3 p.m. | Unit Parade and Pass-in-Review Tower (weather permitting) |
Timeline from 500 B.C.E. to the Virginia Army National Guard
Nearly 600 re-enactors will portray soldiers and military encounters across the globe from Greek and Roman times, the medieval period, Hundred Years’ War, War of the Roses, American Revolution, War of 1812, Napoleonic Wars, and American Civil War. Re-enactors depicting World Wars I and II, the Vietnam War, and Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada will take visitors through the 20th century. The National Museum of the Marine Corps and the Virginia Army National Guard 111th Field Artillery will represent the present day. View the list of 2023 Military Through the Ages units.Virginia Army National Guard fires a 105mm howitzer.
Photo by Bob Ruegsegger
Patriotic musical performances
Music will be performed throughout the weekend, featuring the boogie-woogie sounds of the Ladies of Liberty reminiscent of the World War II era. Ladies of Liberty is scheduled to perform at 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Sunday. The Federal City Brass Band, re-creating a Union Army regimental brass band from the 1860s with period instruments, and Field Musick Virginia, offering a mix of American Revolution military music and instrumental history, will present roaming performances during the two-day event.
The Ladies of Liberty will perform at the 2023 Military Through the Ages event.
Photo by Bob Ruegsegger
Artillery & military pass-in-review
Comparative artillery-firing demonstrations will be presented at noon Saturday and Sunday, with weapons ranging from a 17th-century swivel gun to a modern-day howitzer. A military pass-in-review will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday and will feature recognition of the Best Unit Impression.
TICKETS:
If you are a local resident you may get into the museum for free (visit here to see if you live in a qualifying zip code) or visit here for tickets to Jamestown Settlement and other great value tickets to this museum and others in the area.
