Step back in time with The Burning of Jamestown, an immersive walking tour that brings the dramatic events of 1676 to life.
Exactly one hundred years before the Declaration of Independence, a group of rebels marched on Virginia’s capital. It burned it to the ground in an attempt to depose a government they viewed as unjust and elitist. Though the uprising ended after the death of its charismatic leader, Nathaniel Bacon, its consequences reshaped Virginia society, deepening reliance on enslaved labor, intensifying conflict with Indigenous communities, and influencing political tensions that would echo into the American Revolution and beyond.
Led by merchant and planter Thomas Mathew, the historical figure on whose land the rebellion first took shape, this guided walking tour invites visitors to experience the story of Bacon’s Rebellion from the perspective of those who witnessed its unfolding. Through storytelling and site-based interpretation, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the rebellion’s causes, consequences, and lasting legacy. This program is included with a general admission ticket to Historic Jamestowne.
This event is made possible in part by a Virginia Humanities grant.
