Henricus was originally established as the site for a college for the education of Virginia Indian and English children.
The settlement was effectively destroyed during the Powhatan Uprising of 1622.
Archaeological excavations at the site have uncovered evidence of the original 1611 colonial fortifications.
The park is located within the Dutch Gap Conservation Area.
The settlement was named after Henry, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I.
Pocahontas was a frequent visitor to the Henricus area before her marriage to John Rolfe.
The apothecary exhibit showcases 17th-century herbal medicine and colonial medical practices.
The reconstruction focuses on accuracy, utilizing techniques and materials common to the Jacobean era.
Henricus Historical Park is a living history museum situated on the site of the 1611 Citie of Henricus, the second successful English settlement in the New World. The park features a reconstructed 17th-century colonial village, including a church, an apothecary, and various residential dwellings. Interpreters in period-appropriate attire demonstrate colonial skills such as blacksmithing, cooking, and agriculture. The site overlooks the James River and commemorates the historic interaction between English settlers and the Powhatan Indian people. Educational programming covers the founding of the settlement by Sir Thomas Dale. Visitors can explore the grounds, which are maintained to reflect the landscape of the early 17th-century Virginia colony. The park serves as both an archaeological research site and a public educational facility.
The view of the James River from the reconstructed church or the village gatehouse.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the village paths are unpaved and uneven.
Check the event calendar for scheduled craft demonstrations or reenactments that change seasonally.
Bring water and insect repellent, especially during the humid summer months.
Do not wander off the marked visitor trails into the restricted archaeological research zones.
Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays year-round; may close occasionally for private events or extreme weather.
Respect the historic buildings and refrain from touching artifacts on display in the interiors; do not interrupt the historical interpreters while they are engaged in period demonstrations.
