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Colonial manor house and Captain John Smith’s 1609 fort site
The John Marshall House

Admission Details

Interior tours are available March-December each year.

Thursday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (June, July, August)
Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Preservation Virginia Members: Free
General Admission: $15
AAA, Senior (60+), Military Discount: $12
Students: $10
Children (Under 6): Free

Schedule Tour
Purchase a membership today for free admission to all six historic sites and more!

About the House

Smith’s Fort is the site of Captain John Smith’s proposed “New Fort” and is located directly across the James River from Jamestown. The site still has earthworks that mark the spot of the unfinished fort site partially completed in 1609 before being abandoned.

The manor house on the property was built for Jacob Faulcon c.1765 and retains much of its original pine woodwork.

In 1886, the property, then called Gray’s Creek Farm, was purchased by a collective group of African American families including Bolling Morris, John and Carter Hardy and Robertson Simmons. By the 1920s, Mr. Morris was the sole owner and he eventually sold it via an agent to the Williamsburg Holding Company. The property was acquired by Preservation Virginia in 1933, who restored it and has operated as a museum ever since.

Plan Your Visit

Guided Interior Tours

Ticketed, 45 minute guided tours of the house are available during operating hours. Group tours and private tours are available seven days a week year-round, contact us for additional information. 

Exterior & Nature Trail Self-Guided Cell Phone Tour

Receive an informative site map and explore the grounds following a numbered path. Use your personal cell phone to hear about the site’s history and architecture. Walk the 1/2 mile path to the 1609 fort site. 

For the Spanish translation audio tour, click here.

Amenities

Children 15 years old or younger must be accompanied by an adult at all times. You can hop on the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry for free to visit Preservation Virginia’s Historic Jamestowne or take a short car ride to Bacon’s Castle.

Key Visitor Information

Parking and Arrival

Ample onsite parking is available. For special accessibility requests, contact us in advance.
VisitAble Advocate Certification

Get in Touch

For information on pricing and availability contact us at:
Schedule Tour
Membership

Events at Smith’s Fort

All Events
Voices Remembered

African American History at Smith’s Fort

African American History at Smith’s Fort and Gray’ Creek Farm is rich and spans 400 years. Through community led research we are uncovering more about Black history through multiple periods of occupation. 

Learn More

Smith’s Fort at Gray’s Creek Farm Stories

Secret Link