About Us

The recreated 1611 Citie of Henricus, an outdoor living history museum with 12 recreated colonial structures, demonstrates history through “hands-on” encounters with period dressed historical interpreters. Visitors interact with interpreters during which time visitors may be asked to assist with cooking, blacksmithing, planting or harvesting. Visitors may even be asked to join the Militia!

This new English settlement would be called “The Commonwealth of Henrico” or “Henricus” in honor of the eldest son of King James I, Prince Henry. The recreated English settlement represents various military, trades, and farming elements of Henricus during the early colonial period from 1611-1622.

Henricus Historical Park also interprets the culture of the Arrohateck people of the Powhatan Indian chiefdom at the time of contact with the English colonists who arrived in September 1611 under the leadership of Sir Thomas Dale.  In the Indian village, the visitor may see the crafting of a canoe, or the cultivation of corn and tobacco on the approach to the fortified Powhatan Indian village where visitors may then enter several Indian dwellings known as “long-houses” or “yehakins”. The village illustrates the daily life of the local Indians and demonstrates how these people thrived at the time of contact with the English. 

Be ready for an exciting and provocative experience in living history!

Henricus Historical Park • 251 Henricus Park Road • Chester, VA 23836
(804) 748-1613 • Email us: henricus1611@aol.com •  Media Coordinator, Chris Duball 318-8726