Colonial Williamsburg Opens New Archaeology Center

The 35,000-square-foot facility will offer public insights into artifact discovery and analysis.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 5:49pm

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An abstract, impressionistic scene of archaeologists examining artifacts in a dimly lit laboratory, with soft, warm pools of light creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.The new Campbell Archaeology Center at Colonial Williamsburg will offer visitors an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the meticulous process of uncovering and studying artifacts from the historic site.Williamsburg Today

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is opening a new archaeological center on April 25 that will allow visitors to observe archaeologists at work and follow the process of excavation, analysis, and interpretation of artifacts from the historic site. The 35,000-square-foot Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center will house collections, research labs, and educational spaces dedicated to showcasing the foundation's extensive archaeological discoveries over more than a century.

Why it matters

The new archaeology center represents an opportunity for the public to gain a deeper understanding of the rigorous scientific process behind uncovering and studying artifacts that shed light on early American life. As one of the premier living history museums in the country, Colonial Williamsburg is uniquely positioned to offer this immersive, behind-the-scenes look at archaeology.

The details

The Campbell Archaeology Center will allow visitors to follow the full archaeological workflow, from excavation through analysis of the millions of artifacts in the Colonial Williamsburg collection. The facility will include research labs, storage spaces for the collections, and educational areas where the public can observe archaeologists at work.

  • The new archaeology center is scheduled to open on April 25, 2026.
  • Colonial Williamsburg has been conducting excavations in the historic area for over a century.

The players

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

The nonprofit organization that operates the Colonial Williamsburg living history museum and historic area in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell

The donors who provided funding for the new 35,000-square-foot archaeology center.

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What’s next

The Campbell Archaeology Center will open to the public on April 25, 2026, offering guided tours and educational programming.

The takeaway

The new archaeology center at Colonial Williamsburg represents an exciting opportunity for the public to gain a deeper appreciation for the rigorous scientific work behind uncovering and interpreting the material culture of early America.