Three cultural institutions feature Jamestown in their interpretation: The Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities (APVA), the Colonial National Historical Park (NPS), and the Jamestown Settlement (Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, Commonwealth of Virginia).

The APVA, a non-profit organization, is the oldest statewide preservation organization in the country. It was founded in 1889 by a group of dedicated volunteers with a primary objective of saving Jamestown Island from being washed away by the James River. In 1893, it received 22.5 acres of the Island, including the 1639 Church Tower, through a deed of gift from Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barney, owners of the Island. With federal assistance, construction of a seawall began at the turn of the century. By 1900 excavations of the church area and later the site of the Third and Fourth Statehouses began. In 1934, the NPS received the remaining acres of the Island as part of its Colonial National Historical Park. Today, Jamestown is jointly operated by the APVA and the NPS.

The APVA owns the area known as "Old Towne," which contains the 1639 Church Tower and the site of the Third and Fourth Statehouses. This is also the location of the first fort, found through the archaeological research project known as Jamestown Rediscovery. Programs on site include guided tours of the Church Tower and interpreters at the archaeological site and laboratory. The archaeological laboratory is a working research facility with exhibition space. Outdoor interpretive signs that highlight the history of the site and the area.

The NPS owns the area into which settlement expanded during the 17th century, known as "New Towne." Through the use of passive interpretation (recorded tours and text panels), the NPS interprets the town which grew from the original fort site. Park rangers also give daily tours of NPS and APVA property to explain the development of the colony during its early years. The NPS operates a visitor center that features a gallery displaying original artifacts found on the Island (the APVA and the NPS maintain separate collections, but the APVA lends its objects for this exhibition). An interpretive film is shown daily to give visitors background concerning the site and history of the first settlement. Living history tours are offered seasonally. Glassblowers reproduce 17th-century glassware in a recreation of the glasshouse of 1608. A three- or five-mile loop road drive encompasses the remainder of the Island.

Jamestown Settlement, located off Route 31 on the mainland, was founded in 1957. It is a state-run facility featuring full-sized replicas of the three ships that arrived in 1607, a recreation of "James Fort," and a recreated Indian village. Costumed interpreters depict life in the founding years of the colony. In its exhibition galleries, life in Virginia prior to the landing of the English and during the first years of settlement is explored through the use of artifacts from sites similar in age to Jamestown. The galleries also interpret life in England, navigation, and the development of the Virginia colony in the 17th century. They have a separate admission of $10.75 for adults and $5.25 for children. A combination ticket with the Yorktown Victory Center is available.