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Visit Historic Yorktown Virginia - Part
of the Historic Triangle
Yorktown History
 No trip through Colonial history is complete without a visit to
Yorktown, the historic settlement that altered the course of the
American Revolution. Once you have walked the abandoned streets
of Jamestown and relived the heady
pre-revolutionary days of
Colonial Williamsburg, it's time to revisit one of the most
important moments in the American colonists' fight against
British rule. The battle at Yorktown and subsequent victory
effectively ended the war and gave the colonists what they had
long yearned for - Independence.
History
Yorktown was established in 1691, and by the early 1700s, had
emerged as a major tobacco port and economic center in Virginia.
At the peak of its success, Yorktown consisted of 2000
residents, a bustling wharf with docks and storehouses, a Main
Street that sat atop a bluff and was lined with stately homes,
as well as several taverns and shops that were scattered
throughout the town. All told, approximately 250 to 300
buildings made up Yorktown proper in 1750.
In 1781, as the American Revolution entered its sixth long year,
the British General Lord Charles Cornwallis brought his troops
to Yorktown. He had aggressively pursued the Colonist armies,
sure of a British victory, but recent Patriot victories at
King's Mountain and Cowpens had sapped his reserves. He
entrenched at Yorktown and began fortifying Yorktown and
Gloucester Point, located across the York River. Nearby, a
combined contingent of French and colonist troops watched
Cornwallis's movements and carefully planned their attack.
On August 30, 1781, a hastily assembled, yet formidable, French
fleet under the command of Admiral Francois De Grasse blockaded
the Chesapeake Bay and the York River. An additional 9 ships
under the command of Admiral de Barras were racing to join him.
On land, General George Washington began moving his allied
American and French forces from New York to Virginia. By the end
of September, 17,800 troops surrounded Cornwallis's 8,300.
Cornwallis could neither escape nor receive reinforcements. The
siege on Yorktown began, ending in Cornwallis's surrender on
October 19, 1781. This major victory for the Colonists resulted
in the British Prime Minister proclaiming that it was all over.
And it was. Only a few minor skirmishes occurred thereafter and
the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 formally recognizing the
United States as an independent country.
Yorktown Today
 Like the many brave men and women who gave up their lives to
fight for independence, the stately homes and businesses of
Yorktown were also sacrificed during that last decisive battle.
By the end of the Revolution, just 70 buildings and less than
700 residents remained in Yorktown. Then a fire in 1814
destroyed even more homes as well as the entire waterfront
district. And, in 1862, Yorktown was the site of yet another
siege during the Civil War. Many more homes were destroyed
during this battle and subsequent Union occupation. Yorktown
never again achieved the prominence it enjoyed prior to the
Revolutionary War.
Thankfully, despite all this, several well-preserved buildings
from Yorktown's past remain and give the town a decidedly
Colonial atmosphere. It's a wonderful place to spend the day,
with historic buildings available to tour, as well as shops and
museums to visit.
Begin your visit at the National Park Service Visitor's Center,
and sign up for a walking tour of the Main Street and once
bustling wharf area. Then take a tour of some of the buildings
you saw along the way. One of the most popular is the 1711
Georgian manor home of Thomas Nelson Jr., a signer of the
Declaration of Independence and the first commander of the
Virginia militia. Informal tours of the home are offered
throughout the year. Another popular destination is the Moore
house, where the terms of Cornwallis's surrender were
negotiated. The home has been restored and refurnished to an
18th century appearance and offers tours throughout the spring,
summer and fall.
Within walking distance of the buildings owned by the National
Park Service, are two museums. One is the Waterman's Museum and
the other is the Yorktown Victory Center and Museum. The museum
offers an Indoor exhibit that tells the story of the Revolution
through the lives of 10 ordinary men and women who lived during
that time. Outside, you can visit a recreated Continental army
encampment as well as a recreated 1790 farm. There are costumed
interpreters and visitors can participate in hands-on
activities.
And, finally, visit
Yorktown Battlefield, either on your own or
with a Park ranger. Walking tours take you along the siege line
and Rangers give an artillery demonstration that highlights the
decisive 1781 siege at Yorktown. There is also a very good
driving tour. You can pick up a CD at the Visitor's Center. The
driving tour comes with a map and directs you where and when to
stop, explains what you are seeing, and uses a theatrical
narrative to keep the tour entertaining for all ages.While in
Yorktown, visit the
Yorktown
Pub!
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