Historic Yorktown Area

Yorktown played a pivotal role in solidifying the American position in its War of Independence from Great Britain. It was here that a major victory was achieved by a combined French and American force that surrounded a large British contingent that had been ordered to protect the deep water port at Yorktown. Cornwallis had methodically setup earthworks to the south and east of town and had a small group of navy ships harboured in the York River, protecting the port from naval attack from the Chesapeake Bay.

Cornwallis felt comfortable. The old seaport of Yorktown had plenty of fine quarters and dining establishments that he requisitioned without much problems. The high cliffs overlooking the river gave his artillery excellent coverage of the river. The new series of earthworks he had his men build to the south surely could defend against any assault the war-torn Americans might muster. But in less than a month, Cornwallis navy would be sunk, his escape route across the river to Gloucester Point cut off, and his defensive earthworks would be captured, becoming offensive positions that would rain down a torrential military barrage of him and his men forcing his surrender, that eventually led to a treaty between England and the newly formed United States of America.

The Yorktown historic area is divided into 3 main areas: the original battlefield and visitor center; the town of Yorktown; and a recreated colonial encampment and revolutionary-era farm at the Yorktown Visitor Center just north of the town. All 3 areas combine to give visitors an inviting area to explore and experience the details that helped end America's long struggle for independence.

The Yorktown Battlefield is LARGE, over 4,000 acres, so unless you have all the time in the world, you'll probably be driving through the battlefield. During the 1781 fight, positions constructed by the British later came under control by the Americans. Earthworks designed for defense became positions of attack.

The visitor center has a short film that gives a good over-view of the battle fought here, as well as displays including General Washington's command tent; a partial recreation of the HMS Charon, a 44-gun frigate that was set ablaze by cannon fire; and the famous Lafayette Cannon that has a distinctive dent that General Lafayette remembered seeing when he captured Redoubt #9 during the battle.

Yorktown Victory Center includes a working colonial farm with interpreters providing first-hand accounts of 17th Century life including a Revolution-Era farm that includes a house, kitchen, tobacco barn, and gardens.

Also included with admission is a small American encampment with interpreters describing various day-to-day camp activities. This also includes a live-firing of a cannon. The visitor center offers a rich Museum of the American Revolution including a reproduction of the sunken supply ship Betsy that was intensively studied at the bottom of the York River in the 1980s.

The town of Yorktown is about 14 square blocks in size and is comprised of both historic sites and private residences. There are a dozen or so buildings original to the Revolutionary War era. Nelson House (shown above) is where General Cornwallis is thought to have had his headquarters during the siege. It is operated by the National Park Service. The 18" thick wall protected the building and its content from the Continental Army's cannon fire.

Along the York River waterfront are a number of restaurants and a retail area and the Watermen's Museum. At the east end of town is the majestic Victory Monument that Congress ordered to be built after learning of the British defeat here. Although the monument was built until 100 years later, it still stands today as a memorial to the events that occurred here.

Yorktown Driving-Tour

Driving Tour An affordable companion for touring the Yorktown Battlefield is the audio recording of the Historical Tour available for purchase from the NPS Visitor Center. This is highly recommended and makes it easy to understand each of the tour stops that crisscross the battlefield.

A Self-Guided Driving Tour of the battlefield covers most of the main points and positions of the Colonial and French armies during the siege. Although much of the tour is inside the park, a number of public roads are encountered and extreme caution must be used when crossing these roads as there can be fast moving traffic that visitors might not expect to encounter.

Along the tour are numerous parking areas where you can stop and stretch legs to see the battlefield and positions that once occupied this land. Surrender Field is an especially dramatic area where the actual surrender of arms took place after the battle.

Special Visitor Offers VISITING MULTIPLE AREAS REDUCES ADMISSION COSTS

If you're a history buff, then you'll probably want to see both the Battlefield and Victory Center. Both require separate admissions. However, if you plan your visit and see Historic Jamestown and the Jamestown Settlement you can get a break on admission charges. Admission to the Yorktown Battlefield National Park will also gain you admission to Historic Jamestown as long as you visit both within a few days of each other; just keep your receipt. If you visit the Yorktown Victory Center, you'll also gain admission to the the Jamestown Settlement.