In October of 1781, the world was literally turned upside down, as the Continental
Army under the leadership of General George Washington, Comte de Rochambeau and
the Marquis de Lafayette, with the aid of the French Fleet commanded by Admiral
Comte de Grasse, defeated Lord Cornwallis and the British army to secure Americas
independence from England. Once an important tobacco port in the 17th and 18th
centuries, the now sleepy village of Yorktown like a mystical Brigadoon, comes
to life every 25 years during the milestone anniversaries of the British surrender.
During the 200th Anniversary in 1981, hundreds of thousands of visitors came to
Yorktown for the four days of celebrations. Among the dignitaries and speakers
present were then Presidents Ronald Reagan, François Mitterrrand of France
and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Thousands of re-enactors representing
both armies recreated the battle scenes as they happened, from the sieges of the
redoubts to the poignant laying down of arms at Surrender Field. Hot air balloons,
Presidential helicopters, Air Force and Naval flyovers ruled the skies. Naval
ships from around the world dropped anchor off the shores of the village. Living
history demonstrations, parades, concerts and speeches gave way to evening fireworks,
the celebration was a truly festive and memorable occasion. Just in time for the
225th Celebration of Freedom, the village of Yorktown has opened a new riverfront
shopping district with quaint shops, fine restaurants and an inviting waterside
promenade, all within walking distance of the village center, Yorktown Victory
Center, Yorktown Battlefield and National Park Service Visitor Center. Even though
Yorktown and history buffs celebrate the surrender during the week October 19th
each year, the milestone anniversaries bring in guests from all over the country
and the world to honor the day. Plans are being made for a wonderful party and
it is time visitors made plans too. Only fifteen miles east of Williamsburg via
the beautiful Colonial Parkway, the Williamsburg hotels and resorts offer the
most convenient accommodation access to Yorktown and will be soon taking reservations
in advance of this prestigious event. On
the northeast end of the Colonial Parkway lies Yorktown, a sleepy little Brigadoon
that awakens each year on the 19th of October for Yorktown Day.It was here
on October 19,1781 that freedom was won after a long series of battles that started
with a "war of words and ideas" in Williamsburg's House of Burgesses.
Yorktown started as a tobacco port in the mid 17th century. Its deep water
channel and sheltered harbor was ideal for warehousing and loading tobacco and
other colonial commodities.
This deep water access also brought the British Lord Cornwallis, pursued
by Lafayette and his smaller army of Americans, to the tiny village. Cornwallis
was hoping to make contact with the British Fleet, which was being sent from New
York with supplies for his army. General Washington and French General
Rochambeau saw an opportunity to make a combined naval and land battle using
the French Fleet, which was sailing northward toward the Chesapeake Bay. Washington
hastily moved the bulk of the American and French troops from New York to Yorktown
and they laid siege to the village. The French Fleet stopped the British ships
outside the mouth of the bay and prevented them from getting near enough to Yorktown
to assist Cornwallis. On October 19, 1781, the British acknowledged their
plight and surrendered at Surrender Field, just south of town.
The County of York is a fast-growing community that prides itself for its love
of history. Today the county is home for many scientists and researchers working
for NASA and Jefferson Laboratories—citizens as forward-thinking today as
were the revolutionaries of the past. Much of the village of Yorktown is now privately
owned, but its character has changed little since its colonial days. Many original
structures in and around Yorktown proper still remain and have been restored and
maintained by the Colonial National Historical Park (National Park Service).Examples
include the Augustine Moore House—a modest home overlooking the York
River where the surrender was negotiated—and the more stately Thomas Nelson
House, which was the home of a then General of the Virginia Militia, future
Governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence. When
asked, Thomas Nelson directed cannon fire toward his home because he knew Cornwallis
was staying there. Some of the cannon balls can still be seen embedded in its
brick walls. Also worth visiting are the Victory Monument, which was authorized
by the Continental Congress just 10 days after the victory, and Grace Episcopal
Church, one of the oldest churches and cemeteries in America.
Introduction to the Yorktown Battlefield
(also administered by the National Park Service) begins at the Visitor Center
where the original battle plans for both land and sea are presented through a
series of exhibits. A short film is followed by an exhibit of many artifacts.
A tour through miles of deep woods, fields, hills, lakes and earthworks to sites
of encampments, redoubts, caves and Surrender Field can be made by car
or bike. Only serious hikers should try walking the entire area. The park service
now charges a fee at the Yorktown Battlefield of $4.00 per person 17
and older, (Golden Eagle passes are honored). The tour is fascinating. (757)
898-2410
The Yorktown Victory Center
was built by the Commonwealth of Virginia for the Bicentennial in 1976. Outdoor
Living-History exhibits show how the inhabitants of the area lived at the time
of the Revolution and there are re-enactors who show how the soldiers fared as
well. Galleries inside the Museum focus on the reasons for the Revolution as well
as the Revolution itself. The Road to Revolution gallery describes the
events leading up to the decisions to break from England. Witness to Revolution
gallery introduces you to ten individuals who, through their writings, tell what
they experienced during the war. Converging on Yorktown gallery describes
the Battle and Surrender at Yorktown and continues with a film about those same
events. Most popular with museum visitors are Yorktown's Sunken Fleet,
about the Cornwallis ship excavations in the York River, and A Children's Kaleidoscope,
a hands-on exhibit for children.
Admission is $8.25 for adults and
$4.00 for children (6-12) Combination Pass (Both Jamestown Settlement &
Yorktown Victory Center) $16.00 for adults and $7.75 for children (6-12) (757)
887-1776
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