Yorktown, Virginia’s fame has long rested on its history as the place where the American Revolution ended, and victory was won.
It was here in 1781, nearly seven years into the Revolutionary War during the Siege of Yorktown, that General George Washington, French commander Comte de Rochambeau and their troops trapped the British army along the shores of the York River, leaving British General Lord Cornwallis no choice but surrender. The British defeat effectively ended the war, leading to the 1783 Treaty of Paris recognizing the United States as an independent nation.
This history comes alive at the Yorktown Battlefield, administered by the U.S. National Park Service, and at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown (both require admission fees), where the American struggle for independence is portrayed via cutting-edge technology and an outdoor recreated Continental Army encampment.
Yorktown proves good things come in small packages, as history merges with a vibrant riverfront area. A free trolley runs early spring through December. There is a sand beach, fishing pier, public piers for overnight and transient boaters, picnic areas and miles of walking trails are available. Shops, restaurants and boutiques share space with historic attractions and the waterfront, all within a tiny census-designated village of only 256 residents. Over 75 annual events in partnership with York County (pop: 70, 000) and various groups bring year-round events to the community.
According to Kristi Olsen, director of York County’s Economic & Tourism Development department, based on visitation to the Yorktown Battlefield, American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, event attendance and trolley ridership, an estimated 600-750,000 people visit tiny Yorktown annually.
Located in the Historic Triangle that includes nearby Williamsburg and Jamestown, the waterfront community was established by Virginia’s Act for Ports in 1691. In its “peak prosperity” years (1740-1770), Yorktown was an important tobacco port with 250 -300 buildings and nearly 2,000 residents. But by the end of the Revolution, less than 70 buildings remained, and the 1790 census recorded 661 residents. Additional destruction came from an 1814 fire and an 1862 Civil War siege.
Today the National Park Service oversees/owns seven buildings in the village’s historic area; some, like the c.1726 Cole Digges House (now home to Mobjack Bay Coffee Roasters and Petite Café) are leased by the NPS to private businesses. Others, like the c.1720 Custom House listed on the National Register of Historic Places and owned by the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, are privately owned.
Fifty sites are listed on Yorktown’s self-guided walking tour brochure produced by Celebrate Yorktown including the c.1935 Hornsby House; among his grandchildren is Grammy Award-winning musician Bruce Hornsby.
The Nelson House at 208 Nelson Street c. 1730 was home to Thomas Nelson, a Virginia governor, commander of the Virginia militia at the Siege of Yorktown and a signer of the Declaration of Independence. During the Civil War his house was a hospital for Confederate, and later for Union soldiers and remained in the Nelson family until 1908. It stayed in private ownership until 1968 when NPS acquired it. Most of the house is original, including the bricks and most of the mortar in the outside walls. It still bears scars from the 1781 bombardment. The house is open for informal tours of its first floors depending on staffing.
Historic Main Street sits on a high bluff overlooking the riverfront and architecture in this area is almost exclusively colonial-era. Though heavily damaged in the 1814 fire, Grace Episcopal Church, founded in 1634, was reconstructed in 1848 using original marl (ancient clay and shells) walls. The historic atmosphere coexists with the nearby modern beachfront vibe.
With free parking and clean restrooms available, the two-acre beachfront is packed in spring and summer months. Bikes, kayaks and Segways are available to rent, and people stroll along the mile-long pedestrian Riverwalk. This area is also a favorite of pet owners and dog walkers.
York River Cruises offers daily sightseeing and sunset cruises starting Memorial Day weekend. They operate two new home-ported vessels in Yorktown. They are the Schooner Alliance II and the Schooner Serenity. In addition, 20-30 regional cruise ships are welcomed at Riverwalk Landing piers.
The public works department unrolled and installed the “Mobi-Mat” on the beach. This special mat allows people in wheelchairs and motorized carts access to the beach and gets them close to the water. A “Mobi-Chair” can be reserved to enable a handicapped person to enter the water with the help of a friend or family member. It is free to rent from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in two-hour increments.
The Freight Shed, built in 1935 by NPS after a storm destroyed much of the waterfront, was used as a steamship terminal until 1952. The current facility was extensively renovated in 2005 in conjunction with the opening of Riverwalk Landing. Surrounded by a large brick plaza on the riverside of the building, it is rented for weddings, meetings and other special events.
The free fishing pier is open year-round with no license required. A grassy area beside the pier stretches for nearly ten acres and is a great place to set up an impromptu family picnic.
Yorktown Market Days offer York River views, food trucks and a variety of vendors. Patrons can shop for seasonal produce, fresh seafood, meats, bread, honey, gourmet dog treats and handmade soaps, candles and gifts. In case of inclement weather, the market moves to the lower level of the Water Street Parking Terrace (free parking garage).
May 6, 2023 kicked off the spring event season with Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, a ticketed event featuring BBQ, live music and over 30 craft beers. The popular Sounds of Summer Concert Series begins Thursday, June 1, 2023 with The Uptown Band. The free summer concerts attract crowds who bring chairs and picnic suppers to enjoy at the Thursday night 6:30-9 p.m. concerts. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra also presents an annual free concert on the waterfront.
In September, Rhythms on the Riverwalk Concert Series provide more free live music through October. Christmas brings a tree lighting, lighted boat parade and other holiday-themed events.
During COVID restrictions Olsen notes, “We pivoted to COVID-safe alternatives with drive-through markets and virtual concerts. Since the return of our full schedule of events, we have seen increased attendance across all our platforms.”
She adds, “Visitation to the region is at a high, despite the fact that group tours, business travel and international visitation have yet to fully recover [from the aftermath of COVID].”
The Gallery at York Hall at 301 Main Street, overseen by manager Sharon Owen, is a unique nonprofit partnership between the Celebrate Yorktown Committee and York County and is run solely by volunteers. The sprawling building features artwork from hundreds of local artists, crafts and gifts for sale. Customer purchases support Yorktown performing and visual arts, including the annual Virginia Symphony concert.
The Yorktown Victory Monument at the corner of Main Street and Ballard Street is a prominent landmark. Authorized by the Continental Congress on October 29, 1781, just after news of the British surrender came, the towering monument commemorates the American-French victory at Yorktown. Construction did not begin until 1881 and was completed in 1884. Lady Liberty stood at the very top until 1942 when a lightning bolt sheared off her arms and head and shattered her body. The monument base was also damaged. It was not until 1956 that a larger, new Lady Liberty was installed at the monument’s peak and repairs were completed.
In addition to outdoor walking and sightseeing on the Yorktown Battlefield grounds, there are two self-guided driving tour routes for the battlefield totaling 16 miles. Both the battlefield and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown are open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Battlefield, tour roads and park grounds are open 6 a.m. through sunset.
Unique shops line Water Street and are scattered throughout the village, offering everything from fine art to crafts, quilts, books, jewelry, souvenirs and even dog biscuits. Patriot Tours & Provisions offers beach supplies, kites and rents beach chairs, umbrellas, Segways, electric bikes, three-speed bikes, child bikes, kayaks and paddleboards. There are nearly a dozen dining options, from coffee and sandwich places to fine dining establishments. For those who want to spend a few days in town, accommodations include the Yorktown Beach Hotel and several popular bed and breakfast inns.
One place with a unique backstory is the nonprofit Watermen’s Museum at 309 Water Street. Formerly the home of Hornsby Oil Company, the site once included a ferry dock until the George P. Coleman Memorial Bridge (the largest double-swing-span bridge in America) spanning the York River between Yorktown and Gloucester Point was built.
“The bridge was built in 1952, and the ferry was decommissioned the same day,” says Steve Ormsby, Watermen’s Museum volunteer president. “Marion Hornsby Bowditch convinced her father to donate [the property for the museum].”
Founded in 1981 in a “leftover” Hornsby Oil Company building on a three-acre waterfront tract, the current building, a replica of Raleigh Tavern, was donated by Bob and Jan Kubicki and moved via barge in 1993 from its former home on the Gloucester side of the river. Longtime locals recall the hoopla when the barge hit a sandbar and was stuck on the York River for a number of weeks.
The museum chronicles the role Chesapeake Bay watermen from pre-colonial to modern times have played in the shaping of the nation via historical exhibits, boat models and items like an 1896 gas-fueled marine engine. The museum also offers rentals of its Carriage House, Events Tent and Deck and private beachfront for weddings and special events.
With all the activity in this bustling historic village, 2024 promises to bring even more excitement: California-based Princess Cruise Lines will call at Yorktown as part of a series of custom-curated itineraries, the first major cruise line to call in Yorktown.
“We’re honored that Princess Cruises sees the value in bringing their customers to Yorktown,” Olsen says.