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Yorktown National Cemetery
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On October 19, 1781, a British army under General Charles Lord Cornwallis was forced to surrender to General Washington’‘s combined American and French army. Upon hearing of their defeat, British Prime Minister Frederick Lord North is reputed to have said, "Oh God, it’‘s all over." And it was. The victory secured independence for the United States and significantly changed the course of world history.
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The Basics |
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| Hours: |
All park grounds are closed at sunset. Yorktown Visitor Center: Opened daily 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; closed December 25 and New Years Day. Nelson House Informal tours of this early 18th-century home’‘s first floor are offered throughout the year. The house is open daily mid-June to mid-August, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. During the spring and fall, the house is open 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., as staffing permits. Call for hours of operation during the winter months. Moore House Located behind the allied siege lines, this house was used as the stage for the surrender negotiations between Allied and British representatives. Today, amidst colonial furnishings, tours of the house focus on the surrender negotiations that helped end the Yorktown Siege. From mid-June to mid-August, the house is open 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. as staffing permits. During the spring and fall, the house is open weekends from 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and weekdays as staffing permits. Call for hours of operation during the winter months. Poor Potter Archaeological ruins of a busy pottery manufacturing site in the early 18th century. There are wayside exhibits and the kiln can be viewed through glass when the site is closed. The building is open as staffing permits. Check for hours of operation at National Park Service visitor center. |
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757-898-2410 |
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Climate |
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Tidewater Virginia generally has a warm climate. Average winter daytime temperatures peak at 10° C (50° F) with night time lows of 3° C (25-20° F). Chilling winds coming off the rivers can produce wind chill temperatures much lower. Summer temperatures range from daytime highs of 30° C (85-90° F) down to 20° C (60° F) at night. Area is generally humid, especially during the summer months.
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Fees |
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Things To Do |
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There are two self-guided auto tours that will allow you to enjoy and learn the history of the Siege of Yorktown at your own pace. A 7-mile Battlefield Tour Road, which takes about one hour, will give you a first-hand look at where the events of the siege took place. See both original and reconstructed earthworks and siege lines built and used by troops of both sides. Stand on the very site where the allied troops took British Redoubts 9 and 10 during a surprise night attack on October 14th, a decisive event which helped turn the tide toward an Allied victory. Overlook Surrender Field, where the British troops laid down their arms, surrendering 8,300 troops and effectively ending the American Revolution. A second, 9-mile Encampment Tour Road, which takes about one-half hour, reveals the locations of the allied encampments during the siege, including Washington's Headquarters. A trail connects to the Newport News park trail system for additional biking, hiking, and jogging. While touring the battlefield, you can also include stops at the British Royal Welch Fusilier's Redoubt; the French Memorial; Yorktown National Cemetery (Civil War era); the Yorktown Victory Monument, erected in 1881 in honor of the 1781 French and American victory; and Historic Yorktown, which was fortified and defended by the British during the siege. A brochure with additional information, maps, and directions for the auto tour roads is provided at the Yorktown Visitor Center with payment of the entrance fee.
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Guided Tours |
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Siege Line Walking Tours (30 minutes) Walk with a Park Ranger around a portion of the British Defenses and learn about the 1781 Siege of Yorktown. Yorktown Tours (45 minutes) Explore the town of York, established in 1691 as a colonial seaport. Enjoy a walk along Main Street past buildings that have witnessed 300 years of American history, and learn of the town's role in the siege.
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Indoor Activities |
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A 15-minute orientation film, entitled "The Siege at Yorktown," shows on the hour and half hour. From there, you can tour the museum exhibits which focus on the 1781 Siege of Yorktown, the Battle of the Capes, and the campaign table used by British General Cornwallis during the siege. The park's museum collection includes portions of General Washington's Campaign Tents which are display in the Visitor Center.
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Nearby Attractions |
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National Park Service Areas - Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park, 75 miles
- Petersburg National Battlefield, 50 miles
- Shenandoah National Park, 100 miles
- Richmond National Battlefield Park, 50 miles
Other Attractions - Colonial Williamsburg, 10 miles
- Jamestown Settlement & Yorktown Victory Center, 1 mile
- APVA - Jamestown Rediscovery Archeological Dig, 0 miles
- APVA - Historic Jamestown, 0 miles
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