The town is most famous as the site of the siege and subsequent surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington and the French Fleet during the American Revolutionary War on October 19, 1781. Although the war would last for another year, this British defeat at Yorktown effectively ended the war.
Adults (16 and older)- $10; good for 7 days entrance to Yorktown Battlefield. Yorktown Battlefield does not sell the permit for Historic Jamestowne. 15 and younger are free.
Yorktown History. Yorktown's history considerably precedes 1781. The present location of the charming town was first occupied by the Native-American population for at least 10,000 years prior to European arrival.
What is the population of Yorktown?
Yorktown was established by Virginia's colonial government in 1691 to regulate trade and to collect taxes on both imports and exports for Great Britain. By the early 1700s, Yorktown had emerged as a major Virginia port and economic center. A well-developed waterfront boasted wharves, docks, storehouses and businesses.
Sheri Newcomb. Sheri Newcomb is the Deputy Director of Community Services.
The Peninsula Health District has issued a swimming advisory for Yorktown Beach after finding bacteria levels in the water that exceeded state water quality standards. “Warning swimmers — bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards, swimming not advised until further notice.”
Yorktown Beach. The beach is perfect for sunbathing, boating, swimming, and fishing. An ADA accessible fishing pier and grassy picnic area are also available to guests.
The Siege of Yorktown, also known as the Battle of Yorktown, the surrender at Yorktown, or the German Battle, ending on October 19, 1781, at Yorktown, Virginia, was a decisive victory by a combined force of American Continental Army troops led by General George Washington and French Army troops led by the Comte de
George Washington, after the last major battle of the Revolutionary War. Surrender Field is preserved as part of Yorktown Battlefield, a 4,500-acre unit of Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia.
| Yorktown, Virginia |
|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Virginia |
| County | York |
| Area |
The Siege of Yorktown
Cornwallis hoped to keep his men in the Chesapeake town until fresh supplies and reinforcements could arrive from Britain. The French and the Americans conspired to capture the British before that could happen.It's possible to do Colonial Williamsburg in one day and do one of the Jamestown and one of the Yorktown sites on the second day. If you have just two days, that will fill them up nicely.
On August 20, 1781, he began moving American and French forces south from New York to join Lafayette's American troops and engage Cornwallis at Yorktown. As supreme commander, he was responsible for coordinating the American and French wings of the army, as well as strategy and logistics.
Local Residents enjoy free admission every day at Jamestown Settlement & the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Free admission includes general admission and special exhibitions at Jamestown Settlement and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown. Separate ticketed programs do not qualify for free admission.
The distance between Williamsburg and Yorktown is 11 miles. The road distance is 14.1 miles.