YORK COUNTY — Yorktown Day events at Historic Yorktown and the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18-19 will celebrate America’s decisive 1781 Revolutionary War victory.
On the eve of America’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution, townwide events will mark the occasion with artillery salutes, interpretive programs, special exhibitions and experiential events.
The annual Yorktown Day commemoration honors the Oct. 19, 1781, victory by allied American and French armies under the command of Gen. George Washington at the Siege of Yorktown. After a nine-day bombardment, British forces under Lt. Gen. Charles Cornwallis requested a cease-fire and then surrendered more than 8,000 soldiers and sailors. As the last major military action of the American Revolution, the victory at Yorktown effectively secured independence for the American colonies following a six-and-a-half-year military struggle.
According to Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, the modern-day observance of Yorktown Day traces its roots to 1922, when the Daughters of the American Revolution began an annual wreath-laying ceremony, which set the tradition upon which the current Yorktown Day is based. Today, Yorktown Day commemorative events are co-sponsored by the Yorktown Day Association, comprised of 13 civic, patriotic and government organizations.
Various ceremonies and events are planned around the Yorktown area, while some events have been cancelled or postponed due to the government shutdown.
American Revolution Museum at Yorktown
At the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown, stories of citizens and soldiers during the Revolutionary period unfold daily at the expansive history museum through immersive films, artifact-filled exhibition galleries and living-history interpretation in outdoor re-creations of a Continental Army encampment and Revolution-era farm.
Historic Yorktown
Throughout the weekend, JYF said Historic Yorktown will commemorate America’s triumph over Britain with a variety of programs and activities, including opportunities to sail aboard the Schooner Alliance II at the Riverwalk Landing Piers.
At Yorktown Market Days’ Victory Market, Oct. 18, 9 a.m. to noon, red, white and blue will be on full display with a morning of shopping, entertainment and family fun, according to the foundation. Visitors can browse handcrafted works from local artisans, including glassware, paintings, woodwork and more, and enjoy an all-American lineup of market favorites, including apples, cookies, meats, oysters and other local delicacies. Event highlights include live music by Corey Pavlovsky, a quilt-making activity for Visit Williamsburg’s Great American Birthday Quilt Project, Continental Army photo opportunities, a storytime with George Washington’s dog and spy games.
On Saturday, Oct. 18, the U.S. Coast Guard Tracen Ceremonial Band will perform at 2 p.m. at Yorktown & Co. Stage, offering an afternoon of patriotic sounds and powerful performances. JYF said visitors are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs, relax in the scenic yard along Main Street, soak in the charm of Historic Yorktown and enjoy gourmet coffee, wine, beer and sweets next door from Mobjack Coffee Roasters and Little York Confectionery. The event is free and open to the public.
Visitors are encouraged to take the free ADA accessible Yorktown Trolley, with stops throughout town and download the new Visit Yorktown Widget to discover unique restaurants, attractions, events and experiences. For more information, call 757-890-5900 or visit visityorktown.org.
Cancellations
In the wake of the federal government shutdown, the foundation noted the annual Yorktown Day Parade on Main Street and Patriotic Exercises, traditionally held at the Yorktown Victory Monument, administered by Colonial National Historical Park Yorktown Battlefield, have been cancelled. The Yorktown Day Association will hold a private ceremony on Oct. 19 honoring Yorktown Day at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.
Wreath-laying ceremonies honoring American and French soldiers, as well as British and Loyalist soldiers, will be held on Oct. 18-19 at various locations in Historic Yorktown.
Programs initially planned for the Colonial National Historical Park, Yorktown Battlefield on Oct. 18 and 19 are on hold due to the government shutdown. For more information and updates, call 757-898-2410 or visit nps.gov/colo.