York County will be bursting with activities this weekend to honor of the 233rd anniversary of America’s victory at Yorktown during the Revolutionary War.
Yorktown Victory Center and Yorktown Battlefield will both present events Saturday and Sunday to celebrate Yorktown Day.
The holiday marks the anniversary of triumph over the British in 1781, following a nine-day bombardment. It was the last major military action of the American Revolution, effectively securing American independence.
Yorktown Victory Center Revolutionary War Programs
Military re-enactors, artillery demonstrations and hands-on demonstrations at re-created Continental Army encampment sites will all be showcased at Yorktown Victory Center.
Revolutionary War re-enactment group The 7th Virginia Regiment of the Continental Line will bring a two-pound cannon, while “A School for the Soldier” will offer the opportunity to drill with wooden muskets and learn about soldiers’ provisions and sleeping quarters.
At the re-created 1780s farm, “The Price of Liberty” will examine the sacrifices of those who declared independence from Great Britain. Farm visitors can also see methods of open-hearth cooking, spinning demonstrations and transition from farmer to soldier in training to join the citizen militia.
Visitors can also participate in “Enlist,” a one-hour program offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. both days, for $10 in addition to general admission. “Enlist” has guests sign papers, march and drill with wooden muskets, identify uniforms of allies and enemies, build living quarters and defensive earthworks, learn about espionage, and receive advance “pay” and orders from General George Washington.
The Yorktown Victory Center is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at 200 Water St.
Admission is $9.75 for ages 13 and up, and $5.5o for children ages 6 to 12. With proof of residency, entrance is free for residents of the James City County, York County and the City of Williamsburg, including College of William & Mary students.
To see the full list of programs and times for each, click here.
Anniversary Programs at Yorktown Battlefield
The National Park Service at Yorktown Battlefield, site of the 1781 siege, will offer a variety of tours and talks Saturday and Sunday.
The British Royal Artillery will perform on the Yorktown Battlefield near the National Park Service Visitor Center at 12:15, 1:15, 2:15 and 3:15 p.m. Saturday and at 3:45 p.m. Sunday.
The Nelson House — home of Declaration of Independence signer Thomas Nelson, Jr. — will be open 1 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, while the Moore House, where negotiations took place, will be open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday.
Park rangers will also offer tours of Yorktown Battlefield both days.
Admission on Saturday is $7 for adults and free for those under age $16. Entrance is free Sunday as part of Yorktown Day festivities.
For more information, call 898-2410 or visit the park website.
Other Yorktown Day Events
On Sunday, the annual Yorktown Women’s Club Brunswick stew lunch will be held at 11:30 a.m. at Grace Episcopal Church, and at noon the U.S. Army Commander-in-Chief’s Guard will perform on the Yorktown Battlefield next to the Visitor Center.
At 1:30 p.m. the Yorktown Day parade will march down Main Street. It will be followed by patriotic activities at the Yorktown Victory Monument at 2:15 p.m.
A wreath-laying on the monument, in memory of those who fought and died in the siege of Yorktown in 1781, will conclude events.
