Exploring Early American History at Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia

Stand on the Yorktown battlefield where cannons once thundered. Walk the Jamestown shoreline where English settlers first landed. At Colonial National Historical Park in Virginia, your family traces 174 years of American history from fragile colony to independent nation.

Two sites tell this story. At Jamestown, you see where it all started in 1607. At Yorktown, you stand where it was won in 1781. Together, they bookend two pivotal moments in early American history — colonial settlement in 1607 and the climax of the Revolution in 1781.

Jamestown: Where English America began

In 1607, 104 English settlers stepped ashore at Jamestown. They built the first permanent English settlement in North America. They struggled, they adapted, and they survived long enough to plant roots that would eventually become the United States.

The park includes Historic Jamestowne, the original archaeological site where active excavations continue uncovering artifacts from the 1607 settlement. Walk through reconstructed fort walls at James Fort. Nearby, Jamestown Settlement museum offers replica ships where kids climb aboard the Susan Constant and imagine the four-month ocean crossing.

The glasshouse demonstrates 17th-century glassmaking techniques. Watch artisans work molten glass using period tools while explaining how colonists created essential supplies.

Powhatan village reconstructions show the indigenous perspective. The Powhatan people lived here for thousands of years before English ships arrived. Understanding their story alongside the settlers' story gives your family the complete picture.

Yorktown: Where independence was secured

Fast-forward 174 years to October 1781. British General Cornwallis and 8,000 troops fortified Yorktown. General George Washington and his Continental Army, joined by French forces, surrounded them. After a three-week siege, Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the Revolutionary War and securing American independence.

The Yorktown Battlefield unit of the park preserves where this decisive victory unfolded. Earthwork fortifications remain visible. Allied encampment sites mark where Washington's army camped. British redoubts show where desperate defenders made their last stand.

The American Revolution Museum at Yorktown offers hands-on exhibits. Kids try on Continental Army uniforms, handle reproduction weapons, and watch living history demonstrations. The outdoor experiential areas feature a Continental Army encampment and a 1780s farm.

From Yorktown battlefield overlooks, you see the York River where French ships blockaded British escape routes.

Connecting two pivotal moments

Colonial National Historical Park connects these two defining moments in American history. The 23-mile Colonial Parkway links Jamestown and Yorktown, winding through forests and marshlands largely unchanged since colonial times. The parkway passes through Williamsburg (a separate historic site) along the way.

Drive this scenic route and you travel through time itself. From the first permanent settlement to the battle that won independence, your family experiences the full arc of colonial America in a single visit.

Plan your visit: Colonial National Historical Park is located in southeastern Virginia, easily accessible from Williamsburg. Both sites offer visitor centers, ranger programs, and self-guided tours.

More information:

• Colonial National Historical Park

• Jamestown Settlement

• Yorktown Battlefield