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Colonial National Historical Park

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Yorktown, VA
Colonial National Historical Park

Witness America’s Beginnings, from an English colony in 1607, to an independent nation in 1781
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Colonial National Historical Park manages Jamestown Island and Yorktown Battlefield, two historically significant sites representing early American history. These sites are connected by the Colonial Parkway, which is a 23-mile scenic drive. At Jamestown Island, you can learn about the first permanent settlement that established the foundation for English colonization in North America. Experience w

hat life was like for the English, American Indians, and Africans who contributed to the foundation of this country. At the other end of the parkway, you can drive the tour routes at Yorktown Battlefield, where the last major battle of the Revolutionary War took place. Learn how the victory at Yorktown ended the war and ensured America’s independence from Great Britain. The park also includes Green Spring, the 17th century plantation home of Virginia's colonial governor, Sir William Berkeley, and the Cape Henry Memorial, which marks the approximate site of the first landing of the Jamestown colonists.

08/10/2026

🌟 Thank You, Josephine! 🌟
Last week we said goodbye to our Community Volunteer Ambassador, Josephin Rozner. As she completes her year-long internship, we’re celebrating the incredible impact she’s made at Colonial National Historical Park:

🤝 Strengthening Community Partnerships
Josephine transformed our partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center in Yorktown, growing it into a reliable and energetic monthly volunteer force. Her leadership helped Coast Guard volunteers tackle key stewardship projects, especially bamboo removal and historic earthwork care.

🌱 Expanding Volunteer Opportunities
Working with teams across the park, Josephine created meaningful avenues for Scouts, students, civic groups, and community organizations. Her ability to connect people with purpose strengthened both volunteer engagement and park stewardship.

🌿 Supporting the NPS Mission
Through hands on resource protection, improved communication, and thoughtful digital outreach, Josephine helped highlight the importance of volunteerism and ensured park projects were supported and celebrated.

⚓ Leading During Major Events
Josephine’s coordination during the Sail Yorktown Festival—recruiting and organizing over 100 volunteers—was exceptional. Her organization, energy, and leadership were central to the event’s success.

💡 A Lasting Impact
Josephine brought creativity, professionalism, and heart to every project. The tools she developed for onboarding, communication, and volunteer recognition will continue benefiting the park for many years to come.

Thank you, Josephine, for your dedication, compassion, and remarkable leadership. Colonial NHP is better because of you, and we’re so grateful for the connections and improvements you’ve inspired this year. 💛

We will miss you- and you will always be part of our park family. Wishing you all the best on your next adventure!

U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown Visit Yorktown

👉 Interested in joining our Intern Team? Email us at [email protected]
📸NPS photo

07/31/2026

🌟 Meet the 2026 Dream Team: Colonial’s Summer Interns! 🌟

This summer we welcomed an incredible cohort of interns from four partner organizations — MobilizeGreen, the National Council for Preservation Education (NCPE), Conservation Legacy, and the Appalachian Conservation Corps. Together, they formed a powerhouse team that jumped into projects across natural and cultural resources, interpretation, GIS, and outreach.

And wow… did they make an impact! 👏 Our interns rolled up their sleeves and:
🐢 Supported shoreline and turtle monitoring
🧭 Led visitor engagement at Jamestown & Yorktown
🧱 Boosted archaeological & resource projects
⛵ Helped prepare for major 250th events — including the Sail Yorktown Festival
🇺🇸 Even marched in the Yorktown 4th of July parade

Behind the scenes, they collaborated with staff in every program — gaining hands on experience, professional skills, and growing confidence as future land stewards and conservation leaders. Through mentorship and real world project work, they became valued contributors to our team.

🎓 Representing colleges across the country:
University of Maryland Eastern Shore • Washington College • Virginia Tech • William & Mary • Christopher Newport University • Dennison University • Bryn Mawr • University of Texas at Austin • Virginia Wesleyan.

A huge THANK YOU to the 2026 interns! You didn’t just join us for the summer— your energy, creativity, teamwork, and dedication helped advance projects that will benefit the park long into the future. We’re grateful for all you brought to the park — and excited to see where your journeys take you next! 💚

👉 Interested in joining our Intern Team? Email us at [email protected]

📸NPS photo

07/28/2026

Big Impact 💪, Bigger Heart 💚 — Thank You, Coast Guard Volunteers! 🇺🇸

This past Saturday, 14 amazing volunteers from the U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown teamed up with our NPS staff to remove invasive plant species near former Slabtown — and WOW, did they deliver! 🙌

In just three hours, the team cleared roughly 125 cubic yards of invasive plants, including trifoliate orange, Japanese stiltgrass, privet, and ailanthus. Their hard work helps native plants flourish and makes the area more accessible for park visitors. 🌿✨

A huge thank you to for your dedication and incredible effort! 💙🤍❤️

Interested in volunteering with us?
👉 Learn more: https://www.nps.gov/colo/getinvolved/volunteer.htm
📧 Email: [email protected]
U.S. Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown

07/23/2026

Where History Stands: The Yorktown Cemetery Lodge

Tucked within the quiet grounds of Yorktown National Cemetery, the cemetery lodge stands as one of the site’s most distinctive historic features.

Designed in the Second Empire style by Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs, this elegant structure is one of fewer than twenty Meigs-designed cemetery lodges still standing today.

Completed in 1872 and expanded in 1876–77, its most recognizable feature is the mansard roof—a four‑sided roof with a steep lower slope and a flatter upper section, designed to maximize interior space while giving the building its signature dramatic silhouette.

Although not regularly open to the public, the lodge is occasionally opened for special events, offering a rare chance to step inside a building that reflects the architectural tastes and commemorative values of the post–Civil War era.

🔍Want to learn more: https://www.nps.gov/places/yorktown-national-cemetery.htm

📷1876-1877 photo of the Yorktown National Cemetery lodge (before the mansard roof alteration) and current day photo.

07/20/2026

Unearthing Clues to Early Life at Jamestown

Did you know that alongside current work at the Victory Monument, archeologists also dig at Jamestown?

While crews recently opened small test units near the Monument, similar efforts at Jamestown have already revealed fascinating insights into early life on the island.

In 2023, archaeologists excavated test units across the Travis home site on Jamestown Island. Ten units uncovered features below the plowzone, including two large circular stains that may mark postholes from an early earthfast building. Other units held charcoal, brick fragments, shell mortar, and everyday household debris—small traces that tell big stories about daily life in the colonial period.

Even without a full foundation, the soil preserved a meaningful record of past use, offering us a subtle but powerful glimpse into the lives of Jamestown’s early residents.

🔍 Want to learn more? https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/archeology-hidden-histories-uncovered-on-jamestown-island.htm

07/17/2026

✨ Archaeology in Action at the Victory Monument — Happening Now! ✨
Over the last couple of weeks, NPS archeologists have been conducting archeological testing around the Yorktown Victory Monument.

This area has never been archeologically tested, and the team is already uncovering layers of soil disturbance and deep deposits of artifacts—likely linked to the Civil War earthwork that was pushed over when the monument was constructed in the 1880s. The team opened small test units last week and plan to expand into larger excavation blocks in the future to better understand how past ground alterations—and modern and future event use, like large tents and weights—may impact buried resources.

Our archaeologists, including seasonal specialists with decades of experience, are on site now and welcome your questions. Come say hello, learn what’s being uncovered, and see archeology in action as discoveries are made!

🔎 Want to learn more about NPS archaeology?
👉 https://www.nps.gov/subjects/archeology/index.htm

07/16/2026

The march to October 19, 2031 has begun!

We’re officially on the — marking the 250th anniversary of the Surrender at Yorktown, the moment that secured America’s independence.

Between now and 2031, join us for special events, programs, and commemorations that honor the places where America’s story took root. Stand where history turned the tide. Walk the battlefield where independence became real.

👉 Plan your visit today: nps.gov/colo

07/15/2026

🚨 Still looking for something to do this summer? Don’t miss out on this special opportunity!🎨

🌞The 2026 Yorktown Day Art Contest is calling all K–12 creatives to showcase your talent.

🖌️ Theme: "From Ideals to Action: The Road to Yorktown."

🎭 Open to ALL mediums—painting, sculpture, photography, & more.

🏅 Best in Show wins an Annual Park Pass and their art featured on the 2027 Colonial NHP park pass.

📅 Submit your artwork September 14–18 at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center

📲 Details & full contest rules: https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/kidsyouth/2026-yorktown-day-art-contest.htm

Let your creativity shine and help us celebrate the road to independence!

Address

1000 Colonial Pkwy
Yorktown, VA
23690

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm
Sunday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17578982410

Website

http://nps.gov/colo

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