There are 77 National Historic Sites managed by the National Park Service and several others that are affiliated sites. Similar to the list of our Top 10 National Historical Parks, these choices represent our experience and not the significance of a place in the annals of U.S. history. In fact, most of these spots we never would have heard about when sitting next to each other in Mrs. Williams’ AP American History class back in high school. Check out all of our Top 10 lists here.
Jamestown and Yorktown, Virginia are linked by the 23-mile Colonial Parkway, which passes through the well-known tourist attraction of Colonial Williamsburg. After the colony of Fort Raleigh proved a disaster, it was not until 1607 that the first successful English settlement was founded at Jamestown, Virginia. On October 18, 1781, General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his British troops at Yorktown, effectively ending the Revolutionary War. Though it was more than two years before a peace settlement was reached and General George Washington was able to march back into New York City, from where he retreated in 1776.
Remember back in 1777 in the aftermath of the battles of Saratoga when the French said they would help kick the British out of the 13 colonies? Well, not much happened until nearly four years later when Admiral de Grasse defeated the British fleet at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The ships were unable to resupply General Charles Cornwallis’ troops at Yorktown, who then faced a siege by the combined American and French forces. Inside the National Park Service visitor center at Yorktown is a replica of a French ship that you can walk aboard without getting seasick. It also has a replica of General George Washington’s battlefield tent. Outside, cannons abound along the auto tour.
Best Trail
Five miles of trails wind through Old Towne and New Towne in
Jamestown, Virginia. There is an entry
fee charged, since most of this section of the park is run by the non-profit
organization Preservation Virginia. This
includes admission to the excellent Voorhees Archaearium, a museum built atop
the foundation of the historic statehouse.
Do not miss the reproduction glassblowing house. This area also contains portions of the
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary War National Historic Trail and Captain
John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
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The original 1607 James Fort was triangular in shape and, of course, had cannons facing the James River.
Visiting Yorktown is $10 per person or free with the America the Beautiful pass, but entering Jamestown requires a payment of $20 per person or $5 per person with the America the Beautiful pass. There is a separate entry fee for nearby Jamestowne Settlement living history museum , but it is free to walk the streets of Colonial Williamsburg (more info on our other travel blog).
Road Conditions
All roads paved
Camping
There is no camping permitted within the park, but several private campgrounds can be found in the area, as well as numerous hotels since you will probably want to spend more than a day given the park’s proximity to Colonial Williamsburg.
Tiff with a statue of Pochantas
Cemetery in Old Towne Jamestown
Preservation Virginia is continuing to pursue archaeology on site
Tiff outside the Voorhees Archaearium
The NPS museum at Jamestown can be overwhelming in detail
Scott inside the replica French ship in the visitors center
The ship is furnished just like it would have been in 1781, cannons included.
George Washington was 6’2″ and so is the door in the museum
Tiff with Wondon in a cannon
The 95-foot tall Yorktown Victory Monument was dedicated in 1884
Don’t forget to stop at the Jamestown Glasshouse along the Colonial Parkway
Explore More – When an “ill” General Cornwallis sent his second-in-command to formally surrender his 8,000 troops, General George Washington was insulted and deferred the honor of accepting to whom?
In 1780, there were 8,000 British troops in South Carolina and Georgia, but none were as feared as the 270 cavalry under Colonel Banastre Tarleton. Following an attack at Waxhaws where his men inflicted 75% casualties on the retreating Patriots, he became known as “Bloody Ban” and a slaughter of surrendering soldiers was known as giving “Tarleton’s quarter.” After the major American victory at nearby Kings Mountain, the British were also defeated here on January 17, 1781 as they retreated to Yorktown, Virginia.
Highlights
Museum, Battlefield Trail, U.S. Memorial Monument, Robert Scruggs house
Must-Do Activity
The fiberoptic map in the National Park Service visitor center provides a good understanding of this 20-minute battle. Following the Patriot victory at Kings Mountain, Colonel Tarleton was sent to capture a Patriot army under Brigadier General Daniel Morgan. On January 17, 1781, Morgan used his militiamen to sucker in the aggressive Tarleton, instructing them to fire two shots then retreat towards the lines of trained infantry and cavalry under Lieutenant Colonel William Washington (George’s second cousin). The British took the bait and lost 80% of their force (110 killed, 229 wounded, and 600 captured), though Tarleton escaped.
Best Trail
The Battlefield Trail partially follows the historic Green
River Road and is 1.25 miles roundtrip from the visitor center. The auto tour route closes at 4:30 p.m. but
after hours parking is available at the trailhead off Highway 11, which also
accesses the Battlefield Trail. It is
part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which has 87 of its
330 miles publicly accessible, starting in Tennessee. There is also a 2-mile nature trail near the
picnic area.
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A 1932 monument marks the beginning of the Battlefield Trail.
In 1780, the conclusion of the Revolutionary War was anything but decided with the British army firmly entrenched in New York City, Charleston, and Savannah. General Charles Cornwallis commanded 2,200 troops in the colony of South Carolina and his plan was to meet up with Major Patrick Ferguson’s 1,100 men near Charlotte, North Carolina. Many historians consider the events that took place here on October 7, 1780 the beginning of the end of the war that culminated less than a year later at Yorktown.
Highlights
Museum, film, Battlefield Trail, U.S. Monument, grave of
Major Ferguson
Must-Do Activity
Though the museum in the National Park Service visitor
center is small, it is well done and very informative. You will learn that throughout 1780, a ragtag
band of Patriot militia dogged Major Ferguson, forcing him to make a stand 39
miles south of his destination at Kings Mountain on October 7, 1780. When the Loyalist force finally surrendered,
the enraged Patriots gave them “Tarleton’s quarter.” Killed during the fighting, Major Ferguson was
the only person in the battle born in the British Isles (in Scotland).
Best Trail
Start at the visitor center, then walk the 1.5-mile
Battlefield Trail. It is part of the
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail, which has 87 of its 330 miles
publicly accessible, starting in Tennessee.
Just be sure to be out of the park before the gates close for the night.
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The 83-foot tall U.S. Monument was dedicated in 1909 by the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Peak Season
Late summer when 18th-century military encampments occur on
select weekends.
There is one backcountry campsite on the grounds, which requires free registration at the visitor center. Neighboring Kings Mountain State Park offers 119 campsites and many miles of trails.
Major Ferguson is one of many who lost their lives at this site on October 7, 1780
This 28-foot tall monument was erected on the centennial in 1880
Scott inside the msueum
Wondon tries out a flintlock rifle in the museum
Explore More – What
earlier event provoked the Patriots to give “Tarleton’s quarter” after the
Loyalists surrendered?
Perhaps less well-known today than his brother William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, during the American Revolution George Rogers Clark’s fame was on par with that of George Washington. A beautiful 80-foot tall granite memorial was built on the site of Fort Sackville (in present day Vincennes, Indiana) in the 1930s to commemorate Clark’s achievements.
Highlights
Memorial building with statue and murals, Vigo statue, film
Must-Do Activity
After watching the 20-minute film in the visitor center, go
inside the circular memorial with 16 columns in classic Greek style to see a
bronze statue surrounded by seven murals.
George Rogers Clark was one of the early pioneers in Kentucky and after
war broke out he led 150 local men west to convince French settlers on the
Mississippi River to join the patriots.
With the assistance of the French, he defeated the British at Fort
Sackville on February 25, 1779. After
the 1783 Treaty of Paris, much of this territory would become part of the
fledgling United States of America.
Best Trail
There are no trails, but you can walk or drive a few blocks
to visit the home of President William Henry Harrison and the old Indiana
Territory capitol.
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Francis Vigo was a French merchant who tipped off Clark that Fort Sackville was lightly guarded and then provided financial support for the mission. His statue sits on the banks of the Wabash River.
Only 2 miles north of Vincennes, Indiana, the county-operated Ouabache Trails Park offers campsites with electric and water hookups.
There are many details inside the memorial
Tiff with the bridge over the Wabash River
Pink dogwood flowers
The front of Grouseland – the home of President Harrison
Explore More – His bronze statue is larger than life, but the real George Rogers Clark stood what impressive height by eighteenth-century standards?
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