COLONIAL PAR K WAY Jamestown Williamsburg Yorktown Colonial National Historical Park VIRGINIA Colonial Parkway A triple memorial of history is here made accessible by a scenic and historically rich parkway N THE Virginia Peninsula three fa­ Williamsburg Information Center. These mous places—Jamestown, Williams­ are the best points of departure for seeing O burg, and Yorktown — form a triangle the areas. only 14 miles at the base. Here, between The parkway route is outward from James­ the James and York Rivers, is compressed a town Island over a sandbar to Glasshouse great deal of American history. The found­ Point. An isthmus existed there in colonial ing of the first permanent English settlement times. For the colonists, it was the way to in 1607 at Jamestown, Va.; the establish­ unoccupied lands awaiting beyond. In the ment there of the first representative form vicinity of the Glasshouse and Virginia's Fes­ of government in the New World; the flower­ tival Park, Colonial Parkway bends sharply ing of colonial culture and growth of revolu­ to cross Powhatan Creek and then courses tionary sentiment at Williamsburg; and the eastward along Back River and the Thor­ winning of American independence at York- oughfare, which separate Jamestown Island town are historical milestones. from the mainland. After following the Each place has a thrilling story of its own. James River for 3 miles, the parkway at Yet, they are connected stories, for things College Creek turns inland through the woods that happened at Jamestown led directly to toward Williamsburg. Williamsburg, and events in Williamsburg There the parkway passes under the re­ in part led to the story unfolded at York- stored city by means of a tunnel—a device INTERPRETIVE MARKERS ALONG COLONIAL PARKWAY town. Because of their proximity and be­ to reduce the number of automobiles on the 1. This Is Jamestown Island 11. College Creek. 22. Ringfield Plantation 2. The Isthmus 12. Attempted Settlement 23. Nathaniel Bacon cause of Colonial Parkway, it is easy to fol­ colonial streets. Just beyond the tunnel is the 3. Glasshouse Point (1570) 24. Bellfield Plantation low the sequence of the history-making, from Williamsburg Information Center Headed 4. Neck-of-Land Near "James Citty" 13. Kingsmill (site open daily) COLONIAL PARKWAY 5. Real Estate (1636) 14. Halfway Creek 25. Cheatham Annex our colonial beginnings at Jamestown to our for Yorktown. the parkway takes you past 6. Glebe Land 15. Great Neck (1637) 26. Indian Field Creek Nation's independence at Yorktown. the Cheatham Annex and U.S. Naval Weap­ 7. Jamestown Island (from the Mainland) 16. Mill Dam 27. Powhatan's Village VIRGINIA 8. Archer's Hope 17. The Palisades (1633) 28. York River ons Station, whose piers can be seen jutting 9. James River 18. Great Oaks 29. Naval Weapons Station Colonial Parkway into a blue-watered harbor. This is the York SCALE IN MILES 10. The Coming of the Colonists 19. Williamsburg 30. French Trench (an orientation map) 20. Jones Mill Pond 31. Fusilier's Redoubt The motorway you drive today, for the River, which here is less a river than an estu­ 21. A Union Advance 32. Yorktown Battlefield most part, does not trace the paths of old ary of Chesapeake Bay. The parkway follows REV. AUGUST 1962 APR. 1958 COL-PKY-17000 colonial routes. The present route was the riverbanks for 6 miles —terminating in the battlefield on the cliffs above Yorktown chosen not only to give access to the many countryside, or explain its natural features. concept of representative government, one of The first point to visit at Jamestown is the Paintings, markers, and recorded messages where "port facilities and good harbor" at­ historic spots, but also to take advantage of Another parkway facility is the Ringfield Pic­ our proudest institutions, first took root here modern visitor center just across the foot­ along the way help you imagine the life in tracted Cornwallis in 1781. the natural beauty of this tidewater country. nic Area where free restrooms, drinking water, at Jamestown in 1619, on transplant from the bridge from the parking area. There you will the colony. A road loops the wildwood sec­ A broad right-of-way of woodlands and Parking turnouts or overlooks have been and picnic tables are provided. Also near mother country. find information to orient you and help make tion of the island, and the 40-minute drive shoreline assures the preservation of the scene. provided at various points of interest along Jamestown is the Festival Park Picnic Area. After the turn of the 18th century, "James your visit more meaningful. Exhibits in this on this loop completes the Jamestown visit. The parkway starts at the Jamestown Visi­ Colonial Parkway so that you may drive to Jamestown, founded May 13, 1607, was the Citty" slowly disappeared as the center of building trace the story of Jamestown—its Glasshouse Point, scene of the Jamestown tor Center and ends at the Yorktown Visi­ the side and pause in safety. At each point, first permanent English settlement in the life, for the colony moved inland. Even life and times. Many objects, once used by Glassworks of 1608 and its faithfully restored tor Center—passing near the door of the signs tell of the history and legends of the New World. Out of stockaded "James Fort," though there is no longer a living town at the settlers, have been unearthed from the counterpart, lies on the tip of the mainland built close on the shore of the James River, Jamestown, there are many reminders of its Jamestown ruins and are on display. across the isthmus and to the left, as you grew "James Citty." For 92 years (1607-99) leave Jamestown Island proper. The National Park System, of which Colonial National Historical Park is a unit, first century. Today, the island in its entirety From the center a walking tour extends this was the capital city of Virginia. For 13 is dedicated to conserving the scenic, scientific, and historic heritage of the United is jointly preserved by the National Park over the townsite along the old streets and There are no eating or lodging facilities of those years it constituted the lone English States for the benefit and inspiration of its people. Service and the Association for the Preser­ paths to the church, the statehouse sites, and at Jamestown; however, you can lunch at the toehold along the Atlantic seaboard. The vation of Virginia Antiquities. the ruins of early houses, taverns, and shops. Mermaid Tavern in Festival State Park adja- cent to Glasshouse Point. The State pack, several craft shops, and many handsome gar­ ton during the campaign; part of a recon­ Mission 66 created for the 350th Jamestown anniversary, dens. A visit can best be planned at the structed British frigate with objects recovered Mission 66 is a program designed to be also features an off-site reproduction of "James information center adjacent to Colonial Park­ from the river bottom; and dioramas depict­ completed by 1966 which will assure the Fort"; the reconstructed ships, Susan Constant, way where there is information about special ing scenes in the battle. The Siege Line maximum protection of the scenic, scientific, COLONIAL Godspeed, and Discovery; Powhatan's Indian activities and accommodations. Most impor­ Lookout on the roof deck of the visitor cen­ wilderness, and historic resources of the Na­ Lodge; and other exhibits. Festival Park has tant is a fine introductory film, "The Story ter affords a panoramic view over the stra­ tional Park System in such ways as will make its own admissions schedule. of a Patriot." Free buses operate between tegic areas of the famous battle. National them available for the use and enjoyment of Williamsburg was one of the important the Information Center and the restored area. Park Service historians are on duty to help present and future generations. The comple­ Of particular interest in Williamsburg, too, breeding grounds for ideas that led to Ameri­ you understand the course of events which tion of Colonial Parkway was one of the first PAR K WAY are Bruton Parish Church and the College can independence. As the successor to James­ led to victory. achievements of Mission 66 for Colonial Na­ of William and Mary, founded in 1693. town, for 80 influential years (1700-1779) A self-guided motor drive begins at the tional Historical Park. this town was the capital of the Virginia Yorktown throughout the 1700's was a port visitor center and circles the points of inter­ Colony and a leading cultural and political town, busy with colonial exports and im­ est in the battlefield, encampment areas, and A dministration center. Here George Washington, Patrick ports. In 1781 this town, built over and the old town. Along the tour are long, twist­ Henry, George Wythe, Thomas Jefferson, under the York River cliffs, became the final ing fortifications, and the famous redoubts Colonial Parkway is part of Colonial Na­ George Mason, and other patriots debated battleground of the American Revolution. with old cannons in place — some of them tional Historical Park, which is administered the course of America's future. Here Comwallis and his British Army sur­ fired at Yorktown. There is the Moore by the National Park Service, U.S. Depart­ John D. Rockefeller, Jr., has made possi­ rendered to George Washington's allied House, where terms of surrender were drawn; ment of the Interior. ble the restoration that exists today. The American and French Armies. Here our the site of Washington's Headquarters; the Created in 1849, the Department of the purpose of Colonial Williamsburg is to re­ Nation's independence was assured.