News Release

Colonial National Historical Park Seeks Proposals for Adaptive Use of Somerwell House

Date: April 27, 2021
Contact: Lauren Gurniewicz, 757-871-0590

The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for potential adaptive use of the historic Somerwell House. The RFP allows interested parties to submit their concept(s) of potential future adaptive use, considering the park’s purpose. The building is 2,628 sq. ft. and located on Main Street in historic Yorktown. In addition to the house, there is a 256 square-foot stable/shed. The potential adaptive reuse is a great opportunity to be a part of ongoing community efforts to revitalize historic Main Street in preparation for the 250^th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and the victory at Yorktown in 2031.

Somerwell House

National Park Service

Yorktown, Virginia – The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for potential adaptive use of the historic Somerwell House. The RFP allows interested parties to submit their concept(s) of potential future adaptive use, considering the park’s purpose. The building is 2,628 sq. ft. and located on Main Street in historic Yorktown. In addition to the house, there is a 256 square-foot stable/shed. The potential adaptive reuse is a great opportunity to be a part of ongoing community efforts to revitalize historic Main Street in preparation for the 250^th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and the victory at Yorktown in 2031. Copies of the RFP are available for download online.The NPS provides for leasing of historic as well as non-historic properties in park areas around the country. A lease authorizes any activity not permitted by a concessions contract or commercial use authorization. All leases must provide for fair market value rent as determined by an appraisal. Reinvested net income funds:

• Historic preservation projects
• Capital improvements of the historic properties
• Park infrastructure
• Maintenance Backlog

A pre-submittal open house will take place at the Somerwell House on June 11 from 10:30 am-12:30 pm and 1:30-3:30 pm. The park’s Business Manager will be available for property tours and questions during the open house, which will be a come-and-go format. Social distancing and face coverings will be required for indoor property tours. For more information contact the Business office via email: e-mail us

About Colonial National Historical Park. Colonial National Historical Park was established in 1930 to preserve important 17th and 18th century sites that tell the story of English colonization and the struggle for American independence. Jamestown’s legacy includes representative government, but also slavery, a brutal institution that spread throughout the colonies. At Yorktown, Virginia colonists fought in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War. The 23-mile Colonial Parkway links the sites and is recognized as an “All-American road”. Learn more online.

About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 423 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.