https://www.nps.gov/COLO News releases from Colonial National Historical Park. en-us https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/pedal-the-parkway-2026.htm Wed, 08 Apr 2026 12:54:00 EST A seven-mile stretch of the Colonial Parkway will be open to running, walking, and biking on May 2 from 7:00 am to 12:00 pm. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/pedal-the-parkway-2026.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/step-into-history-at-we-the-people-a-yorktown-battlefield-event.htm Mon, 08 Sep 2025 20:00:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park invites the public to “We the People: A Yorktown Battlefield Event,” a free, one-of-a-kind celebration on Saturday, September 20 on the historic grounds of Yorktown Battlefield. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/step-into-history-at-we-the-people-a-yorktown-battlefield-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/before-the-siege-living-history-event.htm Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:17:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park will host a living history event along Yorktown’s Main Street and Redoubts 9 and 10 on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/before-the-siege-living-history-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/we-the-people-event.htm Tue, 01 Jul 2025 11:40:00 EST Join us for a special screening of Ken Burns' new documentary on the American Revolution. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/we-the-people-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/pedal-the-parkway-2025.htm Tue, 22 Apr 2025 08:22:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park invites the public to either ride their bicycles or walk a seven mile stretch of the Colonial Parkway on May 5, 2025. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/pedal-the-parkway-2025.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2025-01-02.htm Thu, 02 Jan 2025 07:37:00 EST The removal of two acres of bamboo in Yorktown has necessitated the creation of some temporary closures. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2025-01-02.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-road-closed-for-construction.htm Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:32:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park will implement a temporary closure of the Jamestown Island Loop Drive beginning on Monday December 2, to safely rehabilitate three wooden bridges on the drive. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-road-closed-for-construction.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-director-celebrates-completion-of-$24-million-shoreline-restoration-project-in-colonial-national-historical-park.htm Thu, 24 Oct 2024 12:00:00 EST Yesterday, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams joined a celebration in Colonial National Historical Park marking the completion of a $24 million shoreline restoration project supported by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) Legacy Restoration Fund. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-director-celebrates-completion-of-$24-million-shoreline-restoration-project-in-colonial-national-historical-park.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2024-10-15-parkway-public-meeting.htm Tue, 15 Oct 2024 09:05:00 EST Public meeting to review the next phase of the rehabilitation of the Colonial Parkway. Meeting will be held in James City County Government Center on October 24, 2024 beginning at 6:30 pm. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2024-10-15-parkway-public-meeting.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-announces-before-the-siege-living-history-event.htm Thu, 22 Aug 2024 11:32:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park will host a living history event along Yorktown’s Historic Main Street and Redoubts 9 and 10 on Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, 2024. Park rangers and living history volunteers will give a glimpse into daily lives of town residents and British troops in weeks leading up to the Battle of Yorktown in 1781. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-announces-before-the-siege-living-history-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-partially-reopen.htm Sat, 08 Jun 2024 06:29:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park will implement a partial opening schedule for the Island Loop Drive on Jamestown Island starting the week of June 7. The drive had been closed since Monday, March 18 to protect turtles during periods of increased activity and conduct a turtle activity study. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-partially-reopen.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-have-a-temporary-closure-for-hatchling-protection-and-a-turtle-activity-study.htm Fri, 08 Mar 2024 08:48:00 EST The Island Loop Drive on Jamestown Island at Colonial National Historical Park will be closed fully to vehicular traffic beginning Monday, March 18 to protect turtles during periods of increased activity and conduct a turtle activity study. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-have-a-temporary-closure-for-hatchling-protection-and-a-turtle-activity-study.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/national-park-service-and-federal-highway-administration-to-begin-next-phase-of-colonial-parkway-rehabilitation.htm Fri, 08 Mar 2024 05:20:00 EST National Park Service and Federal Highway Administration to Begin Next Phase of Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/national-park-service-and-federal-highway-administration-to-begin-next-phase-of-colonial-parkway-rehabilitation.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/no-more-rec-days-in-2023.htm Fri, 15 Sep 2023 05:45:00 EST Due to Parkway closures and current detours as a result of the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation project, the remaining Parkway Recreation Days (Rec Days) at Colonial National Historical Park have been cancelled. They were originally scheduled for September 30, October 1 and November 18-19, 2023. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/no-more-rec-days-in-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2023-colonial-parkway-rehab.htm Thu, 03 Aug 2023 06:38:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park to Begin Rehabilitation of Colonial Parkway August 14, 2023. First major, holistic rehabilitation project since 1957 https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/2023-colonial-parkway-rehab.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-nhp-celebrates-independence-day.htm Sun, 25 Jun 2023 10:05:00 EST On July 4, 2023, celebrate a fee free Independence Day in historic Yorktown, where American and French troops defeated the British in the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War.    Colonial National Historical Park is partnering with York County to provide activities throughout the day. Highlights include a parade through town in the morning, self-guided tours of the Nelson House in the afternoon, and fireworks in the evening. More information and weather-related event updates can be found at VisitYorktown.org.   https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-nhp-celebrates-independence-day.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-and-u-s-coast-guard-honor-memorial-day-at-yorktown.htm Thu, 08 Jun 2023 11:21:00 EST Yorktown, VA – Memorial Day is a day we remember and honor those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. military. This year, Colonial National Historical Park partnered with the U.S Coast Guard Training Center at Yorktown to place 1,596 American flags on each marked grave in the Yorktown National Cemetery. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-and-u-s-coast-guard-honor-memorial-day-at-yorktown.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-hosts-clean-the-bay-day-event.htm Thu, 08 Jun 2023 11:02:00 EST On June 3, 2023, Colonial National Historical Park partnered with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation to host two litter pickups at separate locations along the Colonial Parkway. Approximately 50 volunteers from local businesses and the community picked up over 650lbs of trash during the three-hour event. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-hosts-clean-the-bay-day-event.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-mtg-parkway-rehab-2023.htm Thu, 08 Jun 2023 06:21:00 EST Those interested in learning more about the upcoming extensive rehabilitation project for the Colonial Parkway are invited to attend an informational public meeting on Thursday, June 22, 2023, from 6-8 p.m. The meeting will be held at Quarterpath Recreation Center in Williamsburg. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-mtg-parkway-rehab-2023.htm https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm Tue, 04 Apr 2023 07:20:00 EST Most forests in eastern United States national parks are at risk due to browsing by overabundant white-tailed deer and crowding by invasive plants, according to a National Park Service (NPS) study published in the journal Ecological Applications. https://www.nps.gov/cato/learn/news/reducing-deer-numbers-and-removing-invasive-plants-are-key-to-long-term-forest-health.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-publishes-two-historical-studies-surfacing-tragedy-and-resilience-in-black-recreation.htm Mon, 03 Apr 2023 07:30:00 EST National Park Service (NPS) and partner historians presented their findings from the African American Outdoor Recreation and Segregation in Virginia Parks, 1916-1965 studies on March 31 at the Organization of American Historians conference in Los Angeles. These two studies, which examine histories of institutional segregation, loss and tragedy, but also of joy and resilience associated with African American outdoor recreation, anchored the panel's discussion on how the stories of recreational sites can enrich public understandings of racial segregation and Black freedom struggles in America’s past and present. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/national-park-service-publishes-two-historical-studies-surfacing-tragedy-and-resilience-in-black-recreation.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-nhp-receives-funding-from-great-american-outdoors-act-for-122-8-million-rehabilitation-of-colonial-parkway.htm Fri, 03 Mar 2023 07:06:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park announces the award of $122.8 million for the Colonial Parkway Rehabilitation project, funded through the Great American Outdoors Act in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration. The project will repair and extend the life of approximately 10.3 miles of the Colonial Parkway, including all associated structures and components in the affected sections. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-nhp-receives-funding-from-great-american-outdoors-act-for-122-8-million-rehabilitation-of-colonial-parkway.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-receives-funding-from-great-american-outdoors-act-for-york-river-shoreline-stabilization.htm Tue, 28 Feb 2023 03:46:00 EST Colonial National Historical Park announces a $11.2 million York River shoreline stabilization project in the park funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA). https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-receives-funding-from-great-american-outdoors-act-for-york-river-shoreline-stabilization.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/archeology-hidden-histories-uncovered-on-jamestown-island.htm Sat, 25 Feb 2023 03:14:00 EST Archeologists from Colonial National Historical Park and the Northeast Archeological Resources Program will be on site Saturday, March 4, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Visitors will have the chance to interact with archeologists, learn more about what they are uncovering, and touch artifacts uncovered during the excavations. A live stream from the remote location of the excavation will begin at 1:00 near the parking lot of the visitor center. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/archeology-hidden-histories-uncovered-on-jamestown-island.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-review-notice-wetland-and-floodplain-statement-of-findings-shoreline-repair-and-stabilization-to-york-river-shoreline.htm Wed, 07 Dec 2022 08:56:00 EST The National Park Service is making available for public review and comment a wetland and floodplain statement of findings for planned repairs and stabilization of a portion of the York River shoreline that has been severely eroding and is threatening the integrity of Colonial Parkway at Colonial National Historical Park. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-review-notice-wetland-and-floodplain-statement-of-findings-shoreline-repair-and-stabilization-to-york-river-shoreline.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-review-notice-wetland-and-floodplain-statement-of-findings.htm Mon, 05 Dec 2022 07:20:00 EST The National Park Service is making available for public review and comment a wetland and floodplain statement of findings for planned repairs and stabilization of a portion of the York River shoreline. The statement of findings will be on public review for 15 days, with comments accepted through December 20, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/public-review-notice-wetland-and-floodplain-statement-of-findings.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/tourism-to-colonial-national-historical-park-creates-over-453-million-in-economic-benefits.htm Sun, 17 Jul 2022 10:42:00 EST A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 3,114,420 visitors to Colonial National Historical Park in 2021 spent $336,833,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 5,039 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $453,114,000. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/tourism-to-colonial-national-historical-park-creates-over-453-million-in-economic-benefits.htm https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/director-sams-tours-hampton-roads-area-national-parks.htm Thu, 05 May 2022 11:10:00 EST Last week, National Park Service (NPS) Director Chuck Sams visited Colonial National Historical Park in Yorktown, Fort Monroe National Monument in Hampton, and Werowocomoco in Gloucester County, part of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail to learn about the vast diversity of these significant sites and the work that will need to be done to continue their preservation. https://www.nps.gov/orgs/1207/director-sams-tours-hampton-roads-area-national-parks.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-announces-2022-parkway-rec-days.htm Mon, 25 Apr 2022 09:09:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park invites the community to recreate on a seven-mile section of the Colonial Parkway on three weekend days this year: Sunday, May 15, Saturday, June 11 and Sunday, November 6. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-announces-2022-parkway-rec-days.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-close-intermittently.htm Mon, 21 Mar 2022 14:55:00 EST The Island Loop Drive on Jamestown Island in Colonial National Historical Park will be closed intermittently during the final weeks of March and during the months of April, May, and June to allow turtles to move safely through their wetland habitat. Additional closures may occur sporadically throughout the year as conditions warrant. The National Park Service will close this tour road to vehicle traffic at the gate located just past the Jamestown Island Visitor Center. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/jamestown-island-loop-drive-to-close-intermittently.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/new-private-vessel-regulations.htm Thu, 16 Dec 2021 10:41:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) announced yesterday new regulations governing the launching and landing of private vessels at Colonial National Historical Park that will go into effect on January 14, 2022. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/new-private-vessel-regulations.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/marr-super.htm Wed, 13 Oct 2021 06:54:00 EST National Park Service Regional Director Gay Vietzke has named Jerri Marr as the new superintendent of Colonial National Historical Park, effective November 21. She will also provide oversight of Fort Monroe National Monument and the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/marr-super.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/parkway-rec-day-10-23-2021.htm Mon, 04 Oct 2021 05:57:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park invites the community to recreate on a seven-mile section of the Colonial Parkway on Saturday, October 23. Park staff will close the Parkway to vehicle access between Hwy 199/Kingspoint and Rt. 359 at Jamestown from 7:00 am-12:00 pm. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/parkway-rec-day-10-23-2021.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-to-align-road-based-commercial-tours-to-per-person-fee-schedule-in-2022.htm Wed, 02 Jun 2021 11:17:00 EST Effective May 20, 2022 the National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park will align the Road Based Commercial Tour operator’s fee schedule to a per person fee to provide consistency in fees across all visitors to the park. The NPS is required to notify commercial tour operators one year prior for any change in any entrance fee that may affect their rates. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-to-align-road-based-commercial-tours-to-per-person-fee-schedule-in-2022.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeks-public-input.htm Wed, 28 Apr 2021 12:11:00 EST Yorktown, Virginia – The National Park Service (NPS) at Colonial National Historical Park is seeking public comments regarding a proposal to implement recurring, temporary closures of a seven-mile portion of the Colonial Parkway to motor vehicles. The temporary closures would take place between Route 199 Kingspoint in Williamsburg and Route 359 near the entrance to Jamestown Island. The purpose of the proposed temporary, recurring closures would be to offer recreational opportunities to experience the Parkway free from motor vehicle traffic. The proposed closure could be for various durations at various times each year, based on public input. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeks-public-input.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeks-proposals-for-adaptive-use-of-somerwell-house.htm Tue, 27 Apr 2021 08:14:00 EST 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 250th commemoration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026 and the victory at Yorktown in 2031. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeks-proposals-for-adaptive-use-of-somerwell-house.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/national-park-service-hosts-virtual-program-the-lives-of-monuments-victory-and-alliance-at-yorktown-on-april-15.htm Fri, 02 Apr 2021 10:23:00 EST “The Lives of Monuments: Victory and Alliance at Yorktown” is a virtual program that brings scholars, National Park Rangers, and members of the public together to consider the Yorktown Victory Monument and the memory of the American Revolution in the South. The free program will be held on Zoom on Thursday April 15th from 6:00-7:30pm EST. To register: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0PaPUuEuQiWMuxzs31WLRg. Tune in ten minutes early to see a slideshow of photographs of the monument. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/national-park-service-hosts-virtual-program-the-lives-of-monuments-victory-and-alliance-at-yorktown-on-april-15.htm https://www.nps.gov/cajo/learn/news/03-18-21-ancestral-lands-corps.htm Thu, 18 Mar 2021 10:16:00 EST The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail (Chesapeake Trail) is pleased to announce that its first cohort of interns has completed the inaugural Ancestral Lands Corps Individual Placement Program at Werowocomoco, the historic capital of the Powhatan chiefdom and a site of international and historical significance located on Virginia's York River. https://www.nps.gov/cajo/learn/news/03-18-21-ancestral-lands-corps.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-news-release.htm Thu, 22 Oct 2020 12:02:00 EST Temporary Closure of Colonial Parkway Williamsburg Tunnel https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-news-release.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeking-public-input-on-proposed-amendment-to-special-regulations.htm Fri, 09 Oct 2020 07:18:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) is soliciting public input on a proposal to amend the special regulations for Colonial National Historical Park. The rule would remove a regulation that prevents the Superintendent from designating sites within the park for launching and landing private vessels. The rule also would remove outdated permit and fee requirements for commercial passenger-carrying vehicles. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-national-historical-park-seeking-public-input-on-proposed-amendment-to-special-regulations.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-parkway-williamsburg-tunnel-temporary-closure.htm Tue, 25 Aug 2020 05:42:00 EST The National Park Service (NPS) will close the Williamsburg Tunnel on the Colonial Parkway from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm on Friday, August 28, 2020. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-parkway-williamsburg-tunnel-temporary-closure.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-parkway-williamsburg-tunnel-closed-for-maintenance.htm Wed, 15 Jan 2020 07:35:00 EST Williamsburg, Va. – The Williamsburg Tunnel on the Colonial Parkway will be closed for maintenance from Monday, February 3 through Monday, March 2, 2020. Work will include saw-cutting and replacing damaged pavement, sealing roadway joints, sweeping and pressure washing the road surface, installing a center line, repairing the brickwork in the south portal arch, upgrading some of the light fixtures and replacing bulbs. The National Park Service scheduled concurrent work to minimize the length of time required for the closure and to avoid multiple closures. Detour signs will divert Jamestown-bound traffic at the Parkway traffic circle, along Visitor Center Drive to South Henry Street, to the Newport Avenue interchange with the Parkway. Signs at all turns will indicate “Colonial Parkway Jamestown Detour.” Yorktown-bound traffic will follow the detour in the opposite direction and signs at all turns will indicate “Colonial Parkway Yorktown Detour.” https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/colonial-parkway-williamsburg-tunnel-closed-for-maintenance.htm https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/-northeast-region-selects-outstanding-volunteers.htm Wed, 28 Aug 2019 05:48:00 EST The Colonial National Historical Park VIP Program had the most success it’s seen in the last ten years, thanks to the work of hundreds of volunteers, dedicated partners, and supportive park staff. https://www.nps.gov/colo/learn/news/-northeast-region-selects-outstanding-volunteers.htm