Before The Siege 2026: The British Come to Yorktown

The British are coming! Join us for Before the Siege 2026

York County Economic Development and Tourism

Yorktown 1781: Before the Siege – The British Come to Yorktown. Step into the past on September 12-13 and discover Yorktown as it may have appeared in September 1781, during the tense weeks when His Majesty’s forces — commanded by Lieutenant General Charles, Earl Cornwallis — occupied the town and braced for the impending siege.

Experience Yorktown Under British Occupation. Stand on the very ground where history unfolded 245 years ago and gain a firsthand sense of what life looked and felt like on the eve of the siege. Watch British soldiers drill, maintain equipment, and carry out their daily duties as they prepare for conflict. Meet townspeople going about their lives under military supervision, while navigating shortages and the uncertainties of war.

Explore the British Perspective.This immersive experience highlights the British story at Yorktown: their strategies, challenges, and rapid adaptations to the shifting landscape of the American Rebellion. Engage directly with His Majesty’s forces and learn what it meant to serve, survive, and make decisions in 1781, when the fate of an empire hung in the balance.

Immersive Demonstrations & Living History. Join us for an exciting lineup of demonstrations and hand-on activities throughout both days. (All programs subject to change or cancellation.)

• Musket Firing Demonstrations (near the Nelson House) 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.
• Cannon Firing Demonstrations (behind the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center) 10:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., and 12:45 p.m.
• Manual of Arms Demonstrations (York Hall) 11 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 3 p.m.
• Military Drills (Redoubts 9 & 10) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Royal Navy Encampment (Main Street) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Camp Followers Encampment (Main Street near Mobjack's) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Lord Cornwallis Headquarters (Nelson House) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Loyalists Display (Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Colonial Women Seamstress' Display (York Hall) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Poor Potter Archeology Hands-On Activities (Poor Potter Site on Read Street) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Ranger Programs (Nelson House) ongoing from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.