Victory At Yorktown 242nd Anniversary Celebration is Saturday, October 14, 2023
The 242nd anniversary of America’s momentous 1781 Revolutionary War victory at Yorktown will be celebrated Saturday, October 14 at the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown with artillery firings, military programs and music. Visitors can interact with Revolutionary War re-enactors and take part in interpretive demonstrations, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2023 YORKTOWN VICTORY CELEBRATION SCHEDULE Time Location Description All Day Continental Army encampment Battle of the Capes Discover the contributions of free and enslaved pilots during what is considered the most significant naval battle in American history. All Day Revolution-era farm Life on the Farm Discover the variety of activities that would have been part of daily life on the farm for both the free and enslaved farmers, including cooking, gardening, basket-weaving and pastimes. 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Revolution-era farm 18th-century FoodwaysIndigenous people contributed to both sides of the American Revolution, while some remained neutral. Their food culture, as well as that of enslaved people from West Central Africa, contributed to what we recognize today as “American” food. Explore the convergence of cultures through food at the farm kitchen and enslaved people’s quarters. 10:30 a.m. & 1:30 p.m. Continental Army encampment Meet a Person of the Past: Jean-Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, comte de Rochambeau Enjoy this first-person encounter with Comte de Rochambeau, a French nobleman and general who led the French forces during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Michael Halbert. 11 a.m. Continental Army encampment Fifes and Drums of York Town Enjoy the martial music of the 18th century. 11:30 a.m. & 3:30 p.m. Continental Army encampment Artillery DemonstrationsJoin the artillery crew and learn firsthand about the importance of artillery during the Siege of Yorktown. Then cover your ears as the 18th-century crew fires the weapon! 12:30 p.m. & 2:30 p.m. Education Center Classrooms Complex Decisions: Seeking Freedom on Both SidesJoin Harvey Bakari, senior curator of Black History and Culture, as he shares how Black soldiers and women made complex decisions for freedom with either the Americans or the British during the American Revolutionary War. 1 p.m. Continental Army encampment Drill!Fall in line as a Continental soldier and practice drilling with a flintlock musket.
Interpretive Demonstrations & Musical Performances
Visitors to the Continental Army encampment will discover aspects of military life, from enlistment to troop supplies and flintlock muskets to 18th-century medical care. Throughout the day, visitors can discover military tactics on land and at sea with a look at the Battle of the Capes, one of the most significant naval battles in American history.
Artillery demonstrations, showcasing the varied roles of the artillery crew, will take place in the outdoor amphitheater at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., followed by the crew firing a salute in honor of the victory at Yorktown.
The Fifes and Drums of York Town will perform at 11 a.m. Guests can enjoy a first-person encounter with Comte de Rochambeau, a French nobleman and general who led the French forces during the Siege of Yorktown, as portrayed by Michael Halbert, at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Farm visitors can learn about typical life of a Revolution-era farming family. Special demonstrations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. will explore 18th-century foodways and the convergence of cultures through food at the farm kitchen and enslaved people’s quarters. Visitors also can enjoy demonstrations on gardening, basket-weaving and pastimes.
More information about this event can be found here