Yorktown Timeline

The story of the American Revolution begins along the “Road to Revolution,” an open-air walkway that traces events leading to the American colonies’ split from Britain. American and British perspectives are reflected in quotes from individuals who had a role in the conflict.

Four open-sided exhibit pavilions interpret significant events, publications, individuals and places of the period, using text and graphics. The “Treaty” pavilion explores the effect of the Seven Years War on the relationship between the colonies and Britain. The war was ended by the 1763 Treaty of Paris and resulted in France giving up most claims to North American territories. “Taxes” describes American resistance to a series of measures by Britain to raise money from the colonies to help pay the war debt. Events of 1773 and 1774 – the passage of the Tea Act, the Boston Tea Party and the First Continental Congress – are cited in the timeline leading to the “Tea” pavilion that discusses how “irresolvable the conflict had become.” Just inside the building, a fourth pavilion, “Troops,” describes the beginnings of armed conflict.

The timeline continues throughout the indoor galleries.