Theme
A museum of the American Revolution, the Yorktown Victory Center chronicles America’s struggle for independence from the beginnings of colonial unrest to the formation of the new nation.  Thematic exhibits and living-history programs relate the experiences of ordinary men and women who lived during the Revolutionary era.

Location
On Route 1020 in Yorktown; adjacent to Colonial National Historical Park, which encompasses Yorktown Battlefield, and 12 miles from Williamsburg. Six miles from Interstate 64, Exit 247.

Exhibit Areas
Events that led to the American colonies declaring independence from Britain are chronicled along an open-air walkway leading to indoor exhibits. The Declaration of Independence Gallery explores the document that articulated radical ideas inspiring decisive action. The Witnesses to Revolution Gallery presents the stories of a representative and diverse group of 10 people whose lives were profoundly affected by the Revolution.  The Converging on Yorktown Gallery describes the multinational nature of forces that converged on Yorktown in the fall of 1781 and highlights the Betsy and other British ships scuttled or lost in the York River during the Siege of Yorktown.  A Time of Revolution, an evocative 18-minute film set in an encampment at night during the Yorktown siege, dramatizes the musings and recollections of an array of individuals.  “The Legacy of Yorktown: Virginia Beckons” exhibition examines how people from many different cultures shaped a new society and the development of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.  In an outdoor re-created Continental Army encampment, historical interpreters describe and depict the daily life of American soldiers during the last year of the war.  A re-created 1780s farm that includes a dwelling, kitchen, tobacco barn, crop fields, and herb and vegetable garden, shows how many Americans lived in the decade following the military end of the Revolution.

Historical Perspectives
Yorktown was the site of the climactic battle of the American Revolution. In early Fall 1781, Washington and Rochambeau had the British army trapped along the shores of the York River.  The allied armies had all the land routes blocked.  The French navy blockaded escape by sea.  Cornwallis had no option but to surrender to the combined forces.
 
Hours of Operation
Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily year-round, until 6 p.m. June 15 through August 15.  Closed on New Year’s and Christmas days.  Allow a minimum of two hours for a visit.

2008 Admission Rates
Adults, $9.25; children ages 6 through 12, $5.00.  Discount for groups of 15 or more.  Combination ticket with Jamestown Settlement:  adults, $19.25; ages 6-12, $9.25.  Annual pass with Jamestown Settlement: adults, $35; ages 6-12, $17.50.  Parking is free.

Visitor Amenities
The gift shop complements and extends the museum experience with a comprehensive selection of books, prints, artifact reproductions, educational toys and games, jewelry and mementos.  A snack and beverage vending area with patio seating is nearby.  A museum admission ticket is not required to visit the gift shop or snack area.  Hours of operation correspond with museum hours.

Administration
Operated by the Jamestown-Yorktown Foundation, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia accredited by the American Association of Museums. 
   Co-Chairmen:  Vincent F. Callahan, Jr., and Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
   Executive Director:  Philip G. Emerson.
   Senior Director of Museum Operations and Education:  Joseph A. Gutierrez, Jr.
         
Museum History
Opened April 1, 1976, as one of three bicentennial centers in Virginia. A major expansion and renovation of the Yorktown Victory Center culminated on April 11, 1995, with the grand opening of new exhibition galleries.  The project was guided by a master plan that called for the museum’s theme to be broadened to encompass the formation of a new government after the Revolution and to interpret the Revolution from diverse points of view. A renovated Declaration of Independence entrance gallery and long-term exhibition, “The Legacy of Yorktown: Virginia Beckons,” debuted in October 2006.
  
Inquiries from the general public should be directed to (888) 593-4682 toll-free or (757)253-4838.

1/2008