Yorktown Battlefield: Self-Guided Driving Audio Tour

Things to do on the Tour Include:

• Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center

  Begin your journey at the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center, where a single battle decided the Revolutionary War and paved the way for a new independent nation.

• Leadup to the Battle

  Set in 1781, the war is taking a toll on American forces. George Washington seeks a decisive victory and chooses Yorktown as the target due to the French naval blockade.

• Redoubt 9

  Explore Redoubt 9, an earthwork fortification where the French launch a daring night assault, breaching the British defense and marking a turning point.

• Redoubt 10

  Discover Redoubt 10, where Alexander Hamilton leads the American assault simultaneously with the French's attack, capturing both redoubts and breaking the British line.

• Moore House

  Arrive at the Moore House, where the British surrender is negotiated after the simultaneous capture of the redoubts.

• Compromises

  Learn about the compromises made during negotiations to ensure a smooth surrender, including Washington's guarantee of equal shares for the French.

• The Negotiations

  Witness the refusal of "war honors" for the British surrender, symbolizing a reversal of roles on the battlefield.

• The Siege

  Understand the strategic siege tactics used by Washington's forces, encircling the British and preventing their reinforcements, leading to Cornwallis's dire situation.

• The French and American Alliance

  Appreciate the crucial role of the French in supporting the American forces, both through their troops and the naval blockade.

• Seven Years’ War

  Delve into the context of the Seven Years' War, a global conflict that set the stage for the Revolutionary War.

• North American Front

  Explore the North American front of the Seven Years' War, known as the French and Indian War, which significantly impacted the outcome of the larger conflict.

• General George Washington

  Explore the leadership of George Washington, a seasoned commander who led the Colonies through the Revolution's challenges.

• Washington's Headquarters

  Visit the site of Washington's headquarters during the battle, where strategies were devised for the final stages of the Revolution.

• French Artillery Park

  Discover the significance of the French artillery, crucial in battering the British fortifications and securing the victory.

• Aftermath

  Learn about the global consequences of the American victory, leading to the end of the Revolutionary War and the Treaty of Paris.

• An Independent Nation

  Experience the birth of the United States as an independent nation, crafting a new constitution and electing George Washington as its first president.

• Grand French Battery

  Observe the Grand French Battery site, where a concentration of artillery, including cannons and mortars, played a key role in the battle.

• Yorktown National Cemetery

  Encounter Yorktown National Cemetery, a Civil War burial ground, reflecting the site's significance beyond the Revolutionary War and honoring soldiers like Private William Scott.

• Yorktown Victory Monument

  Our journey concludes at the Yorktown Victory Monument, erected in 1881 to commemorate the colonies' victory and the birth of the nation, featuring symbolic sculpted forms and Lady Liberty overseeing the new nation's growth.