Historic Triangle facts for kids
The Historic Triangle is a special area in Virginia, United States. It includes three important colonial towns: Jamestown, Colonial Williamsburg, and Yorktown. These towns are located on the Virginia Peninsula, with the York River to the north and the James River to the south. Many old buildings and sites have been restored here. A beautiful road called the Colonial Parkway connects these three historic places.
A wise man named Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, who helped create Colonial Williamsburg, once said, "Williamsburg is Jamestown continued, and Yorktown is Williamsburg vindicated." This means that Williamsburg carried on the ideas from Jamestown, and Yorktown proved that those ideas were right.
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Colonial Parkway: A Scenic Drive
The National Park Service built the Colonial Parkway to connect the three historic sites of Colonial Virginia. It's a beautiful road that keeps you away from modern buildings and shops. This helps visitors feel like they've gone back in time. You can see rivers, natural areas, and even wildlife along the way.
There are places to pull over and enjoy the view, especially near the James River and York River. The Colonial Parkway is free to use. It starts in Yorktown, goes through Colonial Williamsburg, and ends in Jamestown. Regular cars can use it, but big commercial trucks are not allowed.
Jamestown Ferry: Crossing the River
Some visitors arrive at the Historic Triangle by crossing the James River on a ferry. These ferries leave from Surry County. You can drive your car onto one of the four Jamestown Ferries, like the Pocahontas or Williamsburg. While crossing, you can get out of your car and enjoy the view from an enclosed area with restrooms.
On a nice day, as you approach Jamestown Island, you might see it much like the first colonists did. Near the ferry landing, you can see copies of Christopher Newport's three small ships: the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery. The Jamestown Ferry service is free.
Jamestown: Where English America Began
Jamestown was the very first permanent English settlement in the New World. It was founded on May 13, 1607. Today, there are two main historic sites to explore in Jamestown.
One is Jamestown Settlement, which is a living history museum. Here, you can see a rebuilt Native American village, a colonial fort, and the replica ships. The state of Virginia runs this museum.
The other site is Historic Jamestowne. This is a National Park Service site that includes Jamestown Island. Here, archaeologists are still working to uncover amazing discoveries from the past.
Williamsburg: The Colonial Capital
In 1699, the capital of Virginia moved from Jamestown to a higher area called Middle Plantation. Students from William and Mary College, which opened there in 1693, suggested the move. Middle Plantation was soon renamed Williamsburg to honor King William III. It was a very busy city until the American Revolution.
During the Revolution in 1780, the capital moved again, this time to Richmond, for safety. Williamsburg became a quiet town for almost 150 years. Then, in the early 1900s, Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller Jr., a wealthy businessman, had a dream. They wanted to restore the old colonial capital city to look just as it did in the 1700s. They worked for many years to make this dream come true.
Today, their hard work has created Colonial Williamsburg. It's a huge living museum that shows what early American life was like. It has 88 original buildings and many more that have been rebuilt or restored. Actors in period costumes bring history to life. Colonial Williamsburg is a very popular place for tourists. There's a Visitor's Center where you can watch a short movie and park your car, as cars are not allowed in the historic area. Shuttle buses are available to take you around.
Yorktown: The End of the Revolution
Yorktown is the third important point of the Historic Triangle. This is where General Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington in 1781. This was the last major land battle of the American Revolution.
In Yorktown, you can visit two large visitor centers and drive through the historic battlefield. The waterfront area is also very nice. The historic downtown area has many buildings that date back to before the American Revolution.
Fun Things to Do Nearby
While the Historic Triangle areas show you the past, there are also many modern attractions nearby. You can find hotels, restaurants, shops, and other fun places.
Other popular attractions include:
- Busch Gardens is a theme park with exciting rides and shows. It's located near Williamsburg.
- Williamsburg Pottery Factory is a large shopping area located a few miles west of Williamsburg on U.S. Route 60.
- Water Country USA is a fun water park located near Williamsburg.
- The Williamsburg Winery is Virginia's largest winery. It's on a 320-acre farm in Williamsburg.
- Go-Karts Plus is another theme park near Williamsburg. It's next to the Williamsburg Pottery Factory on U.S. Route 60.
