Werowocomoco

Werowocomoco is a historical settlement site on the York River in Gloucester County that served as the political center of the Powhatan Confederacy. The protected landscape covers roughly 264 acres and reveals traces of residential buildings, meeting grounds, and other structures from the period before European contact.

The location served for centuries as the seat of Powhatan chiefs and was the setting for diplomatic encounters with English settlers in the early 1600s. Excavations began in the second half of the 20th century and have uncovered hundreds of objects documenting life before the colonial period.

Archaeological excavations have uncovered extensive collections of pottery, tools, and ceremonial objects that demonstrate the rich Native American traditions.

Access to the site is limited because it is a protected area under the management of the National Park Service. Visitors should check ahead for availability and access rules, as not all parts of the property are open to the public.

Seven tribes in Virginia continue to remember their ancestors who lived here and shaped the political life of the region. Descendants of the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Rappahannock, Upper Mattaponi, and Nansemond consider the location part of their shared history.