Colonial National Historical Park, National historical park in Williamsburg, US
Colonial National Historical Park is a national park in Williamsburg that spans about 23 miles between the York and James Rivers and connects three major sites through the Colonial Parkway. The grounds include the remains of Jamestown, the Yorktown battlefield, and other important locations from the early American colonial period.
The park was the site of the Yorktown battle in 1781, when General George Washington and French allies defeated British forces and secured American independence. Jamestown, one of the park's locations, was the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607.
The park reflects the blending of European, Virginia Indian, and African influences that shaped early American life during the colonial era. You can see these different perspectives represented across the historical sites.
The park is large and spread across different sections, so it helps to plan ahead to decide which areas you want to visit. Many areas offer self-guided walks and informational displays, so you can explore at your own pace.
Excavations at Historic Jamestowne uncovered glass furnaces in 1948, revealing the remains of North America's first glass-making facility from 1608. These discoveries show that early colonists were running industrial production much earlier than people realized.
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