- State: VA
- NPCA Region: Mid-Atlantic
- Est. Date: 1930
Air Quality Conditions
View the Polluted Parks ReportVisibility
Unsatisfactory
Health
Unsatisfactory
Nature
Significant Concern
Climate Change Threats
Colonial National Historical Park contains several sites of critical importance in the history of America. Historic Jamestown is where the story of Captain John Smith and Pocahontas actually happened, and where the roots of American government first took hold. Yorktown Battlefield was the site of the Colonial victory over British forces in the American Revolution, and where visitors can still view some of the original earthworks constructed by George Washington’s troops. These two sites are linked together by the 23-mile long scenic Colonial Parkway, specifically designed to limit the impacts of the roadway on the surrounding landscape.
-
Blog Post
10 Parks Getting a Boost Through the Great American Outdoors Act
2020’s historic investment continues to improve our national parks. Read about some of the latest park maintenance and repair projects underway and why NPCA urges Congress to extend the act’s…
-
Blog Post
9 Not-So-Cute Endangered Animals That Live in Our Parks
Celebrate Endangered Species Day with these curious critters
My Park Story
Greetings from Colonial National Historical Park
I still remember when I fell in love with US History. It was April 8, 1957, at the Hamilton Redoubt at Yorktown. I know this because my dad numbered, indexed, and date stamped his slides. We were there for the Jamestown 350th. I remember scrambling up that redoubt and thinking…
More about Colonial
Filter By
-
Read more about Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area
NPCA at Work Support the Proposed Chesapeake National Recreation Area The Chesapeake Bay is worth inclusion in the National Park System to enhance public access and protection.
-
Read more about Protect Historic Jamestown
NPCA at Work Protect Historic Jamestown The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers authorized Dominion Energy to construct enormous electric transmission towers throughout a historic landscape without ever preparing an environmental impact statement. But now we have the opportunity to make things right for Historic Jamestown.
-
Read more about A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake
Resource A Watershed Moment for the Chesapeake The largest estuary in North America, the Chesapeake Bay watershed encompasses 64,000 square miles including six states and the District of Columbia—it’s a thriving ecosystem that has sustained Native peoples for centuries and played a pivotal role in American history. With its ecological and cultural significance, the Chesapeake has become a symbol of the delicate balance between human activity and nature.
-
Read more about Park Talks
Regional Events Park Talks Join our NPCA community for virtual "Park Talks" to learn about our work and ways you can get involved.
-
Read more about Parks Group Files Opposition Brief in Lawsuit Over Illegally-Permitted Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown
Press Release Parks Group Files Opposition Brief in Lawsuit Over Illegally-Permitted Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown Dominion Energy has played loose and fast with the courts and prioritized irresponsible development over historic Jamestown and nearby national parks.
-
Read more about Halls of Independence
Blog Post Halls of Independence Did you know that four national park sites preserve the homes of signers of the Declaration of Independence?
-
Read more about Court’s Order Sides with Parks Group, Another Positive Step Towards Protecting Historic Jamestown
Press Release Court’s Order Sides with Parks Group, Another Positive Step Towards Protecting Historic Jamestown Today’s Court ruling makes clear that the Army Corps illegally approved Dominion Energy’s permit to build a massive transmission line across the James River.
-
Read more about Victory! Court Ruling Supports Park Advocates for Protecting Historic Jamestown
Press Release Victory! Court Ruling Supports Park Advocates for Protecting Historic Jamestown Today’s decision could resolve six-year battle to preserve American history
-
Read more about Parks Group Appeals Judge’s Ruling that Allows Construction of Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown
Press Release Parks Group Appeals Judge’s Ruling that Allows Construction of Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown NPCA continues to fight in court to protect one of our nation’s most historic regions.
-
Read more about Federal District Court Ruling Allows Construction of Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown to Continue
Press Release Federal District Court Ruling Allows Construction of Dominion Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown to Continue Today’s ruling puts centuries of American history in jeopardy.
-
Read more about Parks Group Files Intent to Sue Over Endangered Species Act Violations at Historic Jamestown and James River
Press Release Parks Group Files Intent to Sue Over Endangered Species Act Violations at Historic Jamestown and James River New information reveals that federal agencies overlooked the presence of endangered juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon in the James River at Jamestown.
-
Read more about 10 National Park Trip Ideas for President Trump
Blog Post 10 National Park Trip Ideas for President Trump Would President Trump do more to protect national parks if he took time to visit them? Here are 10 inspirational places I’d put at the top of his bucket list.
-
Read more about Court Allows Dominion Energy to Continue Construction of Massive Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown
Press Release Court Allows Dominion Energy to Continue Construction of Massive Transmission Line at Historic Jamestown Today's decision allows Dominion to proceed with construction of this project through one of America’s most historic regions.
-
Read more about National Park Leaders Honored with Stephen T. Mather Award
Press Release National Park Leaders Honored with Stephen T. Mather Award NPCA presented its annual Stephen T. Mather award to Mojave National Preserve Chief of Resources Debra Hughson and the late Frank Hays, who most recently served in the Park Service’s Northeast Regional Office. The Mather award is named after the first director of the National Park Service, and given to individuals who have shown steadfast leadership and persistent dedication to our national parks.
-
Read more about Dominion’s Proposed Transmission Towers - Issues and Alternatives
Report Dominion’s Proposed Transmission Towers - Issues and Alternatives This report finds that the basis for the proposed project is flawed and there is time to determine – and implement – better ways of supplying reliable electricity to the area.
-
Read more about Must Jamestown’s Historic Character Be Destroyed?
Fact Sheet Must Jamestown’s Historic Character Be Destroyed? Must Jamestown’s Historic Character Be Destroyed? Could other options provide sufficient, reliable power without ruining this historic area? Alternatives must be analyzed and evaluated by the public.
-
Read more about Protecting Our Chesapeake, Protecting Our National Parks
Report Protecting Our Chesapeake, Protecting Our National Parks The Chesapeake Bay watershed is home to more than 50 national park units. Shenandoah National Park in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, Gettysburg National Military Park in Pennsylvania, and the C&O Canal National Historical Park along the Potomac River are just a few of the parks that share this common bond. Their streams and rivers, along with many others in the expansive watershed, ultimately flow into the Chesapeake Bay, which is recognized as one of America’s Great Waters.
-
Read more about Making Connections: Colonial National Historical Park
Report Making Connections: Colonial National Historical Park Every national park exists in a context. Colonial National Historical Park’s context is marked by a long tradition of support and partnership. Uniquely, Colonial NHP connects an array of public and private sites that complement each other in preserving and interpreting a rich history spanning the American colonial period and beyond.
Donate
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now