Sept. 11, 2026 |
It's Friday - and a day of reflection as we commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks that claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
Today's newsletter concludes with details about local events commemorating 9/11, as well as multimedia coverage from other outlets.
Weather: Temperatures will dip back down into the 80s for the weekend, but it will feel more like the low to mid 90s as high humidity lingers.
Showers and storms are possible on both Saturday and Sunday, according to WTKR News 3 Meteorologist Myles Henderson.
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The 5-day dew point forecast. (Image by Myles Henderson/WTKR News 3) |
More comfortable conditions are on the way as the humidity begins to decline midweek.
Now to the news.
-Christin |
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Living history weekend to illuminate 'extraordinary stories' from Yorktown during British occupation |
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British troop reenactors firing rifles at Yorktown Battlefield. (Photo courtesy of Visit Yorktown) |
Colonial National Historical Park will host a weekend-long, immersive event to illuminate life in colonial Yorktown prior to the victory of the Allied forces.
"Yorktown 1781: Before the Siege" invites the public to travel back in time and experience historic Main Street when it was still a bustling, British-occupied town.
Slated for Sept. 12 and 13, the living history event highlights the weeks leading up to the history-altering Siege of Yorktown.
Guests will witness the daily routines, military preparations and personal stories from soldiers and residents who navigated the uncertainty of the American Revolution's final major engagement.
“The weekend offers a unique chance to step directly into Yorktown’s past,” said Colonial National Historical Park Superintendent Jerri Marr. “This program is one of many special events leading us toward the 250th anniversary of the Surrender at Yorktown in 2031 — each designed to deepen connections to the extraordinary stories preserved here.”
Park rangers and living history volunteers will present a variety of programs and activities each day, including historic weapons demonstrations, military drills and camp life interpretation, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Looking back: The Yorktown battle was decisive but brutal for British troops
Generals Washington and Rochambeau arrived in Williamsburg on Sept. 14, 1781, where they met General Lafayette, who commanded American forces in Virginia. The allied troops soon followed behind with a trove of supplies and equipment.
The Siege of Yorktown formally began on Sept. 28, when the allies marched from Williamsburg to Yorktown to take on Cornwallis's 7,500-man army.
After days of intense battle and mounting British troop casualties, Cornwallis planned an escape from Yorktown on Oct. 16. Able-bodied troops began crossing the river by ferry to Gloucester Point, but a sudden severe storm forced them to abandon their evacuation effort.
The allies strengthened their control around Yorktown in the weeks that followed. By Oct. 17, Cornwallis had run out of heavy ammunition, writing that many of his men had become disabled, fallen ill with dysentery and smallpox and had little food other than "rancid meat and wormy biscuits."
The British garrison at Yorktown marched to Surrender Field to lay down their arms on Oct. 19, marking what the Historical Marker Database calls "the greatest and most decisive victory" of the Revolutionary War, leading the way to American independence.
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An interpreter demonstrates a Revolutionary-era sewing project. (Photo courtesy of Visit Yorktown) |
'Before the Siege' aims to shed light on the 'whole story'
Event organizer Michael Rolla said "Before the Siege" aims to dispel some misinformation about the British soldiers, who have historically been painted as barbaric due to propaganda distributed by the patriots.
The reality, according to Rolla, is that the British forces were made up of men both young and old who made tremendous sacrifices in hopes of achieving their dreams and aspirations.
"They were English, Scottish, Irish, Swiss, German, Americans, Indigenous people and former slaves. They were husbands, sons and brothers," Rolla said. "Some were well-off; others were not. They left families behind hoping to provide support for them. They had doubts and fears. They weren’t perfect, but neither were their counterparts.”
The event also draws attention to the seldom-discussed plight of the Loyalists - the colonial families who remained loyal to the monarchy after the war. Many were run out of their homes, with some fleeing to Canada with few belongings and no financial resources, Rolla said.
Visitors will glimpse into daily life of not only British soldiers but also the women and children who traveled with the troops to assist with chores and meal preparation. Tours of Lord Cornwallis' headquarters will be offered at the Nelson House, and guests can explore the Royal Navy's encampment next to the Burcher Cottage.
Reenactor Tim Smith added that the event will allow guests to gain a deeper understanding of the "whole story" surrounding life in Historic Yorktown prior to the Siege.
“When you turn the street into that time period, it’s an immersion, and it’s not like any other historic village," Smith said.
For additional information, visit visityorktown.org. |
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NEWS TO KNOW |
Major proposed development near Eastern State Hospital will not move forward |
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A map showing the proposed site of the Cardinal Ridge development. (James City County) |
A proposal to build a large-scale development near Eastern State Hospital is off the table.
After continued pushback from local residents, Texas-based developer D.R. Horton Inc. decided to withdraw their efforts to construct a major mixed-use development called Cardinal Ridge. |
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Background: Last December, the James City County Planning Commission voted in favor of the rezoning request. The original proposal called for an even larger development that would have included 1,006 homes and 162,000 square feet of commercial space. |
A petition urging residents to vote against the Carinal Ridge proposal garnered more than 2,050 signatures, noting concerns about major increases in traffic, negative environmental impacts and loss of wildlife habitat. |
A crowd of county residents packed into the Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, with many planning to speak out against the development. Before the planned public hearing, however, Supervisor John McGlennon made the surprise announcement that the developers would not be moving forward with the proposal. |
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Expanded Elderly & Disabled exemption approved: Later in the meeting, supervisors voted to approve a policy that will increase the real estate tax exemption for senior and disabled county residents.
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The county's Elderly & Disabled real estate exemption previously waived property taxes on the first $150,000 of a home's value for qualifying residents. That amount will now increase to the first $200,000 in value. |
The policy applies only to households with a combined annual income of $55,000 or less and a total combined net worth of $200,000 or less, not including the value of their house and land. |
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IN THE HEADLINES |
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EVENTS THIS WEEKEND |
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The Muscarelle Museum of Art will commemorate the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks with an open house and special exhibition on Sept. 11, 2026. (Photo courtesy of the Muscarelle Museum) |
SEPT. 11 REMEMBRANCE EVENTS |
Open House: 9/11 Special Exhibition| Muscarelle Museum of Art | Sept. 11 | 12 - 5 pm | Visit the Muscarelle during an afternoon of reflection featuring the museum's special exhibition, "Forever Marked by the Day: A Quarter Century of Mourning and Renewal," in recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. The exhibition will remain on view through Jan. 3, 2027. |
Organ Recital: A September 11 Reflection | Bruton Parish Church | Sept. 12 | 8 - 9 pm | Attend a special remembrance organ recital, "A September 11 Reflection," performed by Dr. JanEl Will, organist at Bruton Parish Church. Free; donations gratefully accepted. 8 pm. |
FRIDAY, 9/11 |
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SATURDAY, 9/12 |
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Yorktown Market Days: First Responders Market | Riverwalk Landing | Meet local firefighters, deputies, dispatchers, and other first responders; explore emergency vehicles; and learn valuable safety tips. Free admission. 8 am - noon. |
Annual Oyster Roast | Watermen's Museum | The Watermen's Museum's annual Oyster Roast returns on Sept. 12 with an all-you-can-eat dinner featuring fresh oysters, hot dogs, chowder and drinks. Tickets are $45 in advance; $50 at the gate. Reduced price tickets are available for non-oyster eaters and kids ages 6-14. Ticket sales support the museum's hands-on maritime history programs. 12 - 3 pm. |
Williamsburg Kiwanis Club Shrimp Feast | Jamestown Settlement | Support local charitable initiatives through the Kiwanis club and enjoy a delicious all-you-can-eat meal featuring shrimp, cole slaw, hush puppies, hot dogs, beans, water and soda. Live music will be provided by Brasswind. Tickets are $40 for adults, $30 for kids. 4 - 7 pm. |
WRL ComicCon | Williamsburg Library | ComicCon returns to Williamsburg Library for its fourth annual event with a celebration of the visual arts element of fandom. Guests are invited to show off their cosplay, discover taiko drumming, participate in trivia, learn from a comic book artist and shop vendors. All ages welcome. Free admission. 12:30 - 4 pm. |
Happy Birthday, York County Public Library | Yorktown Library | York County Public Library system is celebrating 50 years. Stop by the cafe for a special exhibit reminiscing about how far the library has come and what to look forward to in the future. All ages welcome. No registration required. Free. 1 - 3 pm. |
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SUNDAY, 9/13 |
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2nd Sundays Williamsburg | 40 N Boundary St. | This almost year-round arts and street festival features over 180 unique artisans, musicians, street performers and food vendors along six blocks of downtown Williamsburg. Free admission for all people and well-behaved pets. 11 am - 4 pm. |
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MULTI-DAY |
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Cherokee Cultural Weekend | American Revolution Museum at Yorktown | Sept. 12 - 13 | Enjoy traditional Cherokee dances, crafts and storytelling programs, blowgun demonstrations, 18th-century living-history and scholarly lectures. Included with museum admission. |
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FUTURE EVENT PREVIEW |
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This newsletter was written by Christin Nielsen. Thanks for reading! |
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