A Visit to the Moore House - Yorktown, Virginia, by Carrie Fancett Pagels

Moore House Parlor - Arranged as For Surrender of Yorktown Negotiations

The Moore House is a site held by the National Parks and sits on a gorgeous bluff above the York River in Yorktown, Virginia.  Here, after the Yorktown Battle, the final major battle in the American Revolution, officers met to negotiate the terms of the surrender.

To visit this historic home, restored some decades ago, you must first go to the National Parks Building in Yorktown. The Yorktown Battlefield also sits on a bluff, with a grand view, a few miles further up river. Below is the majestic view from the Moore House, which you must drive to after registering at the National Parks site and obtaining a sticker.

View of the Yorktown River from the Moore House

Almost any time of year is good for a visit to coastal Virginia. We are most prone to having some type of snowfall in late January and early February, if we get any. This year we've had a few inches and we are anticipating another storm shortly, but such is unusual here in this mild climate.

In mid October, 1781, when the officers met to negotiate the terms of surrender, the weather may have been mild, especially for those accustomed to northern cold.


If you've ever wondered what historic fiction writers do when they have company in town, well here is an example--they take their family members to visit research sites! My brother obliged by posing for this picture!  I've seen pictures of the house, before it was restored, and it looked so sad.  But the National Parks did a lovely job fixing it, both inside and out.

Front of Moore House, Gary Lee Fancett

The interior is available for perusal and period pieces have been added. A National Parks employee will be on site to greet you and answer your questions.





The dining room is set up as if company was expected any moment. It is tempting to cross through the cordoned ropes and sit down for tea!  Would you care to join me?

Moore House Dining Room