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The Peninsula has as rich a history as any area in our country. The following is a brief selection of important events in the history of The Peninsula. If you have an addition or correction, please visit our contact us page and let us know.
1607 - Jamestown is founded. It is the first permanent English settlement in the new world.
1609 - Fort Algernon is built to protect Jamestown.
1610 - Kecoughtan is founded. It is later incorporated into the City of Hampton.
1614 - John Rolfe and Pocahontas are married, ushering in a time of peace between the European settlers and the
 Native Americans.
1638 - Middle Plantation, the future site of Williamsburg, is built.
1691 - Yorktown is founded.
1698 - Middle Plantation is renamed Williamsburg after the capital of the Virginia Colony is moved there.
1780 - Fearing British attack, Thomas Jefferson succeeds in moving the capital of Virginia to Richmond.
1781 - American and French forces defeat the British Army in the Siege of Yorktown, leading to negotiations that
end the war.
1819 - Construction on Fort Monroe begins. It is completed fifteen years later.
1861 - Students from The College of William and Mary leave for the Civil War. The college remained closed for the
duration of the war.
1861 - The Confiscation Act of 1861 is passed clarifying that Union soldiers could confiscate any property being used
in insurrection. As slaves were viewed as property at this time, many slaves found refuge with the Union forces.
This led to the creation of the Grand Contraband Camp and eventually the founding of Hampton University.
1862 - March 8 marks the first battle of Ironclad ships, the CSS Virginia and the USS Monitor, in the Battle of
Hampton Roads.
1862 - April 5 saw the beginning of the Battle of Yorktown. The battle lasted nearly a month.
1862 - On May 5, Confederate and Union soldiers clash in the Battle of Williamsburg.
1896 - Newport News is officially organized as a city.
1907 - Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin completes the restoration of Burton Parish Church.
1927 - Kecoughtan is incorporated by Newport News forming today's East End.
1958 - The cities of Warwick and Newport News are consolidated.
1976 - Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford debate at the College of William and Mary.
1983 - Williamsburg hosts the G7 Summit.
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