Picture this a grand colonial house standing proudly before you. This is the Moore-McMillen House. It wasn’t always a picturesque landmark. Its history stretches back to the 1630s when Governor John Harvey patented the land. It was initially called York Plantation.
A century later the land became part of a vast 500-acre Temple Farm. Lawrence Smith II built a home there for his family. His son Robert inherited it but faced financial troubles. In 1760 he sold the family estate to his brother-in-law Augustine Moore.
Augustine Moore was a successful merchant. He purchased Temple Farm and moved into the existing house. He became a gentleman farmer a common pursuit in 18th-century Virginia.
Little did the Moores know their home would play a crucial role in history. In 1781 during the Yorktown Siege many residents fled. The Moore family may have temporarily moved to Richmond.
Their home however became the location for pivotal negotiations. Lord Cornwallis facing defeat proposed a cessation of hostilities. He selected the Moore House for talks on the surrender. Why? The Moore House lay outside the siege. It was a neutral location convenient for both sides.
On October 18 1781 British and allied officers met in the Moore House. They discussed the terms of surrender. Lieutenant Colonel John Laurens represented the Americans. Viscount de Noailles represented the French.
The negotiations concluded before midnight. The articles were revised by General Washington. Cornwallis signed them the next day. The surrender marked the end of the American Revolution.
The Moore House remained in the Moore family until 1797. Then it passed to Hugh Nelson. It changed hands many times after that. It suffered damage during the Civil War. Soldiers stripped it of its siding for fuel.
The Moore House lay derelict until 1881. It underwent repairs for the Yorktown Centennial Celebration. Between 1931 and 1934 the National Park Service restored it to its colonial appearance. They used archeology and historical images. This restoration was one of the Park Service’s first projects.
The Moore-McMillen House stands today as a testament to its rich history. It’s a reminder of crucial events that shaped a nation. It’s a place where history comes alive. A legacy etched in the very walls of this remarkable house.