Yorktown in York County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Chesapeake Bay Watermen
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013
1. Chesapeake Bay Watermen Marker
Rugged men and women have made their living on the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers for centuries. Known as watermen, they hand down skills learned by observing water, climate, and wildlife. Consequently, younger generations learn time-honored maritime traditions from their elders. The work is often dangerous, especially during bad weather, but affection and respect for the marine environment motivates those who work on boats. Watermen harvest fish, oysters, crabs, clams, and scallops. They operate ferries, tugboats, police boats, and research vessels. Thomas Jefferson, who promoted the idea of a school of instruction for our navy, recognized the valuable skills developed by working watermen and referred to their industries as providing good instruction. More than 200 years later, watermen are still seen here as they go about their work on the York River.
Photos courtesy of Sara E. Lewis and Charles Davis.
Erected 2010 by York County.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #03 Thomas Jefferson series list.
Location. 37° 14.365′ N, 76°
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Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Peninsula, in Coastal Virginia, and in the Hampton Roads Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Tidewater. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: York River Ferry (here, next to this marker); Tue Marshes Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Bells Rock Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); York Spit Lighthouse (a few steps from this marker); Pale Moon (within shouting distance of this marker); Whats a Chesapeake Bay Deadrise? (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginia Chesapeake Bay Patent Tong Work Boats (within shouting distance of this marker); George P. Coleman Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yorktown.
Also see . . . The Watermens Museum. (Submitted on November 14, 2021.)
Photographed by Bernard Fisher, April 20, 2013
2. Yorktown's Riverwalk
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023
3. Watermen's Museum
The nearby Waterman's Museum has a number of artifacts and example craft relevant to watermen plying their trades in local waters.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, November 4, 2023
4. Watermen's Museum
Exhibit on modern watermen.
Photographed by Evan Dwyer, August 3, 2024
5. Deadrise Model
A Chesapeake Bay icon and watermen's workhorse, this type of vessel is represented by this model in the Essex County Museum in Tappahannock, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 544 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 21, 2013, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2026, by Evan Dwyer of Richmond, Virginia.
