The Old Custom House (c.1720) — Attraction in Gloucester Point

The Old Custom House in Yorktown, Virginia, is a charming and historically significant site that offers visitors a glimpse into the colonial-era workings of trade and maritime activity. Built around 1721, this modest yet elegant brick building served as a key location for the collection of tariffs and inspection of goods entering and leaving the busy York River port. Its well-preserved exterior and simple Georgian architecture reflect the practical yet refined design typical of the period.

When we visited, the building was unfortunately closed, and we weren’t able to go inside—which was disappointing, as we were eager to explore its interior exhibits and historic rooms. Still, the exterior alone is worth a stop, with its carefully maintained facade and surrounding gardens offering an authentic colonial atmosphere. Even from outside, it’s easy to appreciate the role the Custom House once played in Yorktown’s bustling mercantile life.

The house is maintained by the Comte de Grasse Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, who have preserved it beautifully over the years. On days when it is open, it includes a small museum with artifacts and documents that explore Yorktown’s maritime and trade history. The outbuildings, including a reconstructed kitchen and smokehouse, help visitors imagine what daily life might have looked like during the 18th century.

There are also whispers of paranormal activity connected to the site. While we didn’t encounter anything unusual ourselves, some locals have reported strange sensations or unexplained sounds near the building. Whether folklore or fact, these tales add a touch of mystery to the Old Custom House's long-standing presence in Yorktown.

Despite not being able to tour the interior, the Old Custom House remains a memorable stop. It’s a quiet but meaningful piece of the town’s colonial legacy and a must-see for history lovers. We hope to return someday when the doors are open to fully experience the stories and artifacts...

It is absolutely amazing and astoundingly rich with energies of the past and of course pulsing with the progressive energies of the current/leading into the future’s dedicated community that work so hard to make awesome historic landmarks like this one possible! Beautifully maintained, highly recommend checking out the museum and its trove of historic artifacts/remnants of previous lifetimes on display to get a powerful taste of our local area’s earliest of beginnings and of America’s beginnings, as well 🙏 PS hope everyone is as lucky as we were to have a chance to hear all about it from one incredibly passionate and thoroughly-knowledgeable of an awesome lady named Sarah; all about the Custom House’s history, all the deep historical secrets &super cool specialty tidbits connected to/and involving much of the surrounding area for this timeframe of Historical Yorktown’s local lore, etc. PPS LoVE the historical garden and...

This is part of Main Street in Yorktown, but it was closed when we arrived. It would be nice to see inside, and we would definitely stop by again...