SISTER CITIES YORKTOWN
Fostering a Culture of Citizen Diplomacy
Bienvenue! Welcome to our Sister Cities Yorktown (SCY) website! This is the location for all you need to know about our organization: our history; our Sister City in Port Vendres, France; current calendar of events; and most importantly how to become a member of our dynamic group. With a new slate of officers and an ambitious board, there is much to look forward to--join us often for our activities throughout the year!
Join us this Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the Yorktown riverfront for the annual French Market! Enjoy what looks to be a glorious day for some camaraderie, good food and a grand silent auction that will include an Asheville vacation home stay, Washington Commanders tickets, local art, gift cards for restaurants and golf, wine baskets, and more! Stop by our information booth and wine tent. See you there!
Debra Paulus, SCY President Tony Alford, Member-at-large
Jim Stoecker, Vice President Terry Mock, Member-at-large
Royce Hart, Treasurer Randy Tabor, Member-at-large
Margaret Mack-Yaroch, Secretary Tommy West, Member-at-large
Don Willis, Outgoing President
Contact us at contact@sistercitiesyorktown.org
PO Box 735, Yorktown, Virginia, USA 23692
History & Mission
According to Wikipedia, Sister Cities International (SCI) is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between communities in the United States and in other countries, particularly through the establishment of "sister cities" which are broad and long-term agreements formally recognized by civic leaders. A total of 1,800 cities, states, and counties have partnered in 138 countries worldwide.
As the official organization that links jurisdictions in the U.S. with communities worldwide, Sister Cities International recognizes, registers, and coordinates relationships among cities, counties, provinces, and other subnational political divisions at various levels.
The U.S. sister city program began in 1956 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower proposed a people-to-people, citizen diplomacy initiative. Originally a program of the National League of Cities, Sister Cities International became a separate, nonprofit corporation in 1967 due to the growth and popularity of the U.S. program.
In 1990, Yorktown, Va., entered into a sister-city relationship with a tiny French Mediterranean village named Port-Vendres. The relationship was formalized on April 19 (U.S.) and July 13 (France) by the Yorktown Trustees with the mayor of Port-Vendres and other dignitaries. In 2010, Sister Cities Yorktown celebrated the 20th anniversary of the relationship with citizen exchanges between both countries. In December 2011, the York County Board of Supervisors formally recognized the relationship for York County.
Sister Cities Yorktown is chartered by Sister Cities International. We abide by that mission: “To promote peace through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation — one individual, one community at a time.”
We Are Sisters Because. . .
History and Monuments: Yorktown and Port-Vendres are natural twins, beginning with historic ties between the communities during the American Revolution. French forces commanded by Generals Rochambeau and Lafayette proved decisive in the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown in 1781. The French Navy, led by Rear Adm. Comte de Grasse, completed the victory over the British after a battle in the Chesapeake Bay.
In Port-Vendres, there is a Royal square dedicated to Louis XVI with its obelisk and bronze “Independence of America” plaque. It is the only monument in France that honors America in this way. A similar monument in Yorktown honors the significant contribution of the French to American independence.
In 1776, the village of Port-Vendres had 70 homesteads; the community of Yorktown had 70 settlers.
. . .We Have Lots in Common
Strategic location: Geography makes Yorktown a strategic place in control of the York River with access to the Chesapeake Bay. Port-Vendres’ location on the Mediterranean Sea has made it a strategic port since Roman times
Fishing: Virginia is the third largest seafood producer in the U.S. and the largest on the Atlantic Coast. Ninety percent of Virginia’s seafood is harvested by day boats, many of them from York County. Favorite species are sea scallops, blue crabs, striped bass, summer flounder, croaker, spot and clams. France is one of Virginia seafood’s largest foreign importers.
In Port-Vendres, 4,000 tons of fish are unloaded and marketed each year, making fishing a central economic driver. It is the most active port in the Roussillon region, and it has one of 40 French fish auctions, which facilitate distribution of fish to supermarkets and restaurants throughout the country. Sardines, anchovies, and mussels are the most famous “local catch,” with many of the tiny fish caught by fishermen in small boats, or petits bateaux.
Sea Rescue: Yorktown is the home of the United States Coast Guard Training Center. Port-Vendres is home to Sociéte National de Sauvetage en Mer, a volunteer group that performs at-sea rescues along the Mediterranean Coast.
Waterfront and Markets: Both communities have picturesque harbors with opportunities for pleasure boating. Both enjoy outdoor markets where citizens and visitors can purchase regional specialty food items, crafts, and fresh flowers.
Art: Both communities claim renowned artists: Yorktown’s Nancy Thomas and Port-Vendres’ Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Download this pdf to read more about the history of the sister city relationship between Port-Vendres and Yorktown.
2024 SCY Board of Directors
2024 SCY Board of Directors
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Don Willis – President
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Debra Paulus – Vice President
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Randy Tabor – Member-at-large
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Rose Field – Member-at-large
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Danielle Cannella – Member-at-large
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Tommy West – Member-at-large
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Tony Alford – Member-at-large
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Jim Stoecker – Member-at-large
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Margaret Mack-Yaroch – Member-at-large
Past Presidents: Larry Raithel, Timorah Beales, George Hrichak, Belinda Willis, Don Willis, Shirley Estes
Contact: contact@sistercitiesyorktown.org