The College of William & Mary
Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS)

The Virginia Institute of Marine Science is located in Gloucester Point, Virginia. The buildings at VIMS are right on the water at the mouth of the York River. This river empties into the Chesapeake Bay and from there to the Atlantic Ocean. This location makes VIMS a natural place for scientists to study biology, fisheries, environmental science, and physical science.

This area also is important to American history. Across the York River from VIMS is the historic town of Yorktown, where the British General Cornwallis surrendered his troops to American forces on October 19, 1781. This ended the Revolutionary War between Great Britain and the American colonies. Less than one hundred years later, Yorktown was also a site in the Civil War battles of 1862-1864.

Yorktown is part of the Colonial National Historic Park, which includes Jamestown and Yorktown. Take a virtual tour of these important historic sites with the online visitor’s center. Colonial Williamsburg is nearby, and you can "visit" it here.

Visit the VIMS Web site here.