With more than 80 original and dozens of reconstructed buildings, several hundred interpreters, and ongoing archeological and historic research, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest open-air living history site in the country. During the Colonial period, the Virginia colony stretched from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mississippi River to the Great Lakes. It was the largest, wealthiest, most populated and arguably most influential of the British colonies.
The original settlement of “Middle Plantation” became the capital of Virginia in 1699. It was renamed in honor of King William III. As the residence of the Royal Governor, Williamsburg was the center of politics, economics, culture, education and society. In the years leading to the Revolution, the political wrangling between Crown and colony played out here. But after Thomas Jefferson moved the capital to the state – actually Commonwealth – of Virginia in 1780, Williamsburg stagnated and declined into a forgotten village.
Restoring Williamsburg was the passion of Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin, Rector of Bruton Parish Church. He realized the importance of preserving what had been the most important city in the colony, as important to the American Revolution as Philadelphia and Boston.
In 1926, Goodwin convinced John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to underwrite a modest plan to rebuild a few structures and restore some of the landscape. Once started, however, the project took on a life of its own. The rebuilding and rediscovering has never stopped.
Many of the buildings, and some activities, require a ticket. Comprehensive passes into the buildings and events can be purchased at the Visitor Center, the first stop on this fascinating tour of Williamsburg. So, let's get started!
The original settlement of “Middle Plantation” became the capital of Virginia in 1699. It was renamed in honor of King William III. As the residence of the Royal Governor, Williamsburg was the center of politics, economics, culture, education and society. In the years leading to the Revolution, the political wrangling between Crown and colony played out here. But after Thomas Jefferson moved the capital to the state – actually Commonwealth – of Virginia in 1780, Williamsburg stagnated and declined into a forgotten village.
Restoring Williamsburg was the passion of Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin, Rector of Bruton Parish Church. He realized the importance of preserving what had been the most important city in the colony, as important to the American Revolution as Philadelphia and Boston.
In 1926, Goodwin convinced John D. Rockefeller, Jr. to underwrite a modest plan to rebuild a few structures and restore some of the landscape. Once started, however, the project took on a life of its own. The rebuilding and rediscovering has never stopped.
Many of the buildings, and some activities, require a ticket. Comprehensive passes into the buildings and events can be purchased at the Visitor Center, the first stop on this fascinating tour of Williamsburg. So, let's get started!
