Williamsburg: Colonial History and Craftsmanship

Williamsburg brings together political history, historic buildings, and hands-on craftsmanship. The city was founded in 1699 as the capital of the Virginia Colony and was one of the first planned cities in America. For a history-focused stay, it offers several points of interest: sites connected to the history of government, buildings with earlier histories, and crafts practiced using 18th-century tools and techniques.

From the City’s Founding to Its Restoration

One building on the Historic Campus predates the founding of Williamsburg: the Sir Christopher Wren Building at William & Mary was built between 1695 and 1700. It is the oldest college building in the United States. This chronology gives visitors a distinctive point of reference: the building was already standing before Williamsburg became the colony’s capital in 1699. Visitors may tour the first two floors and the Historic Campus grounds; university access rules may change.

Another defining chapter began in 1926. Reverend Doctor W. A. R. Goodwin brought the city’s significance to the attention of John D. Rockefeller Jr. Rockefeller then financed and led Williamsburg’s extensive reconstruction as an 18th-century city. The city’s political role also reaches back a long way: in 1781, General George Washington assembled the Continental Army here for the siege of nearby Yorktown.

Places with Different Stories

The Governor’s Palace offers a glimpse into the history of Virginia’s governors: the building was home to two royal governors and the state’s first two elected governors. The grounds include gardens and an evergreen maze, and the site is also of major historical significance. Williamsburg’s Capitol tells another part of the colonial story: for most of the 18th century, it was the center of British rule in Virginia.

Religious and political history also come together at several named sites. Bruton Parish Church is a 350-year-old Episcopal church that welcomed many well-known patriots. Raleigh Tavern was established around 1717. Its Apollo Room hosted some of the most consequential conversations of the American Revolution. The African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground, meanwhile, was the original permanent site of First Baptist Church, one of the earliest African American congregations in the United States. These places offer different historical perspectives rather than reducing Williamsburg to a single event.

Crafts and Museums

At Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Trades and Skills community learns and practices more than 20 historic trades and skills using 18th-century tools and techniques. One hands-on demonstration focuses on the printing trade: it shows how type is set and how newspapers, political notices, pamphlets, and books from the colonial era were produced using replica printing presses. The history of printing thus offers a vivid look at the work of setting type and operating a press.

The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg can be visited free of charge 365 days a year. Check the latest visitor information before your trip. The museums add another cultural stop alongside the historic sites and craft demonstrations, so you don’t have to limit your stay to the history of government or the Revolution.

Along the Colonial Parkway

The scenic, 23-mile Colonial Parkway connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. It is open to car traffic and cycling. There are numerous stopping points and overlooks with informational signs along the route, offering an opportunity to learn more about the connections between the three places along the way. If you plan to cycle, check current restrictions in advance, as conditions along the route may change.

A Seasonal Market Visit

Another way to plan your stay is to visit the market at Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg. It takes place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., February through December. Since the seasonal schedule may change, check the dates before your visit. The set day and time make it easier to fit a market visit into your day’s plans.

Discover more destinations: Williamsburg, Arlington, Hanover County, Orange County, Albemarle, Pulaski County, Pittsylvania County, Alleghany County.

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