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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Colonial Williamsburg?

The largest living history museum in the United States, Colonial Williamsburg is a private non-profit foundation that operates the restored 18th century capital of colonial Virginia. Colonial Williamsburg strives to accomplish its mission
. . . that the future may learn from the past . . .

by preserving and restoring 18th century Williamsburg.
by engaging, informing, and inspiring visitors as they learn about this historic colonial capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape our new nation.

Colonial Williamsburg also operates for-profit subsidiaries including hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, golf courses, and sales of licensed products and reproductions. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation receives no regular state or federal funding.

What is the historical significance of Williamsburg?

From 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the capital of England's oldest, largest, richest, and most populous colony and the seat of power in the new nation's most influential state.
It was in the shops, taverns, government buildings, homes and streets of Williamsburg that George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason, and other Virginia patriots established the ideals — liberty, independence and personal freedom — that influenced the founding of our nation and have inspired generations of Americans and others around the world.

May 30, 1765 — Patrick Henry offered to the colonial assembly (called the House of Burgesses) his resolutions in defiance of the Stamp Act.
May 16, 1769 — George Washington introduced the Virginia Resolves against the Townshend Acts - one of the colonies' first challenges to British authority.
May 15, 1776 — The House of Burgesses unanimously adopted Virginia's Resolution for Independence and called for the other colonies to declare their independence — which they did at the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in July.
June 12, 1776 — George Mason produced the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which became the model for the federal Bill of Rights. After Thomas Jefferson moved Virginia's government to Richmond in 1781,Williamsburg became a quiet country town disturbed only by Union Gen. George McClellan's 1862 Peninsula Campaign during the Civil War.

How did the restoration of Williamsburg begin?

In 1926, the Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, approached John D. Rockefeller Jr. about restoring the sleepy village of his ministry to its colonial past. Rockefeller proceeded cautiously at first, investing in Goodwin's vision one property at a time. To maintain his anonymity, Rockefeller authorized the purchase of the first property, the Ludwell-Paradise House, on Dec. 7, 1926 in a telegram signed "David's father," referring to his engaging young son David, whom Dr. Goodwin had previously met.

Rockefeller's enthusiasm soon grew to match Goodwin's. Guided by his goal to provide an opportunity to educate future Americans about the patriotism and purpose of the past, Rockefeller supported and financed Williamsburg's restoration until his death in 1960.

The restored 301 — acre Historic Area consists of 88 original buildings and hundreds of other homes, shops, public buildings, and additional structures that have been reconstructed - most on their original foundations. The reconstructed Raleigh Tavern opened as the first public exhibition building in September 1932.

Does Colonial Williamsburg offer anything in addition to the Historic Area?

Colonial Williamsburg operates three museums within walking distance of the Historic Area: The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and Bassett Hall, the Williamsburg home of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Colonial Williamsburg's education and preservation programs and activities include archaeology, historical research, building and grounds preservation, historic trades demonstrations, living history programs, educational outreach programs, and conservation of art and antiques.

Is Colonial Williamsburg engaged in educational outreach activities?

Colonial Williamsburg actively supports history education in schools and homes through a wide variety of educational outreach programs and activities including books, videotapes, recordings and other media. Colonial Williamsburg presents the stories, words, and music of 18th-century Virginians.

Electronic field trips use state-of-the-art satellite technology to transport students from across the country to Colonial Williamsburg, enabling them to meet People of the Past and, in many cases, converse with them about the individual choices they face on the eve of the Revolution.
Through the Williamsburg Teacher Institute, Colonial Williamsburg inspires hundreds of history teachers from across the country. The Historic Area serves as a living laboratory where teachers learn innovative and engaging ways to teach about the past during week-long visits to Williamsburg.
Against the background of Williamsburg, present-day topics are explored at a variety of annual events such as the Williamsburg Antiques Forum and Williamsburg Garden Symposium. The Williamsburg Institute provides hands-on training, led by Colonial Williamsburg experts, in topics that range from colonial cookery to decorating in Williamsburg style.
www.colonialwilliamsburg.org includes information about planning a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, as well as Historic Area programs and activities.
In conjunction with the College of William and Mary, Colonial Williamsburg sponsors The Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture, an organization devoted to research and publication. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and The College of William and Mary also sponsor workshops, courses and seminars on colonial culture and architecture.

How many people have visited Colonial Williamsburg?

More than 100 million visitors have toured the Historic Area since 1932, among them many of the world's leaders including presidents Franklin Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. More than 100 heads of state, government officials, ministers, and celebrities also have visited Colonial Williamsburg.

What sort of financial support does Colonial Williamsburg receive?

As a private, not-for-profit educational institution, Colonial Williamsburg needs and encourages tax-deductible gifts and bequests from all who treasure the Williamsburg experience. Gifts to Colonial Williamsburg enable the research, documentation, and interpretive training fundamental to all its educational activities: the presentation of programs in Historic Area buildings, trade shops and museums, acquisition and conservation of art, preservation and maintenance, and production of publications and audiovisual programs.

Thousands of philanthropic corporations, foundations, and individuals are building a base of financial support for Colonial Williamsburg.

What is the best way to visit Colonial Williamsburg?

The Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center is the best place to begin a visit. The Center provides parking, information, admission and special program tickets, bus service, and reservations for Colonial Williamsburg's hotels and restaurants.

Visitors should make sure they see "Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot." This classic film produced in 1956 chronicles the life of fictional 18th-century patriot John Fry. "The Patriot" has been shown daily at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center since it opened in March 1957, and the film has been seen by more than 30 million people.

What will I see in Colonial Williamsburg?

Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area portrays 18th-century Williamsburg as it appeared on the eve of the American Revolution. Throughout the city, an engaging mix of sights, sounds and activities helps visitors reconnect with America's past and become active participants in 18th-century life.

Important Historic Area sites include:

Governor's Palace, the symbol of British authority in the colony
Capitol, the seat of colonial power and site of Virginia's vote for independence May 15, 1776
Peyton Randolph site, where historic trades carpenters are reconstructing Randolph's "urban plantation"
Raleigh Tavern, where Virginia patriots met to discuss independence in open defiance of the Crown
George Wythe House, home of Thomas Jefferson's teacher and friend
James Geddy House and Foundry, site of an up-and-coming family business

Historic trade demonstrations, dramatic vignettes, interactive programs, and encounters with "People of the Past" take place in exhibition sites and historic trade shops throughout the Historic Area. Homes, public buildings, and shops are furnished with objects from Colonial Williamsburg's extensive collection of English and American antiques and reproductions made by Colonial Williamsburg tradespeople.

Is there anyplace to have a meal in the Historic Area?

Colonial Williamsburg operates four dining taverns in the Historic Area:

Chowning's Tavern
Christiana Campbell's Tavern
Shields Tavern
King's Arms Tavern

Each tavern offers unique 18th century menus served in authentic colonial surroundings.

What about shopping?

Visitors can purchase authentic reproductions, Colonial Williamsburg foods, and other products in nine Historic Area shops, at the Colonial Nursery, and from merchants in Market Square. Outside the Historic Area, Colonial Williamsburg operates 18 retail stores that range from the Visitor Center's Williamsburg Booksellers to the Craft Houses, home of WILLIAMSBURG® products and reproductions.

Are there any parks or gardens?

The Historic Area includes 90 acres of greens and gardens that range from the formal splendor of the Governor's Palace garden to the utilitarian kitchen garden of the James Geddy site. The Historic Area is protected from modern intrusions by a 3,000-acre greenbelt.

To protect the Historic Area's 18th-century ambiance, Williamsburg's main street, Duke of Gloucester, and adjacent streets are closed to motor vehicles daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

What else can I see in Williamsburg?

Other points of interest include the Wren Building at the College of William and Mary, built in 1695, and Bruton Parish Church, built in 1715

How much does it cost to visit Colonial Williamsburg?

Our ticket options are listed on our Tickets Page.

What are my lodging options?

Guest accommodations are available in Colonial Williamsburg's five hotel properties: The Williamsburg Inn, the Colonial Houses, the Williamsburg Lodge, the Woodlands Hotel & Suites, and the Governor's Inn. For information, tickets, dining reservations, or hotel accommodations, call toll-free 1-800-HISTORY or see our Visit section.

NOTE: Dates, times, and ticket prices are subject to change. Please call the Public Affairs department at (757) 220-7286 before publishing to verify or for additional information.

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