Colonial Williamsburg

The city of Williamsburg was based on the traditional city layout of the time, focusing on the Capitol, the church, and the College of William and Mary. Duke of Gloucester Street runs east and west, with the College of William and Mary on the west end. As Williamsburg developed, it included retail shops and trades. This activity will familiarize students with the layout of the Historic Area. The map work can be completed individually, with partners, or in small groups.

Objectives:

Students will be able to:

• Locate the city of Williamsburg and describe the how and why of the city's design
  
• Identify and locate buildings of Williamsburg

Materials:

• Map of the United States (provided by teacher)
  
• Map of Virginia (provided by teacher)
  
• Map of Williamsburg
  
• An enlarged map of only the streets in Williamsburg (no buildings) on butcher paper
  
• Building Images
  
• Pencils
  
• Glue or glue sticks
  
• Marker

Procedures:

1. On the U.S. map, locate your state and city, the commonwealth of Virginia, and the city of Williamsburg.
2. On the map of Virginia, locate Williamsburg. Using both the U.S. and Virginia map, if necessary, estimate the mileage from your city to Williamsburg.
   
3. Refer to the enlarged map of Williamsburg's streets, and ask students what would be needed to complete the city (i.e. buildings, street names, compass rose, etc.)
   
4. Pass out the building images, obtained from the website, and a copy of the Williamsburg map to the students (one per student is easiest).
   
5. As a class, identify the streets, and record them on a class map.
   
6. Students cut out their building and its name. Using the Williamsburg map as a guide, each student glues his or her building onto the class map.
   
7. Use the points of the compass rose to take the students on an imaginary tour of the city of Williamsburg, noting key buildings and sites.
   
8. Have students choose a building or site in Williamsburg and write out directions to that building or site from one of the three important buildings (Capitol, Bruton Parish Church, or College of William and Mary).
9. Using the downloaded map of Williamsburg, students check for accuracy. (This can be done individually as students finish, or as a class when the enlarged map is completed.)

Resources:

• Internet: The Colonial Williamsburg History Explorer "See the Places"
• Book: Official Guide to Colonial Williamsburg