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Overview

Introduction

Colonial Williamsburg faithfully portrays the days before the Revolutionary War through historic buildings and costumes, but it's the interpreters who bring history to life. Most play their parts so well that visitors leave better informed about U.S. history and wanting to learn even more.

Williamsburg is like a colonial time machine. Thomas Jefferson may tip his tricorn hat as you stroll the crushed-oyster-shell streets, and then he'll expound on the virtues of freedom and self-government. Patrick Henry will be glad to warn you of the evil ways of the British crown. Poke your head into a Williamsburg shop, and you might strike up a conversation with Martha Washington.

You can visit Williamsburg along with the nearby towns of Jamestown and Yorktown. Together, they form the Colonial National Historic Park. At a mile/kilometer long, it's the nation's largest outdoor living-history museum. For more modern diversions, there's Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Water Country USA and the newer parts of the city.

Must See or Do

Sights—Thomas Jefferson (or his wig-clad double) strolling through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg; a misty dawn over the battlefield at Yorktown; historic plantations along the James River.

Museums—Colonial Williamsburg's rich look at colonial American life, from the governor's palace to an apothecary shop, and character actors in the historic homes of Williamsburg, busy at everyday tasks such as cooking and weaving.

Memorable Meals—Breakfast biscuits at the Old Chickahominy House; colonial fare, washed down with beer and traditional music at Christiana Campbell's Tavern; pecan pie at Jamestown Pie Company; osso buco at The Trellis.

Late Night—Nine-ball at The Corner Pocket; a pint of pale ale at The Green Leafe Cafe; a candlelit ghost tour in Colonial Williamsburg.

Walks—Strolling through the maze behind the Governor's Palace; walking the loop trail at Historic Jamestowne.

Especially for Kids—A rousing fife-and-drum corps performance; European-themed rides at Busch Gardens; the one-of-a-kind Kidsburg playground.

Geography

Situated on a narrow, wooded peninsula, the Historic Triangle that includes Williamsburg is bound by three rivers—the James, the York and the Chickahominy—that feed into Chesapeake Bay. Williamsburg is just a few miles/kilometers from the bay.

The main areas of interest to visitors are downtown around Colonial Williamsburg, the College of William and Mary, and Duke of Gloucester Street. Just west of town are several outlet malls. The ever-popular Busch Gardens is about 3 mi/5 km east of the city. If you're driving around the area, the Colonial Parkway is probably your best point of reference—it joins Williamsburg with Yorktown in the east and Jamestown in the south.

History

After three merchant ships from England reached the Virginia shoreline in 1607, the passengers began building the first permanent English colony in the New World along the banks of the James River. The colony, known as Jamestown, was set on a low, marshy island. Colonists soon cast their eyes 5 mi/8 km inland to another settlement, called Middle Plantation, which offered higher ground and a better defense. By 1633, plans were under way for a new city that would become Williamsburg.

With access to the James and York rivers, the new settlement was a natural choice to become the capital city when the Jamestown Statehouse burned in 1698. Middle Plantation was renamed Williamsburg, in honor of King William III. The settlers laid out the design for a thriving city that included a Capitol building, Market Square (as the town commons) and the College of William and Mary.

As the seat of the First Continental Congress and the site of stirring speeches by Patrick Henry, Williamsburg quickly became a major stage for the Revolutionary War in 1774. But after British Gen. Charles Cornwallis surrendered in 1781 just a few miles/kilometers away in Yorktown, the capital was moved to Richmond, and Williamsburg entered a period of decline. The Civil War—which saw Union troops occupying the town—added to the downward spiral.

After years of neglect, John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin sensed the value of the town, and in the 1920s they began to restore Williamsburg. Colonial buildings were ambitiously renovated and reconstructed, with careful attention paid to historic detail. Tourists began arriving in the 1950s, resulting in a gradual increase in lodging, dining and shopping options—many of which reflect the city's heritage. Today, this is a popular family road-trip destination that offers everything from history to entertainment for all ages.

Potpourri

The New World, Hollywood's version of the colonial settlement of Jamestown, was filmed on-site in Williamsburg, and actors Colin Farrell and Christopher Plummer were frequently spotted around town during filming.

Thomas Jefferson attended the College of William and Mary and published his views on the rights of British America while he lived in Williamsburg. Today, Jefferson is one of Williamsburg's most popular characters.

Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot has been shown at the Visitors Center daily since 1957, making it the longest continuously running motion picture in history.

Martha Washington was born on a plantation just outside of Williamsburg. She married her first husband, Daniel Custis, and had four children (two died) when she was suddenly widowed at the age of 26. Martha married George Washington two years later in 1759, while he was still a colonel, and the family moved to Mount Vernon, Virginia.

Overview

Introduction

When you're in the Berkshires, make a stop in Williamstown, Massachusetts, to see the Sterling and Francine Clark Art Institute, which includes paintings by such masters as Renoir, Degas, Toulouse-Lautrec and Monet.

If you are in Williamstown in the summer, don't miss the Williamstown Theater Festival, where top actors perform productions of the world's finest plays (but order tickets well ahead of time).

Visitors to the Chapin Library of Rare Books (open weekdays), on the Williams College campus, can see original copies of the four founding documents of the U.S.: the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Every year on the Fourth of July, actors appearing at the theater festival and town residents gather to read aloud from the Declaration, the Constitution and the British replies.

And while you're on campus, visit the Williams College Museum of Art, whose collections cover a broad range of world art.

Overview

Introduction

Located 80 mi/129 km north of Charleston and directly across the Ohio River from Marietta, Ohio, Williamstown was home to the Fenton Art Glass Co., the largest manufacturer of handmade colored glass in the U.S.

The company has ceased production in its original Williamstown location, though Fenton Art Glass Jewelry continues to be sold in Williamstown at the Fenton Gift Shop at 2242 Williams Highway. http://www.fentonartglass.com.