Guide to Colonial Williamsburg In Virginia

No visit to the eastern Virginia area would be complete without a stop at Colonial Williamsburg, located about 50 miles to the east of Richmond along Interstate 64. Colonial Williamsburg, the restored capital of 18th century England’s largest colony in the new world, is an outdoor living-history museum sure to delight visitors of all ages.

Surrounded by the town of Williamsburg, Virginia and the College of William and Mary, Colonial Williamsburg is a representation of 18th century colonial life, complete with public buildings, private homes, stores, taverns, restaurants and gardens modeled after the revolutionary period.

No matter what your interest, Colonial Williamsburg offers something just for you. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the exhibit is the people. Historical interpreters in full period costume re-enact the daily activities of the town’s inhabitants. The men and women represent the citizenry of a colonial era city, complete with vocabulary and mannerisms. They are subject matter experts in whatever it is they are doing, from colonial farming, to politics, to the various tradesmen practicing their arts.

The historic area includes many notable buildings, including the 18th century farmhouse Bassett Hall, and the Governor’s Palace, which is a reconstruction of the home that served seven royal governors, including Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. For those interested in the religious side of colonial life, or even for those just interested in period architecture, the Bruton Parish Church is an absolute must-see. The church was constructed in 1660 and was the first Anglican Church in the colony.