About

Founded in 1632, Williamsburg was the first — and, for a long time, the only — municipality in Virginia, making it the political, educational, and social center of the largest and wealthiest of the 13 colonies. In 1699, Williamsburg succeeded in Jamestown, the first permanent English-speaking settlement in the New World, as Virginia’s Colonial Capital. Here, the ideas of representative government took shape. Here, many of the leaders of the new American republic learned their statecraft. And nearby in Yorktown, independence was won.

Today, the City of Williamsburg is an independent city with an estimated population of approximately 15,550, as of 2021. Williamsburg sits along Interstate 64 corridor midway between Richmond and Norfolk/Virginia Beach — at the center of the Eastern Virginia region, which has a population of more than 2.5 million.

Our Pillar Institutions
The City of Williamsburg is home to the second oldest college in the U.S., William & Mary, and the world’s largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

William & Mary, founded in 1693, is a premier public research university that is widely recognized for its outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. As a “Public Ivy” — one of only eight in the nation — William & Mary offers a world-class education at an exceptional value.

Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a 301-acre outdoor history museum with more than 600 original and reconstructed houses, outbuildings, shops, taverns, and public buildings. Known worldwide for its preservation and interpretation of the nation’s founding, Colonial Williamsburg is the City’s largest taxpayer and tourism driver.

In the News

Where MAGA Granddads and Resistance Moms Go to Learn America’s Most Painful History Lessons

August 31, 2024
Politico

Local Events

Community Trivia Night: Civics & American Revolution @ Precarious Beer Project
March 11, 2026 - March 11, 2026
City of Williamsburg

Join us at Precarious Beer Project, 110 S. Henry St., Williamsburg, for an exploration into America’s 250th birthday and our civic legacy, testing y... Read More

America's Semiquincentennial Celebration: Inspiring a Season of Civic Renewal
April 25, 2026 - April 25, 2026
City of Williamsburg

VA250 will launch its 2026 commemorations by centering the unvarnished history and lived experiences of Tribal Nations who stewarded these lands long ... Read More

The Williamsburg Beer Festival
November 06, 2026 - November 06, 2026
City of Williamsburg

The Williamsburg Beer Festival is an annual community celebration that brings together Virginia breweries, local restaurants, small businesses, and fa... Read More