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.
August 31, 2024
Politico
Colonial Williamsburg's Haunted WilliamsburgTelling ghost stories in the darkness of night is a centuries-old tradition. Experience Haunted Williamsburg, the ONLY ghost tour that goes inside his... Read More
Williamsburg Bray School The Williamsburg Bray School was one of the earliest institutions dedicated to Black education in North America. From 1760 to 1774, teacher Ann Wager ... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's The Promise of FreedomJoin the community in this special 250th anniversary event as they confront a proclamation declaring martial law, issued in November 1775 by John Murr... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's Cry Witch*On Mondays & Fridays* Is Grace Sherwood a witch? You decide! Question witnesses. Weigh evidence. Finally, cast your vote for the guilt or innocenc... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's 100th: Williamsburg Restored*Wednesdays* This archival documentary, which opens with a ten-minute period drama about the importance of Williamsburg in 1774, explains the mission... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's To Hang a Pirate*On Thursdays & Saturdays* In late 1718, a Royal Navy expedition dispatched from Virginia killed the pirate Blackbeard off the coast of North Carol... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg: Homeschool Tour - Children and the LawJoin us for a 45-minute guided walking tour of the town as we explore how the youngest residents of Williamsburg are represented in the laws of the ti... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg: Homeschool Hands-On - Bray SchoolWhat was the lesson of a Virginia student like? What skills did a colonial English society value? How did the day of an enslaved black student differ ... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg: Homeschool Hands-On - 18th-Century Astronomy Step into the solar system, become the planets, and discover how 18th-century scientists viewed the stars (or skies).... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's Colonial Dance*Mondays & Wednesdays* "Virginians will dance or die," wrote an 18th-century diarist. Prepare to experience one of the favorite pastimes of Colonia... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary Points of View*Tuesday, September 9, 16 and Thursdays* It’s the eve of the American Revolution, and there are just as many opinions about war and independence ... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's In Defense of Our Liberty*For Fall Homeschool Days* Now is your chance to enlist in the Continental Army. As a recruit, see what it was like to be a soldier in the 18th cen... Read More
Bells Across AmericaBells Across America is an annual event commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution. On September 17 at exactly 4 PM-the moment the Constitutio... Read More
Constitution Day at Colonial WilliamsburgCelebrate the adoption of the U.S. Constitution by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Join us for in-depth discussions, and the best of C... Read More
An Occasion for the ArtsExperience the 57th Annual An Occasion For The Arts in Williamsburg - a true arts extravaganza. It is the area’s premier art and music festival. Str... Read More
For 2026: Wartime TransformationsWilliam & Mary, in partnership with the Omohundro Institute for Early American History & Culture and The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, will co-hos... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg: Veterans Day ProclamationOur Veterans Day programming begins at 10 a.m. with a ceremony on Palace Green honoring the men and women who have served in the United States Armed F... Read More
Colonial Williamsburg's Firing of the Brick KilnFall is the season to fire the bricks! Stop by and see how up to 20,000 hand-molded bricks are fired at up to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Chat with the ... Read More
Andrew Trivette
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