Colonial Williamsburg

HISTORIC ATTRACTION · WILLIAMSBURG, VIRGINIA

Explore Virginia's restored colonial capital through historic buildings, working trades, gardens, museums, archaeology, and immersive interpretation.

Location
Williamsburg, Virginia

Historic Area
301 acres

Original buildings
89

Historic trades
20+

Colonial Williamsburg is a historic district, museum complex, and educational institution in Williamsburg, Virginia. Its Historic Area recreates and preserves the appearance and activity of Virginia's colonial capital during the 18th century.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation describes the Historic Area as a 301-acre city containing 89 original 18th-century buildings, more than 300 buildings in total, more than 20 historic trades, and more than 30 maintained gardens.^[1]

Williamsburg served as Virginia's capital from 1699 until the seat of government moved to Richmond in 1780.^[2]

Why visit Colonial Williamsburg?

Colonial Williamsburg combines historic architecture with living-history interpretation, archaeology, museums, gardens, reconstructed buildings, working trades, shops, dining, and scheduled programs.

Visitors can move through much of the Historic Area on foot and encounter interpreters portraying aspects of life in 18th-century Williamsburg.

The site includes original colonial buildings as well as structures reconstructed through historical, architectural, and archaeological research.^[3]

What to see

Governor's Palace

The reconstructed residence associated with Virginia's royal governors and, later, governors of the Commonwealth. The palace grounds and gardens are among Colonial Williamsburg's most recognizable sites.

Capitol

The reconstructed colonial Capitol represents the political center of Virginia when Williamsburg served as the colonial capital.

Duke of Gloucester Street

The principal east-west street through the Historic Area, lined with historic buildings, shops, taverns, gardens, and public spaces.

Bruton Parish Church

An active Episcopal parish whose historic church building stands prominently along Duke of Gloucester Street.

Historic trades

Colonial Williamsburg maintains more than 20 historic trades and skills, with interpreters demonstrating crafts and occupations associated with the 18th century.^[4]

Gardens

More than 30 maintained gardens are located throughout the Historic Area.^[5]

Historic buildings

Colonial Williamsburg contains hundreds of buildings representing the city's colonial landscape.

The foundation states that more than 300 buildings comprise the colonial capital, with 89 surviving from the 18th century. Other structures were reconstructed using documentary research and archaeological evidence.^[6]

Notable sites include:

Historic trades

Working trades are one of Colonial Williamsburg's defining features.

The foundation maintains more than 20 historic trades and skills.^[7]

Depending on the day's schedule, visitors may encounter activities associated with trades such as:

Blacksmithing
Cabinetmaking
Carpentry
Printing
Bookbinding
Tailoring
Weaving
Shoemaking
Silversmithing
Joinery
Historic foodways
Agriculture

Programs and open trade shops vary by date, so visitors should consult the day's official schedule.

Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg

The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg bring two museum collections together:

Their collections include American and British decorative arts from the 17th through 19th centuries and American folk art.^[8]

As of September 2026, the Art Museums advertise free public admission and daily hours of 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; visitors should check the official site for current hours before traveling.^[9]

Archaeology

Archaeology has played a major role in the restoration and continuing interpretation of Williamsburg.

The Colin G. and Nancy N. Campbell Archaeology Center allows visitors to observe archaeological research, artifact processing, and analysis.^[10]

Archaeological evidence has also informed the reconstruction and interpretation of structures throughout the Historic Area.

Restoration of Colonial Williamsburg

The modern restoration of Williamsburg grew from the work of the Rev. Dr. W. A. R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr..

Goodwin discussed his vision for restoring Williamsburg with Rockefeller and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, during the 1920s. Rockefeller eventually provided financial support for what became a large-scale effort to preserve, restore, and reconstruct the former colonial capital.^[11]

The foundation dates Rockefeller's commitment to funding the restoration to 1926.^[12]

The project ultimately involved extensive architectural research, archaeology, preservation, reconstruction, landscape restoration, museum development, and historical interpretation.

Colonial capital

Williamsburg became the capital of Virginia in 1699 after the colonial government moved from Jamestown.

During the 18th century, the city served as a center of Virginia politics, commerce, education, law, and social life.

The capital moved to Richmond in 1780 during the American Revolution.^[13]

Planning a visit

Allow enough time
The Historic Area covers 301 acres, so a short visit will only sample the site. A full day allows considerably more time for buildings, trades, programs, museums, and meals.

Check the daily schedule
Historic buildings, trades, tours, performances, and programs do not necessarily operate on identical schedules every day.

Wear comfortable shoes
Exploring the Historic Area generally involves substantial walking over sidewalks, streets, brick paths, gravel, and other historic surfaces.

Consider the weather
A significant portion of the experience is outdoors, making seasonal temperatures, rain, and humidity relevant to planning.

Tickets and admission

Some portions of Colonial Williamsburg can be walked without an admission ticket, while entry into many interpreted historic buildings, programs, tours, and other experiences requires admission.

Ticket products and prices can change. Visitors should consult the official Colonial Williamsburg website for current admission options rather than relying on historical prices.

Official visitor information:

Accessibility

Colonial Williamsburg states that its Visitor Center, hotels, restaurants, museums, and shops are largely accessible, while some historic buildings present accessibility challenges because of their 18th-century architecture.^[14]

Wheelchair-accessible routes and facilities are available in portions of the Historic Area, and Colonial Williamsburg buses are wheelchair accessible. Some historic buildings contain steps, narrow staircases, or inaccessible upper floors.^[15]

The foundation also provides accessibility information for individual buildings and programs.

Food and dining

Colonial Williamsburg and the immediately surrounding area contain a mixture of historic tavern-style dining, modern restaurants, cafés, and shops.

See:

Where to stay

Visitors can stay in Colonial Williamsburg-operated accommodations or elsewhere throughout the Williamsburg area.

See: