Colonial Williamsburg Primer
First time visitors to Williamsburg, VA often form the opinion before arriving that this popular destination is a standalone attraction on I-64, an hour out of the way when passing through Richmond, Virginia on I 95. As a former employee of the Colonial Williamsburg foundation, I have often seen confused guests arrive at the museum’s visitor center with no idea what is in store for them. Most often, I hear, “We just thought we’d walk through on our way to Busch Gardens.” “We should be able to do the whole thing in about an hour.” is another one.
The truth is much more involved. There is a reason why 68% of guests at Colonial Williamsburg are repeat visitors. There are days, not hours’ worth of available at this one location. Guests who drive in expecting to see a good old fashioned “frontier village” where they can spend 10 minutes watching the village smithy make up a horse shoe and be on their way are in for something of an awakening.
The restored city of Williamsburg sits on about 75 acres. It stretches a mile long by half a mile wide. On this piece of property are hundreds of buildings. 88 of these are originals dating to various periods in colonial history. The remaining buildings are restored, built on records and archeological evidence as closely as possible to bring the entire town of Williamsburg from the eighteenth century back to life. Walking down Duke of Gloucester Street in the middle of the afternoon, you are not in a museum anymore, you are in a town from 1775.
Colonial Williamsburg uses some of these buildings as gift shops and opportunities to show guests what an 18th century grocery store or silver shop might be like. These shops have modern amenities. Your credit cards are welcome as well as modern currency. To visit these facilities and to walk through town there is no charge. Anyone can experience Colonial Williamsburg to some degree, regardless of what they are willing to spend.
Tickets to the interpreted attractions will allow visitors to visit historic buildings and receive the story winner winner of George Washington’s first experience in government, or the story of how one of the most English towns in America ended up at the forefront of the American Revolution. Tickets also allow guests access to historic trade sites. Here you will find blacksmith, coopers, milliners, weavers and much more. The artisans at these sites are engaged in the practices of trades that are dying. Their work is not simply for show, or something that is done as a hobby. The artisans of Colonial Williamsburg are learning, researching, and preserving knowledge that might otherwise be lost.
Many of the tradesmen here are the foremost experts in their chosen fields in the world. Costumed interpreters, some playing specific historical figures, some simply there to assist and explain bring the ghosts of Williamsburg to life. These “interpreters” stand between guests and a world that would otherwise be alien to them. Their job is, to translate the world of 18th century Williamsburg so that every guest is able to experience what the museum has to offer.
When one stop to wonder why Williamsburg, VA is such a popular resort destination, keep in mind that in addition to Busch Gardens, Jamestown, all the great golf courses in williamsburg, there is a place where magic happens. This is a place where whole families can spend days traveling to the past. The next time you think to yourself, “We’ll just take an hour on our way and see Williamsburg,” take a few minutes to plan your visit. Even if you have very little time. There is so much happening in Williamsburg, and so many people miss most of it.
