Virginia Counties - Williamsburg

The City of Williamsburg is located between James City and York Counties on the Virginia Peninsula, in the Hampton Roads area. It is serviced by I-64, as well as the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport, located approximately 20 minutes away. Williamsburg was founded as the capital of the Virginia colony in 1699, and was named after King William III, the reigning monarch of England. Although the capital has now moved to Richmond, Williamsburg has maintained its historical significance through its dedicated preservation of the Colonial sections of the city.

Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg can tour the College of William and Mary, the second oldest university in the United States. Founded in 1693, the College educated many of our nations' Founding Fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and James Madison. The Wren Building, located across the street from Colonial Williamsburg, was built between 1695 and 1699 by Sir Christopher Wren, who also designed St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and served as the original building for the College. It now contains a chapel, popular for weddings, and continues to house courses at the College.

Colonial Williamsburg provides visitors and residents with a chance to tour many of the original buildings of the 17th century, as well as an ongoing full-scale recreation of colonial life. Colonial Williamsburg is home of the House of Burgesses, the seat of the British colonial government, as well as and the Governor's Palace, both dated to the 17th century and open to the public. Fine dining and unique shops line Duke of Glouchester Street, a cobblestone road that allows visitors to walk from the Wren Building to the Governor's Palace, a one mile scenic tour which passes the Bruton Parish Church, dated to as well as animal pastures and recreations of colonial daily life.

Colonial Williamsburg and surrounding areas are also home to many historic homes from many periods in Virginia history. Bassett Hall, built in 1753, is a two story home which sits on 585 acres of lawn and gardens, was once owned by JD Rockefeller and is now open to the public. The James Geddy house was constructed in 1762 and restored in the mid 20th century, and is also open to the public as part of the Colonial Williamsburg tour. Many of the taverns located in Colonial Williamsburg have also been converted into upscale restaurants, offering visitors the chance to sample Colonial Virginia fine dining in early 18th century taverns.