How to experience colonial Williamsburg?

From 1699 to 1780 Williamsburg was the capital of England’s oldest, largest and most populous colony and the seat of power in the new nation’s most influential state. Named in honor of William III, King of England and designed by Royal Gov. Francis Nicholson, Williamsburg is one of the country’s oldest planned communities.

Historic Area
Encompassing 301 acres, Colonial Williamsburgs Historic Area programming portrays 18th century Williamsburg on the eve of the American Revolution. Throughout the city, an engaging mix of sights, sounds and activities help guests reconnect with Americas past and become active participants in 18th century life. Important Historic Area sites include: the Governors Palace, the symbol of British authority in the colony; the Capitol, the seat of colonial power and site of Virginia’s vote for independence on May 15, 1776, and home to the General Assembly from 1776 to 79; the Peyton Randolph site, an “urban plantation”; Raleigh Tavern, where Virginia patriots met to discuss independence in open defiance of the Crown; George Wythe House, home of Thomas Jefferson’s teacher and friend; and the James Geddy House and Foundry, site of an up and coming family business. The Historic Area is protected from modern intrusions by a 2,800 acre greenbelt.

Museums
Colonial Williamsburg operates the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg: the Public Hospital, which provides exhibits that document the treatment of mental illness from the hospitals founding in 1773 to its destruction by fire in 1885; the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum that displays the Foundation’s exceptional collection of British and American decorative arts; the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum in expanded quarters adjacent to the Wallace Museum with 11 galleries in 10,400 square feet of exhibition space. In addition, the Foundation also operates Bassett Hall, the Williamsburg home of Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller Jr.

Dining
Colonial Williamsburg operates four dining taverns in the Historic Area. Each tavern offers unique 18th century style menus served in authentic colonial surroundings: Chownings serves light fare, spirits and 18th century Gambols; Christiana Campbells is the place for seafood; Shields is a coffee house serving light fare, coffee, tea and spirits; and Kings Arms Taverns is a full service chop house offering selections including peanut soup and roast prime rib of beef. Guests looking for a more elegant setting also can dine in the Williamsburg Inns award winning Regency Room or the new Williamsburg Lodge restaurant, serving regional favorites from the Chesapeake and local markets.

The 45 hole Golden Horseshoe Golf Club includes the award-winning Gold Course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr; the Green Course, designed by his son, Rees Jones; and Spotswood, a nine hole executive course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. The Golden Horseshoe will host the 2007 Mens NCAA Division I Championship. Both courses were named to the 2006 2007 Zagat Readers’ Survey of Americas Top Golf Courses. Guests at Colonial Williamsburg’s hotels also can enjoy swimming pools, tennis courts, lawn bowling greens, lawn croquet, shuffleboard, bicycling and miniature golf.

While the outdoorsy types hit the links, those wanting a little less activity in their day can hit the massage table. A team of world renowned experts collaborated to create The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, a full-service spa that exudes Southern charm, harmonizes with its historical surroundings and reflects the personality of its colonial heritage. Extensive research into treatments dating to Native Americans, English settlers, African Americans and immigrants from near and far influenced 21st-century treatments designed to soothe, refresh and calm. The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg is open to guests of the resort and to day visitors.

Shopping
Guests can purchase authentic reproductions, Colonial Williamsburg foods and other products in Historic Area shops, at the Colonial Nursery, and from merchants booths at Market Square. Outside the Historic Area, Colonial Williamsburg operates retail stores that range from WILLIAMSBURG Booksellers at the Visitor Center to WILLIAMSBURG At Home, the flagship store for WILLIAMSBURG home furnishings, decorative accessories and gifts.

In addition, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates Merchants Square. Recognized as one of the first planned shopping malls in the United States, Merchants Square is home to 42 shops and restaurants, including local and national specialty stores and a variety of dining options.

Historic Trades
Colonial Williamsburgs trades program presents and demonstrates early technology and its relevance to 21st century guests. The tradesmen and women of the program are professional, full-time artisans dedicated to specific trades, including brickmaking, culinary, carpentry, apothecary, gunsmith and saddlery. To ensure that skills are passed on, the trades have a formal training program. Tradesmen begin in an apprentice position to develop basic skills. Upon completion of the six- or seven-year program, the apprentice becomes a journeyman or journeywoman. The most skilled artisans are masters. Guests can witness these artisans at work in Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area.

Archaeological Research
Colonial Williamsburgs Department of Archaeological Research oversees the largest colonial period archaeological collection in the United States, consisting of several million objects and fragments recovered during more than 70 years of excavation; and extensive comparative historic period faunal and archaeo-botanical collections. The department offers extensive interpretations of on-going excavations, guided behind the scenes tours of laboratories and public participation programs including school group visits.

Getting There
Williamsburg is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., near Interstate 64 (exit 238). Guests can fly into Norfolk, Newport News Williamsburg and Richmond International airports. All have rental car and limousine services. Amtrak also serves the Williamsburg Transportation Center with a connecting train from Washington, D.C. The center is just blocks from the Historic Area and provides car rentals, a cab stand and Greyhound Bus connections.

Colonial Williamsburgs operating hours generally are 9-5 but vary by season. The historic area is open 365 days a year.

Accommodations
Colonial Williamsburg guests may choose from 1,000 guest rooms in five hotel properties: the elegant Williamsburg Inn; 26 individual Colonial Houses where guests can immerse themselves in the 18th century; the newly renovated and expanded Williamsburg Lodge; the contemporary Woodlands Hotel & Suites nestled in the woods near the Visitor Center; and the moderately priced Governors Inn, located four blocks from Merchants Square. Vacation packages include length-of-stay passes to the Historic Area and special rates for evening programs. Details are available online at www.ColonialWilliamsburg.com

Conference Facilities
Meetings have been important to Williamsburg since members of the House of Burgesses met in the Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern to protest British taxation of the colonies. The Williamsburg Lodge re-opened in late 2006 with new and expanded conference facilities offering 45,000 square feet of flexible meeting space and 28 versatile function rooms. Audiovisual and technological services are located throughout the conference center. The 12,000-square-foot Virginia Room overlooks the 24 mile Colonial Parkway and is complemented by the 7,000-square-foot Colony Room and four outdoor entertainment venues. The conference center is located adjacent to the Historic Area and across the street from The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg and the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club.

Courtesy of grouptravelblog.com