Colonial Williamsburg

  
Photo from https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/

 History that is interactive and engaging does a tremendous job of captivating learners. While various exhibitions and showcases do this remarkably well, nothing is quite as captivating as walking through history itself. Therefore, Colonial Williamsburg is an example of a fantastic public history exhibit.

     Williamsburg, Virginia was an important location during the colonial era. It was the capital of Virginia at the time and was the center of politics, culture, and education. Important figures in United States history such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson spent time in Williamsburg developing what would eventually become the country's principles (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2022).

     While after the revolution the capital was moved up to Richmond, the importance of Williamsburg cannot be understated. Prior to the reconstruction of the town as a historical site, it was a small quiet village. This would change during the 1920s with the reconstruction and development of Colonial Williamsburg (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2022). 
       
      Planning for Colonial Williamsburg began in 1926 with Reverend William Archer Goodwin, with funding supported by John D. Rockefeller (Greenspan, 2021). The reconstructed site stretches over 300 acres, which encircled 85 percent of the original Williamsburg, and buildings that were built prior to 1790 were demolished (The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2022). 
Photo from https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/colonial-williamsburg/

     Colonial Williamsburg’s first public display was opened in 1932, at Raleigh Tavern. Members of Virginia’s House of Burgesses would meet here during the Revolutionary era. The waitstaff at the tavern would become the first Colonial Williamsburg staff to dress in period costume, which is still upheld today (ColonialWilliamsburg.org). 

     What Colonial Williamsburg offers is a look into what colonial America was like prior to the revolution. Staff members walk around in costumes that would have been worn at the time, and famous buildings and landmarks were reconstructed and restored for visitors to see and interact with. Some examples of places that can be visited within Colonial Williamsburg are the Capitol, the Governor’s Palace, the Randolph site, and other various sites around the town (ColonialWilliamsburg.org).

Photo from https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/
     To highlight the different sites around Colonial Williamsburg, I wanted to showcase some of the different exhibitions that are shown on the website. One of the more interesting showcases I saw was the “Anderson Blacksmith Shop”. This allows visitors to see how the tools were made back during the Colonial/Revolutionary era firsthand. 

     While for most of Colonial Williamsburg’s history, it was meant to be visited, in the age of technology and the internet, they offer virtual tours for various attractions. This allows people all around the country to explore Williamsburg from anywhere, allowing history to become more accessible.

Photo from https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/
     Colonial Williamsburg also has different resources and opportunities outlined on its website. One resource for visitors and educators is the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library. The library is home to a wealth of information about colonial British America, Revolutionary America, and the restoration story of Colonial Williamsburg (ColonialWilliamsburg.org).



    Colonial Williamsburg’s website has an entire section dedicated to research and digital history. The site is not afraid to touch on the different aspects of colonial America. It specifically mentions George Washington, while being an important figure in American history, is not completely innocent history. The ability to look at history authentically and acknowledge its complexity is crucial for a site to accomplish.

     Colonial Williamsburg also has plenty of different projects involving archaeology. One project that is currently ongoing is the Curtis Square Archaeology Project. John Curtis IV was a plantation owner who was invested in gardening and landscaping. As the website points out, he is a key figure in the history of Williamsburg (ColonialWilliamsburg.org).
    
     From exploring the Colonial Williamsburg website, it is evident that is a plethora of opportunities offered by the site. For every site and exhibition offered, there is detailed information on the website that allows visitors to plan out what they want to see or do once they arrive at Williamsburg. 

    Whether it is a family vacation, or someone visiting to do scholarly research, Colonial Williamsburg is an important historical site in the United States and offers a great deal of knowledge and education to its visitors. The site is able to be a very popular tourist destination for those around the country and offers historical knowledge to those who want to dive deeper into its history. 


 Sources

 The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. (2022). The history of Colonial Williamsburg. The History of Colonial Williamsburg : The Colonial Williamsburg Official History & Citizenship Site. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://www.slaveryandremembrance.org/Foundation/cwhistory.cfm

 ColonialWilliamsburg.org. (n.d.). Colonial Williamsburg: The World's Largest Living History Museum. Colonial Williamsburg wax seal. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/ 


 Greenspan, C. A. (2021, February 4). Colonial Williamsburg. Encyclopedia Virginia. Retrieved December 14, 2022, from https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/colonial-williamsburg/
Location: Williamsburg, VA, USA

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