The story of America begins here. In Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area, you can see hundreds of restored, reconstructed, and historically furnished buildings from the Colonial and Revolutionary eras. You can meet the men and women—black, white, and Native American, enslaved and free—who built a new nation. And you can experience the enduring relevance of America’s founding documents and principles. This practical guide features Historic sites, including public buildings, private homes, and taverns Historic trades Art Museums Resorts, dining, and shopping More than 200 illustrations and maps

The first all-new edition of the official guide since 1985, Colonial Williamsburg is the first guide to focus on the Revolutionary City. It includes a comprehensive history of Williamsburg's role in the Revolution, followed by site-by-site descriptions of what happened here and why it mattered and still matters. Also featured are: Photo essays highlighting key scenes from the Revolution, Biographies of Revolutionary figures, Architectural histories, Treasures of the Art Museums, Hotels, Taverns and Restaurants, Recreation, and Shopping. More than 500 color photos.

In Creating Colonial Williamsburg, Anders Greenspan examines the restoration and re-creation of the structures and gardens of Virginia's colonial capital beginning in 1926. The restoration was undertaken by the Rockefeller family, whose aim was to promote a twentieth-century appreciation for eighteenth-century ideals. Ironically, those ideals, including democracy, individualism, and representative government, were often promoted at the expense of a more complete understanding of the town's true history. The meaning and purpose of Colonial Williamsburg has changed over time, along with America's changing social and political landscapes, making the study of this historic site a unique and meaningful entry point to understanding the shifting modern American character. In recent years, financial struggles and declining attendance forced a new interpretation of the town, extending the presentation into the period of the American Revolution, while adding new interpretive approaches such as street theater and a greater emphasis on technology. Over its eighty-year history, says Greenspan, Colonial Williamsburg has grown and matured, while still retaining its emphasis on the importance of eighteenth-century values and their application in the modern world.

Explore the grounds of Colonial Williamsburg with this unique seek-and-find alphabet book offering beautiful photographs with hidden animals on every page. Discover everything from sheep pastures and underground ice houses to walled gardens and winding hedge mazes. Included are fun facts about Colonial Williamsburg's history in an illustrated glossary and a kid-friendly map for planning your journey. Whether you use this book as a guide for an upcoming visit to Colonial Williamsburg or as a souvenir to commemorate your stay, a magical adventure awaits you and your family!

Pewter was the metal of choice for household goods in England and America in the seventeenth and into the eighteenth centuries. Immense quantities of porringers, candlesticks, plates, and other items could be found on both sides of the Atlantic. The collection of British pewter at Colonial Williamsburg, which illustrates the development of basic forms and types of decoration, is remarkable for its breadth and detail. The collection also contains a number of American examples that often exhibit regional and individual preferences.

“Christmas is come, hang on the pot, Let spits turn round, and ovens be hot; Beef, pork, and poultry, now provide, To feast thy neighbours at this tide; Then wash all down with good wine and beer, And so with mirth conclude the YEAR.” So wrote an anonymous poet in the 1765 edition of the Virginia Almanack, published in Williamsburg. Drawing on eighteenth-century traditions, Colonial Williamsburg has become famous for its celebrations of the Christmas season. In Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area—and in the pages of this lavishly illustrated book—you’ll find wreaths and roping crafted from greenery, fruit, and other natural materials; boards groaning under the weight of holiday fare; cressets warming the streets and candles flickering in the windows of the town’s homes and taverns; fireworks lighting up such iconic buildings as the Capitol and the Governor’s Palace. In colonial times and today, Christmas in Williamsburg not a day but a season—and one this book lets you experience throughout the year.

In the 1770s before the United States was a nation, most people lived on farms. But Williamsburg in Virginia Colony was a busy town with wide streets, grand public buildings, bustling shops, and a large market square—and 2,000 people! Find out how Williamsburg today gives us a fascinating window into America's past.

Insiders' Guide to Williamsburg and Virginia's Historic Triangle is the essential source for in-depth travel and relocation information to Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. Written by a local (and true insider), this guide offers a personal and practical perspective of the cities and the surrounding environs.

Children of all ages will enjoy coloring or painting the thirty-four delightful drawings that show scenes of Colonial Williamsburg-animals, tradespeople, historic buildings, and more.