A college building whose construction began before Williamsburg was founded offers a surprising glimpse into the city’s history. The Sir Christopher Wren Building at William & Mary was built between 1695 and 1700 and is considered the oldest college building in the United States. Williamsburg itself was founded in 1699 as the capital of the Virginia Colony. This sequence makes clear that the history of this place of learning reaches back to before the city’s founding.

A Planned City and Its Political Sites

Founded in 1693, the College of William & Mary shaped the city’s development as a center of learning. Williamsburg was also a political center for a long time: for most of the 18th century, the Capitol was the center of British rule in Virginia. The Governor’s Palace, in turn, served as the residence of two royal governors and Virginia’s first two elected governors. Its gardens and evergreen maze are part of the historic site.

The Raleigh Tavern, established around 1717, adds a place of political exchange to this picture. Some of the most consequential conversations of the American Revolution took place in the Apollo Room. Another connection to the Revolution dates to 1781, when General George Washington assembled the Continental Army in Williamsburg for the siege of nearby Yorktown. These places and events reveal different aspects of the city’s history—from colonial administration to the upheavals of the Revolution.

The African Baptist Meeting House and Burial Ground also tells another part of the place’s story: it was the original permanent site of the First Baptist Church, one of the earliest African American congregations in the United States. In Williamsburg, political institutions, early education, and the history of an African American congregation stand side by side.

Experience Historic Trades and Printing

At Colonial Williamsburg, the focus is not only on buildings. The Historic Trades and Skills community learns and practices more than 20 historic trades and skills, using 18th-century tools and techniques. This puts the knowledge behind the crafts at the center: visitors can explore the steps and tools involved in these skills.

Printing offers a specific example. Visitors can see how type is set and printed using replica printing presses. Examples of printed materials include colonial newspapers, political announcements, pamphlets, and books. Those interested in how news and political ideas were circulated can follow the process from set type to printed page. The demonstrations connect a practical craft with the media of the colonial era without reducing the different printed materials to a single function.

The Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg are also part of a cultural visit. They are free to visit every day of the year—365 days in total. Since this is visitor information, it’s a good idea to check the details again before your trip.

Connecting City History and Landscape

The Colonial Parkway offers another perspective on Williamsburg and the region: the 23-mile scenic road connects Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. There are numerous pull-offs and overlooks with information panels along the route. The road is open to motor vehicles and cyclists. If you plan to cycle, check the latest restrictions in advance; road conditions and closures can change.

Access to the Historic Campus can also be part of your visit planning. Visitors may tour the first two floors of the Sir Christopher Wren Building and the grounds of the Historic Campus. Since access rules can change, it’s a good idea to check them before your visit. This lets you combine an interest in the college’s early history with a look at Williamsburg as a planned colonial city.

The market in Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg is another option if you’re visiting at a particular time: it takes place on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. from February through December. Check the current schedule before your visit. Together with its historic sites, craft demonstrations, and museums, Williamsburg offers a range of ways to explore its history—from a single printing process to the political and educational institutions that shaped the city’s character.

Discover more destinations: Williamsburg, Loudoun, Warren, Hanover County, Wise County, Gloucester County, Westmoreland County, Fairfax City.

For the full travel overview: Virginia.