"Williamsburg: Living History " a Williamsburg Travel Page by Tom_Fields

During the colonial era, this was the capital of the Virginia colony. Sadly, the original town was all but abandoned for many years, and most of it fell into ruin. Then, in the 1920s, restoration began. The Reverend W.A.R. Goodwin of the Bruton Parish Church pooled his knowledge and resources with oilman John D. Rockefeller to rebuild the old colonial town.

Today, the town is operated by a private, non-profit entity called the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. This group provides a valuable educational, historical, and cultural service by maintaining the restored town, providing tours, and teaching about America's early history. For a history buff, any visit to Virginia should include a stop here. It's perfect for a day trip, or an weekend if you include nearby Jamestown.

The original settlement of Jamestown was established May 13, 1607. Recently, the 400th anniversary was celebrated with speeches, visits from the President and Queen of England, and other events. Not much remains of it, but it has been re-created nearby. This is, like Williamsburg, a very educational experience, and a lot of fun.

The actual settlement at Jamestown, along the banks of the James River, was thought to have been completely inundated and no longer accessible. However, recent archeological digs have shown that it's still right next to the river. Work continues. While the old fort is gone, some of the original foundations of the old houses remain. A small museum contains artifacts and a few actual remains of early settlers.