The Colonial Williamsburg history site recreates life in 18th century Virginia. The restored village includes commercial and residential structures and living history exhibits depicting the crafts, agriculture, politics, home life and society that made up early Williamsburg. The restoration project began as the mission of two individuals and took decades to complete.
History
Williamsburg was the center of Virginia life from 1699 until 1780 serving as "...the largest, most populous and most influential of the American colonies," according to the Colonial Williamsburg website. After the center of colonial government was transferred to Richmond, Williamsburg was a popular college town.
The Vision
Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, minister of the Bruton Parish Church in Williamsburg, first planned the restoration and preservation of town's historic structures in 1926. The original plan included only a few of the most historic structures, but soon expanded to include the majority of the original capital.
Funding
John D. Rockefeller, Jr. was approached by Dr. Goodwin and the Phi Beta Kappa Society in 1927 and the philanthropist agreed to fund the development of the project. Rockefeller continued to advise and fund projects until his death in 1960.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Rockefeller endowed the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with the necessary capital for future restoration projects and also to preserve the structures that had been restored. Additional museums, halls and the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library have been constructed by the foundation.
Restoration Facts
The Colonial Williamsburg restoration includes "approximately 85 percent of the 18th-century capital's original area," according to the foundation. The restored site has hosted over 100 million guests, including nine U.S. presidents and more than 100 foreign heads of state.
Tags: Colonial Williamsburg, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, historic structures, John Rockefeller, Williamsburg Foundation