Beautiful fall day at Colonial Williamsburg: We live only 30 minutes away from this beautiful and historical restoration.

Robdale Loc: South Carolina

We live only 30 minutes away from this beautiful and historical restoration.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Robdale wrote:

We live only 30 minutes away from this beautiful and historical restoration.

Very fortunate to live so close. When I was stationed in VA I would frequently visit it and get to understand the history.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

please tell the history!

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

dancers wrote:

please tell the history!

Historical background
Williamsburg was the thriving capital of Virginia when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape and the colony was a rich and powerful land stretching west to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes. For 81 formative years, from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. It was here that the fundamental concepts of our republic — responsible leadership, a sense of public service, self-government, and individual liberty — were nurtured under the leadership of patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and Peyton Randolph.

Near the end of the Revolutionary War and through the influence of Thomas Jefferson, the seat of government of Virginia was moved up the peninsula to the safer and more centrally located city of Richmond. For nearly a century and a half afterward, Williamsburg was a simple, quiet college town, home of the College of William and Mary.

Reverend Dr W.A.R. Goodwin
Restoration begins
In 1926, the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, shared his dream of preserving the city's historic buildings with philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the restoration began.

Dr. Goodwin feared that scores of structures that had figured in the life of the colony and the founding of the nation would soon disappear forever. Rockefeller and Goodwin began a modest project to preserve a few of the more important buildings. Eventually, the work progressed and expanded to include a major portion of the colonial town, encompassing approximately 85 percent of the 18th-century capital's original area.

Mr. Rockefeller gave the project his personal leadership until his death in 1960, and it was his quiet generosity of spirit and uncompromising ethic of excellence that guided and still dominates its development. He funded the preservation of more than 80 of the original structures, the reconstruction of many buildings, and also the construction of extensive facilities to accommodate the visiting public.

In the preservation of the setting of Virginia’s 18th-century capital, Mr. Rockefeller and Dr. Goodwin saw an opportunity to ensure that the courageous ideals of the patriots who helped create the American democratic system live on for future generations.

newspaper
Colonial Williamsburg today
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution that receives no regular state or federal funding. The Foundation:

Preserves and interprets the Historic Area.
Operates for-profit subsidiaries, including hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, and golf courses.

dancers Loc: melbourne.victoria, australia

OH! Thank you very much!

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I dearly love Williamsburg and reccomend anyone who has a love of living history, and our nation to visit there. I have family in Yorktown area, but haven't gotten to visit for a couple of years. But Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit and photograph!

roxiemarty Loc: Florida

I dearly love Williamsburg and reccomend anyone who has a love of living history, and our nation to visit there. I have family in Yorktown area, but haven't gotten to visit for a couple of years. But Williamsburg is a wonderful place to visit and photograph!

cameraf4 Loc: Delaware

Robdale wrote:

We live only 30 minutes away from this beautiful and historical restoration.

I love Williamsburg in the Fall. The fallen leaves seem to enhance the historical feel of the place. Your image makes me hungry for some peanut soup (do they still serve it at Christiana Campbell's?).

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Very nice image!

Susan yamakawa

Robdale wrote:

We live only 30 minutes away from this beautiful and historical restoration.

Lucky you 🤗🤗👍👍

aggiedad Loc: Corona, ca

This was a great snd very well witten post !

Ched49 Loc: Pittsburgh, Pa.

If I lived that close, I'd be walking around there every day.

linelink

PixelStan77 wrote:

Historical background
Williamsburg was the thriving capital of Virginia when the dream of American freedom and independence was taking shape and the colony was a rich and powerful land stretching west to the Mississippi River and north to the Great Lakes. For 81 formative years, from 1699 to 1780, Williamsburg was the political, cultural, and educational center of what was then the largest, most populous, and most influential of the American colonies. It was here that the fundamental concepts of our republic — responsible leadership, a sense of public service, self-government, and individual liberty — were nurtured under the leadership of patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason, and Peyton Randolph.

Near the end of the Revolutionary War and through the influence of Thomas Jefferson, the seat of government of Virginia was moved up the peninsula to the safer and more centrally located city of Richmond. For nearly a century and a half afterward, Williamsburg was a simple, quiet college town, home of the College of William and Mary.

Reverend Dr W.A.R. Goodwin
Restoration begins
In 1926, the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin, rector of Bruton Parish Church, shared his dream of preserving the city's historic buildings with philanthropist John D. Rockefeller Jr., and the restoration began.

Dr. Goodwin feared that scores of structures that had figured in the life of the colony and the founding of the nation would soon disappear forever. Rockefeller and Goodwin began a modest project to preserve a few of the more important buildings. Eventually, the work progressed and expanded to include a major portion of the colonial town, encompassing approximately 85 percent of the 18th-century capital's original area.

Mr. Rockefeller gave the project his personal leadership until his death in 1960, and it was his quiet generosity of spirit and uncompromising ethic of excellence that guided and still dominates its development. He funded the preservation of more than 80 of the original structures, the reconstruction of many buildings, and also the construction of extensive facilities to accommodate the visiting public.

In the preservation of the setting of Virginia’s 18th-century capital, Mr. Rockefeller and Dr. Goodwin saw an opportunity to ensure that the courageous ideals of the patriots who helped create the American democratic system live on for future generations.

newspaper
Colonial Williamsburg today
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational institution that receives no regular state or federal funding. The Foundation:

Preserves and interprets the Historic Area.
Operates for-profit subsidiaries, including hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, and golf courses.

Historical background br Williamsburg was the thri... (show quote)

Thanks for the historical background. Used to visit Williamsburg frequently about 40 years ago. Lived in Va. and loved it. The quietude, and relaxation was wonderful without the noise of motorized vehicles and city sounds.

JoAnneK01 Loc: Lahaina, Hawaii

Great historical information which enhances your photos immensely. Mahalo for sharing the wealth of information and your beautiful photos.