Williamsburg Virginia History

The area had been inhabited by the Powhatan Indians for hundreds of years before the area saw its first English settlement in 1632 as a plantation. The town of Williamsburg was established in 1699 when the capital of Virginia was moved from Jamestown (1699-1779). The College of William and Mary was established in 1693; the General Assembly met there until the Bruton Parish Church was constructed in 1705 as the first Capital (it was destroyed by fire in 1747). The Governor’s Palace, still in existence, was also built in 1705. In 1776 Virginia adopted its first constitution and declared independence. After the capital was moved to Richmond in 1779, the city declined. In 1926, a large-scale restoration project began, financed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Over 700 buildings were removed, 83 colonial buildings were renovated, and 400 buildings were reconstructed on their original sites. Williamsburg retained its colonial appearance with green formal gardens and many craft and trade shops. In 1932, the Raleigh Tavern was the first colonial style business opened to the public. Colonial Williamsburg is now a popular visitor destination where over four million visitors come each year to discover the living museum to the life and times of 17th America.