About Activity
We will discuss the different philosophies of architectural preservation between Europe and the United States during the late 19th and 20th Century and how it applies to the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. The restoration materials of Colonial Williamsburg had to appear as if they were constructed in the 18th Century. For example, the roofs of many of the reconstructed buildings were man made fire retardant composites, and the masonry emulated the original bound of the public buildings.
When the Main College was rededicated as the Wren building, credit was given to the the famous English Architect, Sir Christopher Wren. However, there is no proof that this is true. The base of this building is a Flemish design as opposed to the English bond. As the Wren building stands today, it is a redesign of the building that existed in 1733.
It will be a comprehensive discussion of the vision of Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockfeller, Jr. that resulted in Colonial Williamsburg.
Includes
- Official Colonial Williamsburg Map
Excludes
- Lunch
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Bottled water
- Private transportation
Stop At: Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included They will see original and reproductions of Colonial Williamsburg's architecture and watch films, if desired.
Stop At: Governor's Palace Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included We will enter the Governor's Palace and tour the exterior and interior of the palace, surrounding buildings and gardens.
Stop At: Colonial Williamsburg Capitol Building Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included We will view the interior and exterior of the Capitol building.
Stop At: Bruton Parish Episcopal Church Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included We will view the exterior and interior of the church.
Stop At: William & Mary Admission Ticket:
Tickets are included We will view the exterior and interior of the Sir Christopher Wren building.
Public transportation options are available nearby Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries Not recommended for pregnant travelers Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness Not recommended for children and teenagers younger than 17 Operated by Williamsburg Architectural Gems For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Amazing experience Gary_C
Having visited Williamsburg multiple times previously, I booked this tour for my wife and myself hoping to get an in depth experience with a local historian and add some knowledge on the restoration and the architecture at the time. Our guide Dennis could not have been more impressive. His historical preservation background and knowledge of building and architecture were exactly what I was hoping for. We walked and talked for hours and the time flew by. This tour is not inexpensive but I would book it again in a heartbeat. This tour will give a much more in depth knowledge of Williamsburg and its restoration. Thank you for including this tour in your collection. It is definitely one of the highlights of our Williamsburg memories.
Excellent tour!G8231OLdanv
Excellent experience with this architectural tour. Great combo of the history, culture and architectural designs in Williamsburg. Highly recommended!
Dennis was absolutely...Curt_B
Dennis was absolutely great! Super knowledgeable and a great conversationalist. Would highly recommend him! I’d take this tour all over again without any hesitation
Great tour, knowledgeable guide!NOLASaintsfan1971
We had a great experience with Dennis touring some of our nation's most historic buildings, learning different architectural designs and touring inside Colonial Williamsburg's buildings. Two thumbs up!
Architectural Tour of Williamsburgelainerswartz
Mar 20, 2023, 12:25:02 PM Excellent tour. The leader was very knowledgeable and personable. He answered all my questions. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants in-depth information on the buildings in Colonial Williamsburg
Informative and InsightfulSteve P
Mar 20, 2023, 11:24:58 AM I’ve been to CW many times and never stopped to looked closely at the intricate architectural detail of the buildings. This tour provided a detailed and intimate look at period design and architecture. The host was a wealth of knowledge and information, describing details one may normally overlook when experiencing the history of CW. I learned things I never knew before and strongly recommend this tour for any history of architecture lover. Come prepared for a great educational experience. I would not recommend this tour for children, as it does go in depth into architecture and leaves out the “entertainment” factor kids would likely desire from CW.
Worth every penny, I would highly recommend this tour, top rate, five-starBambi_W
Five-star tour to learn about Colonial Williamsburg architecture and restoration. I was extremely impressed how he connected the British and Colonial architecture to Palladianism. The history of Williamsburg was explained in detail without being boring and our tour guide's enthusiasm and sense of humor was wonderful. The Governor's Palace was the prime example of Palladianism and Georgian designs. I was surprised that the tour included us with a one-day pass for Colonial Williamsburg buildings. It was worth every penny.
