Williamsburg

Williamsburg, historic city (1990 pop. 11,530), seat of James City co., SE Va., on a peninsula between the James and York rivers; settled 1632 as Middle Plantation, laid out and renamed 1699, inc. 1722. It is a popular tourist attraction and is also important as the seat (since 1693) of the College of William and Mary in Virginia. Eastern State Hospital (1773) contributes to the economy. Williamsburg became the temporary capital after the burning of Jamestown (1676) during Bacon's Rebellion, then served as capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1779. It was the scene of important conventions during the movement for American independence, but it declined after the capital was moved (1779) to Richmond. In the Peninsular campaign of the Civil War a rearguard action was fought there (May 5, 1862) between retreating Confederates and McClellan's forces. In 1926, with the financial support of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., a large-scale restoration of the city was begun; 700 buildings were removed, 83 were renovated, and 413 were rebuilt on their original sites. Williamsburg retains its colonial appearance, with green formal gardens and many craft shops where revived trades are practiced. Among the historic structures are the colonial capitol (reconstructed); Raleigh Tavern (reconstructed), rendezvous of Revolutionary patriots; the courthouse of 1770; the Bruton Parish Church (1710–15); the governor's palace (reconstructed); the public gaol; and the magazine. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller museum houses a noted folk art collection. The Colonial Parkway passes through Williamsburg, connecting it with the Jamestown and Yorktown sections of Colonial National Historical Park (see National Parks and Monuments, table).

Bibliography

See J. A. Osborne, Williamsburg in Colonial Times (1936, repr. 1972); J. J. Walket, Jr., and T. K. Ford, A Window on Williamsburg (rev. ed. 1983).

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Williamsburg

City (pop., 2000: 11,998), southeastern Virginia, U.S. Located on a tidewater peninsula between the James and York rivers, it was settled in 1633 as Middle Plantation and served as a refuge from Indian attacks. The College of William and Mary was founded there in 1693. After the burning of nearby Jamestown in 1699, it became the capital of Virginia until 1780, when the capital was moved to Richmond. During the American Civil War, Confederate forces were defeated at the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862. Colonial Williamsburg, an extensive restoration of several hundred colonial buildings, was begun in 1926 and became part of the Colonial National Historical Park in 1936.

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Williamsburg

a city in SE Virginia: the capital of Virginia (1693--1779); the restoration of large sections of the colonial city was begun in 1926. Pop.: 11 605 (2003 est.)

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Williamsburg

monument of American colonial period; settled in 1632. [Am. Hist.: Hart, 930]

See : Colonization

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Williamsburg (Independent City), Virginia

401 Lafayette St
Williamsburg, VA 23185
Phone: (757) 220-6100
Fax: (757) 220-6107
www.ci.williamsburg.va.us

In southeastern VA on the peninsula between the James and York rivers, 27 mi. northwest of Newport News. Capital of VA, 1699-1780. Site of College of William and Mary. Serves as county seat for James City County. Name Origin: Established in 1633 as Middle Plantation. Renamed in 1699 for William III (1650-1702), king of England; incorporated as a city in 1884.

Area (sq mi): 8.67 (land 8.54; water 0.13). Pop per sq mi: 1376.00.
Pop 2005: 11,751. State rank: 109. Pop change: 2000-20005 -2.10%; 1990-2000 4.10%. Pop 2000: 11,998 (White 77.90%; Black or African American 13.30%; Hispanic or Latino 2.50%; Asian 4.60%; Other 2.70%). Foreign born: 5.20%. Median age: 22.60.
Income 2000: per capita $18,483; median household $37,093; Pop below poverty level: 18.30%. *Personal per capita income 2000-2003: $34,850-$38,466.
Unemployment 2004: 7.70%. Change from 2000: 1.70%. Median travel time to work: 18.00 minutes. Working outside county of residence: 47.80%.

Cities with population over 10,000: None.

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Virginia