Exploring an American Revolution Town
Williamsburg helps students fully experience the time of the American Revolution.
By Kristen Kindoll
For teachers or families looking to get out of the classroom and see history up close, there is no better stop than Colonial Williamsburg. The historic site provides an authentic depiction of 18th century life in Virginia, allowing visitors to step inside the minds of colonists who helped spark the American Revolution. The museum is open year-round for visitors to learn about our country's history. For those who don't live close enough to visit this historic site, a virtual tour of Williamsburg allows students to learn about the town and the birth of the American Revolution.
What to do in Williamsburg
Williamsburg, also known as the Revolutionary City, is host to a wide variety of engaging activities. Convincing actors reenact a variety of events, including the royal government collapse, George Washington’s march to Yorktown, and a reading of the “just” released Declaration of Independence. Each scene aims to provide a historically-accurate depiction, taking viewers back in time as the events unfold.
There are several ways to get “the secrets and history” of Williamsburg. Take a 30 minute orientation tour and talk to the guides, who make the rich experience come alive with tips, historical information, and insights into the world of Williamsburg during the 1700’s. Watch the movie Williamsburg, The Story of a Patriot for a great overview of the town and an interesting historical fiction story. As a special treat, have a delicious meal at Shield’s Tavern, which opened its doors in the 1740’s. Make reservations early because the tavern books up quickly.
While staying in Williamsburg, consider a day trip to Jamestown and Yorktown using the free bus transportation between each site. At the Yorktown museum, visitors can load a cannon, which is a great hands-on experience. Jamestown has an archeaological site and a re-creation of a historic town where children try on period costumes, talk to Native Americans, and see a blacksmith in action.
In the fall, Williamsburg has a special “home-schooling” event where you are able to engage in special activities and meet other home-schooling families. There are no crowds, which means lines are non-existent. Another great time to visit is during the winter holidays. The festive lights and dusting of snow make the holiday season an especially magical time to engage in this historical journey. During this time, visitors can dine with Thomas Jefferson or listen to a retelling of A Christmas Carol by one of Charles Dickens' descendants. They can also watch the preparations at the governor’s mansion for Lady Dunmore’s fancy dress ball. While the weather can be a bit wet at this time of year, the museum and re-enactments are open rain or shine.
Virtual Williamsburg
For those who can't visit Williamsburg, a virtual trip is available. Visit the Williamsburg website to find podcasts, pictures, games, and other interactive features to help children understand the importance of the historic site. Below, find a variety of lessons to support an exploration of Williamsburg and the American Revolution.
American Revolution Lessons:
Using a well thought-out design, this lesson aims to teach students about architecture and its reflection of culture during the colonial years of America. Providing an extensive list of extensions, including differentiation ideas, technology connections, and links to Library of Congress primary sources, this lesson is certain to meet the needs of 4th-6th graders looking to learn more about the colonial time period.
With a succinct overview of Jamestown's historical background, this lesson could be printed as an introduction to this city. The worksheet with short answer questions could be preprinted and used as a pre- or post-activity in conjunction with a visit to the city, either real or virtual.
This lesson provides a brief biography of George Washington and a series of short-answer questions to check comprehension. It would serve well as background information when studying the revolution.
In this lesson, students compare Christmas traditions from various time periods by reading American Girl books. The Felicity series is a superb car ride read or book on tape. It makes Williamsburg even more interesting because the book refers to actual streets and shops in the town.