Williamsburg Inn

Meetings have been integral to our American heritage since Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry and other ousted members of the House of Burgesses debated independence from King George in the Apollo Room of the Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg in the middle of the 18th century. Indeed, the nations oldest academic honor society " Phi
Beta Kappa " was founded by five College of William and Mary students who held their first meeting in that same Apollo Room, Dec. 5, 1776. Important meetings have been taking place in Williamsburg ever since.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg offers ideal venues for 21st-century meetings and conferences of all types. And, when groups hold an event in one of the properties of Colonial Williamsburgs Resort Collection, they help to preserve the very history of our country. The Resort Collection is owned by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the private, not-forprofit
educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century revolutionary capital of Virginia. Purchase of Colonial Williamsburg resort products and services supports the foundations preservation, research, and educational programs. Colonial Williamsburgs first benefactor was John D. Rockefeller Jr., whose mission for the Foundation he generously supported was that the future may learn from the past.

The Resort Collection provides several conference settings to serve the individual needs of every group, from intimate to expansive, luxurious to economical, and corporate to casual. The renowned Williamsburg Inn offers 62 guest rooms and 9,000 square feet of meeting and function space with elegant Regency-style dcor. The nearby Providence Hall,
which accommodated President Reagan during the G7 Economic Summit, provides an executive board room in a secluded 18th-century home that includes fireplaces, three spacious bedrooms with sitting rooms and private baths, a library, garden room, terrace and adjoining carriage house with two additional bedrooms and baths.

The folk-art inspired Williamsburg Lodge is one of the Mid Atlantics premier meeting and conference locations with 323 guest rooms and suites. The facility " which received an extensive renovation and expansion in 2006 " offers leisure and conference guests gracious Southern hospitality and special amenities with 45,000 square feet of versatile function
space, an 11,200-square-foot ballroom (Virginia Room), a 6,700-square-foot ballroom (Colony Room), 28 meeting rooms and four outdoor event areas. The Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites provides superb value in a beautiful setting, with 300 guest rooms and suites and 12,812 square feet of function space overlooking a serene stream and waterfall.

The Resort Collection offers the unique opportunity to incorporate various elements of Colonial Williamsburgs historical programming into the meeting agenda. Options range from hosting a spirited debate between Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson (portrayed by Colonial Williamsburgs interpreters) to receiving an escort from the celebrated Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. When the meetings adjourn, groups can enjoy a range of recreational activities including admission to Colonial Williamsburgs Historic Area " the worlds largest living history museum " and access to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, unique shopping with more than 40 boutiques and dining options to suit many different tastes and price ranges. Colonial Williamsburg is easily accessible with convenient proximity to three international airports within a 45-minute radius.

May 19, 2008

Journey to 18th-century Williamsburg and the American Revolution on just one tank of gas

The drama of life during the American Revolution in 18th-century Williamsburg and memorable family experiences of The Revolutionary City are just one tank of gas away. Park your vehicle on arrival and board Colonial Williamsburg's natural gas-powered buses for free transportation throughout America's Historic Triangle - Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown. A 20-bus fleet offers convenient transportation for ticketed guests every 20 minutes from the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center to the Historic Area and the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and provides regular service to Jamestown and Yorktown along the scenic Colonial Parkway. When you're ready to return home, your car will be waiting for you.


Embark on a family adventure in The Revolutionary City and live the life and times of the residents of 18th-century Williamsburg as they evolve from royal subjects of the British king to self-governing citizens of a new nation. Live the experience with them as they see "The Collapse of Royal Government," endure the trials and triumphs of "Citizens at War," and set about "Building a Nation."


"Get Revved!" is the newest addition to the daily, award-winning Revolutionary City interactive dramatic presentation. Geared to younger guests, "Get Revved!" prepares young citizens for their Revolutionary City experience and offers the chance to interact one-on-one with some of the People of the Past portrayed in "The Revolutionary City."


At the Brickyard in the Historic Area, youngsters stomp around - knee-deep in the clay pit -- assisting the brickmakers attain the proper mix of clay and water then transfer the molded clay to drying beds to make real bricks.


Re-fuel family energies with dinner in a colonial tavern offering historic favorites and savory dishes for today's tastes. Balladeers and other entertainers provide a rousing finish to a family meal.


Family fun continues into the evening in the Revolutionary City After Dark. Young patriots and their families will enjoy programs that include "Gambols" - lively 18th-century entertainments including balladeers and period games at Chowning's Tavern - plus "African American Music" at Great Hopes Plantation, "Dance, Our Dearest Diversion" at the Capitol, Lanthorn Tours of historic trades shops by candlelight and "Mama Said, Papa Said" - a compelling oral history experience of the enslaved - at the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum.


The Museums of Colonial Williamsburg offer several summer programs suited for younger guests:


"Wee Folk" explores the museum galleries with fun stories and activities (ages 3-7) ,

"Crack The Code" investigates the secret codes of the American Revolution (8 and older),

"Small Wonders" tours "A Child's Eye View" exhibition of toy trains, dolls and dollhouses, and

"Teen Tours" are self-guided audio tours of the museums that were created and recorded by local high school students and reflect their unique perspectives and interests.

"Colonial Kids Club" is a popular day camp for children of hotel guests offered from mid-June to Aug. 31. Daily supervised activities for children aged 5 - 12 include arts and crafts, 18th-century children's games, visits to kid-friendly sites in the Historic Area, lunch and the company of other children. Activities vary daily and offer parents confidence their children are safe, secure and engaged under the direction of qualified activities counselors.


While the children are engaged in activities with other youngsters, moms and dads can seize the opportunity to enjoy a few simple pleasures of their own. Whether it be a challenging round of golf on one of the Golden Horseshoe golf courses, a rejuvenating visit to The Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, shopping in the Historic Area stores and Merchants Square, or perusing the new menu for a leisurely lunch in one of the colonial taverns, when opportunity knocks, savor the moment for some personal time.


Your one-tank journey begins by calling 1-800-HISTORY for information about family vacation packages, or visit us online at www.history.org.


Established in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is the not-for-profit educational institution that preserves and operates the restored 18th-century Revolutionary capital of Virginia as a town-sized living history museum, telling the inspirational stories of our nation's founding men and women. Within the restored and reconstructed buildings, historic interpreters, attired as colonial men and women from slaves to shopkeepers to soldiers, relate stories of colonial Virginia society and culture - stories of our journey to become Americans - while historic tradespeople research, demonstrate and preserve the 18th-century world of work and industry. As Colonial Williamsburg interprets life in the time of the American Revolution for its guests, it also invites them to interact with history. "Revolutionary City" - a daily dramatic live street theater presentation - is a 2008 Rand McNally Best-of-the-Road Editor's Pick. Williamsburg is located in Virginia's Tidewater region, 20 minutes from Newport News, within an hour's drive of Richmond and Norfolk, and 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., off Interstate 64. For more information about Colonial Williamsburg, call 1-800-HISTORY or visit Colonial Williamsburg's Web site at www.history.org.

Media Contact:
Jim Bradley
(757) 220-7281