Colonial Williamsburg is looking to expand where its Revolutionary City programming can be performed, submitting a letter to the City of Williamsburg to ask for permission.
John Bacon, senior vice president for external affairs at Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, submitted the letter May 20 to City Manager Jack Tuttle to request an amendment to its special events license for a 60-day trial. The amendment would allow Revolutionary City programming, which begins at the Colonial Capitol at Blair Street, to extend down Duke of Gloucester Street as far as Queen Street — a two-block expansion.
Access would be restricted to Colonial Williamsburg ticket and pass holders between 10:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. daily.
Bacon said the 60-day trial would begin June 17, coinciding with the kickoff of Colonial Williamsburg’s summer programming.
Revolutionary City is a live street performance in Colonial Williamsburg that interacts with guests, engaging them in history brought to life by interpreters.
“The expanded Revolutionary City programming will encompass more action, ambiance and activities by creating an authentic streetscape as a backdrop to the dramatic events that unfolded in 18th-century Williamsburg …” Bacon wrote in the letter.
Williamsburg City Council will consider the request and hold a public hearing on it at its 2 p.m. meeting June 13.
“I think Revolutionary City and Rev Quest have been important changes in programming for Colonial Williamsburg, and I think they’ve both been a terrific success in engaging people in different ways,” said City of Williamsburg Mayor Clyde Haulman. “I think at this point it makes a lot of sense to go ahead and do it but let’s see what the changes are, how they work out, and we’ll have a chance to come back and see how it did at the end of the summer. I think it will be a terrific success.”
The expansion would include additional programming, including three large crowd scenes, throughout the day. The stories will portray the nation’s founders, ordinary workers, tradesmen, merchants, retailers, enslaved people and Native Americans.
“I think it could be a lot more exciting and active and dynamic and the kind of thing that should attract people here,” said Bacon in an interview with WYDaily.
For more information on Revolutionary City, including ticket information, visit Colonial Williamsburg’s website.
City Council meets at the Stryker Building at 412 N. Boundary St. For more information on City Council, visit its website.
