WILLIAMSBURG — With leaves soon to begin changing colors and autumn rapidly approaching, Colonial Williamsburg is planning a wide range of activities and programs for visitors.
“From strolling down the most historic street in America with a warm cup of cider to listening to authentic 18th-century colonial ghost stories during an official Colonial Williamsburg Haunted Williamsburg tour, here are some of the activities visitors can enjoy when choosing a Colonial Williamsburg adventure, as well as dining and lodging updates for this fall season,” it said in a press release.
The highlights (full list of activities here):
- Constitution Day Celebration (Sept. 17): Colonial Williamsburg celebrates the signing of the U.S. Constitution with a free event “To Support and Defend,” which will bring the history of America’s governing document to life through a combination of music and spoken word.
- LGBTQIA+ History Month Programming (October): Related programming allows visitors to interact with members of Colonial Williamsburg’s Gender and Sexual Diversity Research Committee as they share some of the research they have uncovered. Visitors can also experience “Isaac Bickerstaff: The Deed Without A Name,” presented by the Governor’s Musick and the Gender and Sexual Diversity Committee, which tells the tale of a once-famous musical playwright.
- Veterans Day (Nov. 11): Veterans Day programming begins with a ceremony on Palace Green honoring the men and women who served in the United States Armed Forces followed by a march and ceremony honoring America’s veterans featuring the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. Colonial Williamsburg will offer free admission during Veterans Day weekend to all active-duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, National Guard members, and their immediate dependents Friday through Sunday, Nov. 11-13.
- American Indian Heritage Month and First American Indian Nation Builder (November): To learn about the various roles that American Indians played in 18th-century Williamsburg, guests can visit the American Indian Encampment, attend the American Indian Life Series program, or catch “My Story, My Voice – Joseph Martin, Indian Agent,” a new program this season. Additionally, visitors can meet Colonial Williamsburg’s newest Nation Builder: Oconostota, a respected member of the Cherokee nation and a part of a Cherokee delegation that came to Williamsburg in 1777.
- Interactive Historic Area Activities: Enjoy a host of hands-on activities throughout the fall, including the Musket Range experience, interactive workshops with historic tradespeople, and botanical art and DIY workshops with expert floral designers. There will also be a variety of walking tours throughout the Historic Area exploring topics such as women’s roles in the 18th century, the lives of enslaved tradespeople, and perspectives from various 18th-century Virginia residents.
- New Exhibitions at the Art Museums: Discover the latest exhibitions at the Art Museums, such as “Making Music in Early America,” which immerses visitors in the musical world of the 18th century, and “I Made This…” opening in late October, an exhibition of objects crafted by enslaved and free Black artisans in Virginia and elsewhere. The exhibition includes ceramics, furniture, metalware, needlework, quilts, paintings, and sculpture.
- Fall Into Holiday Promotion: Now until Oct. 31, 2022, guests can purchase a promotional pass for the price of a multi-day ticket and get unlimited visits until the end of this year. The promotional offer is based on the full retail price of a multi-day ticket of $56.99 (adult) and $30.99 (youth, 6-12).
Additional activities as well as dining, shopping, and lodging deals can be found on Colonial Williamsburg’s Visit this Fall page. For more about Colonial Williamsburg and the organization’s mission, check out the website.