Afternoon: Arrival Check-In Welcome Class: "Introduction to Williamsburg and Colonial Williamsburg", an overview of the rich history of the colonial capital, from its beginnings at Jamestown Island through its flourishing as the center of eighteenth century Virginia culture to its decline at the end of the American Revolution.

Dinner: Enjoy a good, traditional style dinner with a Southern accent, served buffet style in a private dining area. All dinners for the week will be in this venue.

Evening: Road Scholar Introductions Program Overview

Lodging: Clarion Hotel Historic District

Meals Included: Dinner

Note: The visit to Historic Jamestowne includes an extended walk of nearly a mile over slightly rolling terrain on paved and gravel paths. Participants who may have difficulty with the walk can remain in the Visitor Center which offers both detailed exhibits and a fascinating "in the round" video of the Jamestown story.

Breakfast: Start the day with a generous buffet breakfast in our private dining area.

Morning: Class: "The Powhatan Indians and Their World", a detailed look at the culture of the Eastern Woodland Indians who had occupied the Tidewater region of Virginia for centuries before the coming of the first Europeans. Their day to day lives, government, social structure and more will be discussed. Class: "Jamestown in the Early Years", Learn about the motivations that brought the first English settlers to the area and the hardships they faced in the first few decades as they struggled to make their colony a permanent outpost in the New World. Consider the challenges they faced including famine and an unfamiliar climate, not to mention a native population that was not particularly pleased to find these strange invaders in its midst.

Lunch: A lighter mid-day fare will be served in our private dining area.

Afternoon: Field Trip: "Historic Jamestowne" Visit the site of the original fort and view the area now under investigation by archaeologists. Depending on the season, you may see members of the team actively working at the dig. Historic Jamestowne also includes a new Visitor Center with introductory film and exhibits, recently completed as part of the upgrades of the island for the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. There will also be time to explore the incredible exhibits of artifacts uncovered at the dig in the architecturally unique Archaearium, with a "see-through" floor that lets you view the foundation of the 17th century statehouse. Class: "You, the Archaeologist", Investigate how archaeology helps us learn about early America, often changing our accepted notions of what life was like centuries ago. Learn about the important role this science plays in interpreting the past for modern visitors who come to the Historic Triangle.

Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.

Evening: Performance: "A Lady of the Seventeenth Century" What better way to experience the 1600's than to meet someone who "lived" long ago? Enjoy a conversation with a delightful interpreter who will make you feel that you are truly speaking to an early colonist as she shares tales of triumphs, tragedies, and the mundane activities of daily existence.

Lodging: Clarion Hotel Historic District

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: The walk through Colonial Williamsburg is about a mile and a half over level, pebbled streets with occasional periods of standing and little opportunity to sit and rest. The independent time can be as limited or extensive as each participant prefers and can be arranged to avoid any historic buildings that can be entered or explored only by way of stairs.

Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.

Morning: Class: "Williamsburg Then and Now" Learn about Williamsburg as a quiet village in the years after the Revolution until its restoration through the vision of a local minister and the generosity of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in the mid-twentieth century. The presentation is highlighted with archival slides showing the town both before and after the Restoration. Field Trip: 'Colonial Williamsburg" Take a leisurely stroll down the mile-long Duke of Gloucester Street as your guide highlights some of the most interesting buildings and gardens in the Restored Area. This overview will help you decide where you would like to return on your own over the next two days.

Lunch: Enjoy the ambiance of a Colonial Tavern as you are entertained by strolling musicians and local personalities from the past. Taste southern comfort food in the charm of Shields Tavern, a reconstructed building with a history all its own. In the 18th century, public houses were gathering places for residents and travelers. Partake of a dining experience similar to one enjoyed by patriots like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry.

Afternoon: Independent Exploration: Now that you have been given a general overview, use your Colonial Williamsburg ticket to begin visiting homes, shops, and public buildings that you find of special interest in the historic district. Buildings of particular note that you may want to see include the Capitol, the Governor's Palace, and the Wythe House. Don't forget to wander through the many wonderful gardens that can be accessed through their clever cannonball closed gates. Also be sure to stop into some of the shops filled with colonial goods from hats to toys to pewter ware.

Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.

Evening: Free Evening: Information will be provided about concerts, exhibits, and tours including a free concert at Bruton Parish Church. You can select what you would like to enjoy on your own.

Lodging: Clarion Hotel Historic District

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Note: This is a quiet day with presentations at the hotel in the morning and an afternoon to schedule on your own as relaxed or active as your prefer.

Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.

Morning: Class: "Williamsburg and Virginia in the Revolution" Journey with an outstanding lecturer through the momentous events leading up to the Declaration of Independence. Consider the impact of nation building on the various peoples living in Virginia at the time---gentry, farmers, merchants, and slaves. Ponder with the eighteenth century Virginians the difficult choice between Patriot and Loyalist. While in a two-part lecture format, the presentation is very interactive with plenty of opportunity for questions and comments.

Lunch: A lighter mid-day fare will be served in our private dining area.

Afternoon: Free Afternoon: Your Colonial Williamsburg pass is still valid, so you can return to the Restored Area if you like for more exploration, possibly including a trip to the Visitor Center to view the acclaimed movie "Story of a Patriot". Other sites to consider are Jamestown Settlement to see the recreated 1607 fort, Indian village, and ships. Or head the other way on the Colonial Parkway to explore Yorktown, site of the British surrender that ended the Revolution. All of these sites can be reached by shuttle bus to which your pass gives you access.

Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.

Evening: Performance: "Rare Colonial Instruments" A gifted musician plays and explains a variety of early American instruments. Some of them, like the violin, may be familiar, but others may be quite a surprise!

Lodging: Clarion Hotel Historic District

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

College of William & Mary Wren Building/Organ Concert/African American Music and Stories

Note: The first part of the field trip is fairly sedentary with plenty of time to sit and listen to the interpretation of the Wren Building. The walk across campus is about a half mile and follows uneven brick walkways and gently rolling terrain that some may find challenging to negotiate.

Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.

Morning: "Religious Practices of Early Virginians", Explore the spiritual lives of the colonists by focusing on the state sanctioned and supported Anglican Church while also considering Protestant denominations that spread during times of religious revival and less mainstream believers such as Catholics, Jews, and Quakers. Class: "Separation of Church and State: The Beginnings", Follow the course of religious practices as America moves from colony to constitutional government. Consider how the separation of religion and the state even impacted the College of William and Mary in its allegiances and curriculum.

Lunch: A lighter mid-day fare will be served in our private dining area.

Afternoon: Class: "Slavery in the Eighteenth Century" A study of the institution from its beginnings in 1619 as a form of indentured servitude through its gradual codification into the laws of the Virginia colony until it became part of the very fabric of society in the eighteenth century. A full understanding of colonial life cannot be gained without a consideration of the role and status of the African American slaves who made up a substantial part of the population. Field Trip: Guided excursion to the Wren Building of the College of William and Mary and the College campus. First visit the Ancient Campus of the College and enjoy a narrated organ concert in the Wren Chapel. Then follow the historical development of the university as you walk through the Old Campus to the New Campus. Guides will discuss the architecture, famous alumni, and college lore.

Dinner: Dinner will again be at the hotel in our private dining area.

Evening: Performance: "An Evening of African-American Music and Storytelling", A talented singer/storyteller will entertain you with a sweeping journey through several centuries of African-American tradition as it evolves from its roots in Africa through its transformation during years of indentured servitude and slavery to its triumph in freedom in the mid-nineteenth century.

Lodging: Clarion Hotel Historic District

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in our private dining area.

Morning: Class: "Pirates, Witches and the Colonial Justice System" The New World was a scary place, both in reality and in the imagination of the early colonists. Explore the world of actual threats such as pirates and supernatural fears as embodied in those accused of witchcraft. Learn how these outsiders were dealt with by the courts of the colony. Activity: "Colonial Foodways" Bring the week to a delicious end as you are instructed in the methods of early American cooking and participate in the preparation of a delightful dessert. Final Farewells

Lunch: Pick up a box lunch with sandwich, fruit, chips, cookie, and beverage before heading home.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch