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Virginia

From Colony to Revolution: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown

Program No. 2011RJ

Immerse yourself in historic Virginia with scholars, instructors and historians as you explore Colonial Era history from the founding of Jamestown to the end of the Revolutionary War.

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7 days

6 nights

15 meals

6B 5L 4D

Introduction to Williamsburg, Welcome Dinner, Orientation

Williamsburg

Historic Jamestowne, Williamsburg's Indigenous Peoples

Williamsburg

Slavery, Angela's story, Jamestown Settlement

Williamsburg

Colonial Williamsburg Then & Now, Afro-Am. Music

Williamsburg

Colonial Performances, Tavern lunch, Free time

Williamsburg

Yorktown & Revolutionary War, Yorktown Battlefield & Museums

Williamsburg

Women's Roles, Colonial Cake Decorations

Williamsburg

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At a Glance

Embark on a journey through Virginia’s “Historic Triangle” with no less than a dozen historians and other experts. Delve into Virginia society, from the establishment of the first successful British outpost at Jamestown in 1607 through the end of British rule only a few miles away at Yorktown in 1781. Traveling between these sites, pause to visit the Colonial capital in Williamsburg. Learn about the development of plantation society, slavery and the role of religion and events leading to the Siege of Yorktown. You'll also enjoy a unique tavern dining experience.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles daily on brick, cobblestone and uneven ground.

Best of all, you’ll…

Relish an in-depth look with the head curator at the incredible Jamestown Rediscovery project, where archaeology is uncovering the original fort.
Experience the historical Duke of Gloucester Street, heart of Colonial Williamsburg, with a knowledgeable interpreter.
Follow your instructor across the earthworks to the field where American independence was guaranteed by the surrender of Lord Cornwallis.

General Notes

For a shorter experience with more free time in this area, check out "Historic Triangle Sampler: Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown" (#22991).

Featured Expert

All trip experts

Bly Straube

As a member of the team of archaeologists who found the remains of James Fort, the site of America's 1607 birthplace, Bly Straube is renowned for her knowledge of our country's history. Since 1973, she has worked in the Williamsburg area as a historical archaeologist, first with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources and then as co-founder of the James River Institute for Archaeology. Bly has recorded many programs for the History Channel, the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, and the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Stephen Christoff View biography

Stephen Christoff has been a musical fixture at Colonial Williamsburg for more than 15 years. Since 2006, he has performed his one-man show called "Seller of Songs" at the Hennage Theater in Colonial Williamsburg to sell-out audiences and rave reviews. In 2007, Stephen was a member of a collaborative performance team that played over 100 performances of "American Musicworks," a signature show designed for the Dewitt Wallace Galleries folk art exhibition. He also performed for the Jamestown Godspeed Sail and Landing Party Festival.

Tom Marshall View biography

Tom Marshall has been an instructor in the music department at the College of William and Mary and a harpsichordist for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for more than 20 years. Not only is he featured playing original instruments in many of Williamsburg’s historical recordings but he has made seven study explorations in Europe to examine and play many surviving keyboard instruments from the 15th to the 19th centuries.

Bly Straube View biography

Anne Conkling View biography

A native of Pennsylvania with family roots deep in that state, Anne Conkling attended American University before finally settling in Williamsburg, Va. She has a passion for anything historical, particularly from the period 1500-1875. Her interests include colonial Virginia, the role of the Anglican Church in colonization, royal charters, political life cycles, and the roles of women of all races. Anne has written for various newspapers and publications, is a historical interpreter at Bruton Parish Church, and a teacher of historical interpreters at Jamestown Island.

Eileen Wells View biography

Eileen Wells was raised in New York and New Jersey and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in French from Bucknell University. Upon arriving in Newport News, VA, she went to work using her degree to schedule the construction of navy frigates at Newport News Shipbuilding. Moving to Williamsburg, she followed a winding path before arriving at her dream job — being a Road Scholar group leader for over a decade. Eileen now lives in Charlottesville to be closer to her four grandchildren.

Felicity Meza-Luna View biography

Felicity Meza-Luna currently serves as an American Indian interpreter for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Previously, she held the same position at Historic Jamestowne, site of the original first permanent English settlement in the New World and a point of First Contact. Felicity participates as a Jingle Dress Dancer at powwows around the region and is the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Inter-tribal Women's Circle. She is a member of the Lakota Tribe, Rosebud Reservation, and has family at the Pine Ridge Reservation.

Lee Ann Rose View biography

Lee Ann Rose has found a way to use her theatre degree and her love of history into a career that has spanned 20 years at Colonial Williamsburg and now has allowed her to step out creating her own company called, Shades of Our Past. At her time at Colonial Williamsburg, she has played Martha Washington and coached other character interpreters and Nation Builders. When she is not performing, she is working on a book about Martha Washington's children.

Karen Warnecke View biography

Karen Warnecke attended the University of Buffalo. After college, she made her way to San Diego, California, where she met her husband. His 30-year naval flight career led them to raise four sons all over the country. In Charlottesville, Karen continued her career with the University Of Virginia School Of Medicine as a course coordinator for first-year medical students. She retired several years ago to allow more opportunities to travel, visit family and friends, work in her garden, read, and enjoy the local area.

Christi Pancoast View biography

Christi Pancoast is originally from Ohio and has been a teacher in Richmond, Virginia for over two decades. She is a self-proclaimed travel junkie, lifelong learner, and people enthusiast. In her free time, she enjoys Zumba, yoga, and being with her friends.

Mary Alie View biography

Mary had a 34-year career in education as a classroom teacher, assistant principal and principal. Since retiring in 2001, Mary has worked as a schools and groups Interpreter for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. She has also served as an instructor for the Colonial Williamsburg’s Teacher Institute. Mary also serves as a costumed interpreter in Colonial Williamsburg’s original and restored homes and public buildings, such as the Governor’s Palace and the Colonial Capitol.

Debbie Downs View biography

Debbie Downs has worked on Road Scholar programs since 2005. She has worked with Colonial Williamsburg as school group interpreter, educational specialist, and an African-American history interpreter. She currently works as an instructor for Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute and Evening Programs. She also serves as a program manager for the Shadows of the Past, telling ghost stories. Debbie has a master's degree in education from Old Dominion University and is employed by Newport News Public Schools as a pre-kindergarten teacher.

Carson Hudson View biography

Carson Hudson has been passionate about history since he was a young boy growing up in Virginia, surrounded by Civil War battlefields. He is a practicing military and social historian, author, Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, and circus fire-eater. He lectures regularly at museums and colleges on a wide variety of subjects, but his particular interests are the Civil War and colonial witchcraft. He performs regularly as part of the old-time music duo Hudson & Clark and with the Cigar Box String Band.

Valarie Holmes View biography

Valarie Holmes, as part of the Colonial Williamsburg's Teachers Institute, has traveled the United States demonstrating how to accurately teach the history of enslavement. She has written and performed several productions which focus on the contributions of enslaved and free African American women in America. She also wrote and performed a production highlighting Clara Byrd Baker and the USO at Bruton Heights. Other notable accomplishments include her participation in the yearlong "1619 Commemoration" held at Historic Jamestown.

Michael Pfeifer View biography

Michael Pfeifer is a historian at Colonial Williamsburg. Originally from Illinois, Pfeifer first caught the “history bug” on a family vacation to Colonial Williamsburg in 1974. After studying education and U.S. history, his career in museums and historic interpretation began at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. He has been an English Civil War and American Civil War reenactor for more than 40 years. Pfeifer and his wife, Heather, portray John and Abigail Adams in addition to leading historical explorations for Shades of Our Past.

Kelly Brennan View biography

Kelly M. Brennan, a New Jersey native, received her Ph.D. in American history from the College of William and Mary in 2014. She has worked for the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation in a variety of positions for almost 20 years; she is currently a historian in Colonial Williamsburg’s Research Department. Beyond her expertise in Virginia enslavement law, her concentrations include deathways, magic and belief, mental illness, crime and punishment, and the history of ghosts. Kelly lives in Williamsburg with her partner and two pets.

From Colony to Revolution: Jamestown, Williamsburg, Yorktown

Enroll with Confidence

Protecting the Environment

At a Glance

Best of all, you’ll…

General Notes

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