Historic Triangle Sampler: Williamsburg, Jamestown & Yorktown

Hotel Check-in: Available from 4:00 p.m. Program Registration: After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation. The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Travel will be by bus unless noted otherwise. Periods in the daily schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful, rewarding, and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

At the hotel.

We will enjoy the talents of an accomplished musician as he introduces a variety of fascinating instruments typical of the Revolutionary era. Some will be familiar, but others may be quite a surprise. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.

At the hotel.

This morning, we will head out for a stroll down historic Duke of Gloucester Street, heart of Colonial Williamsburg, known locally as DoG Street. This expert-led field trip will highlight some of the most interesting features of the Restored Area, including the reconstructed Capitol, Governor's Palace, homes, gardens, and tradesmen's shops.

At the hotel.

After lunch we’ll have an expert presentation highlighted by archival slides on Williamsburg before and after what is lovingly called the Restoration. The presenter worked for many years for Colonial Williamsburg and is intimately acquainted with the amazing transformation that took place in the mid-20th century. We will hear about the physical changes that took place as well as the attitudes and reactions of locals. We’ll learn more about the reinvention of Virginia’s old colonial capital from the Great Depression through World War II, the involvement and generosity of John D. Rockefeller, Jr., and the town’s continuing evolution. Next, we’ll head back out to The College of William and Mary (founded in 1693)which is adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. We will start with a visit to the Wren Chapel for a concert of period music on its 18th century pipe organ, one of the four oldest in the U.S., with an opportunity to learn about the instrument. Our last stop is the College’s Wren Building, oldest continuously used academic building in the country, built before the town existed, and the first building to be restored during the Restoration. We’ll sit on the hard benches as early students did and learn about a university education in the 18th century.

At a restaurant in downtown Williamsburg.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

Boarding our bus, we will ride to the Historic Jamestowne Visitor Center. We will begin with an exclusive behind the scenes interaction with a member of the Rediscovery staff in the Project Lab. The artifacts and features uncovered by the Project have vastly increased our knowledge of the Jamestown colony, both in its physical appearance and the culture of its inhabitants. We’ll continue with a visit to the architecturally unique Archaearium, with its "see-through" floor that lets you view the foundation of the 17th century statehouse. We will have some time to self explore 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. We’ll then pass through the church tower — all that remains of the 17th century building — and sit in the cool interior of the reconstructed church. As we gaze out over the James River, imagine the three small ships bobbing at anchor on the broad waterway. In our self-directed exploration, we can see many of the artifacts uncovered at the dig that are exhibited and interpreted. This independent time can also be used to return to the Visitor Center to view a film and additional exhibits.

Enjoy a box lunch with your group onsite at Historic Jamestowne.

As we make our way to the 18th century along the scenic Colonial Parkway, we will ride to the Yorktown Battlefield where we begin at the Visitor Center with an introductory film, “The Siege of Yorktown” and exhibits that focus on various aspects of the campaign that ended the Revolutionary War. Next, we return to our bus and head to the battlefield where climactic events of 1781 unfolded. We will be able to get out and walk around for a closer look at siege lines to visualize the opposing forces facing off. At Surrender Field, imagine the defeated British turning over their arms to the victorious American and French forces as their military band (allegedly) played “The World Turned Upside Down” — surely an understatement as far as Lord Cornwallis was concerned!

At the hotel

After dinner, our time at Jamestowne from this morning will come to life as engage in a conversation with Angela, the first named African woman in Jamestown, personified by a talented and knowledgeable costumed interpreter. You will quickly begin to feel that you are truly in the presence of one of the first enslaved Africans in Jamestown as she reflects on her enslavement and life in early Virginia.

Hotel buffet.

What better way to experience a different time than to meet someone who lived then? We will engage in a conversation with a woman of the 17th Century, personified by a talented and knowledgeable costumed interpreter. We will quickly begin to feel that we are truly in the presence of an early American colonist as she shares tales of triumphs, tragedies, and the mundane activities of daily life. Be prepared to share your own "latest news" as you interact with her. We’ll then take a walk over to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg for an expert-led exploration of both. We will see antiques and decorative art that range from the 17th to the 19th century. The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum is home to the world's largest collection of southern furniture and one of the largest collections of British ceramics outside England. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, located in the same building, has one of the largest collections of American folk art in the country.

This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Free Time. Take this opportunity for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Now is a great time to use your Williamsburg pass to peek into some of the houses you might have missed on our walk before, enjoy performances or public tours of homes, such as the Peyton Randolph house and learn about the enslaved families that lived there.

On your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

At leisure.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll begin our day with a field trip via motorcoach to Berkeley, the “most historic” of the great river plantations. This is the ancestral home of the Harrisons, who boast a signer of the Declaration of Independence and two presidents among their descendants. We’ll explore this 1726 Georgian mansion with a knowledgeable docent, then have some time to stroll along the extensive grounds on our own. We will then ride to a local winery.

At the winery with breathtaking views overlooking the James River, we’ll have a plated and served meal with coffee, tea, water included; other beverages available for purchase.

After lunch, we will head over to Shirley, first of the James River plantations, dating to 1613. Here we’ll see original furnishings and portraits from the 18th century owners whose descendants, remarkably, still occupy the home. Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the afternoon is free to explore more on your own, take a quick nap, or prepare for your departure in the morning.

We will walk to a Colonial Williamsburg tavern and enjoy a 3-course farewell dinner with soup or salad, entrée, dessert, and beverages including wine, fountain drinks, coffee, tea, water. We’ll dine in 18th century style as costumed musicians and interpreters stroll through our private dining area. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.

Returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is free. Prepare for check-out and departure in the morning.

Hotel buffet.

We’ll enjoy the talents of an accomplished musician who was involved in the revival of the rare and beautiful glass armonica, invented by Benjamin Franklin in 1761. Today, he is one of eight glass armonica players in the world. This concludes our program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures. Best wishes for all your journeys!