Colonial Williamsburg First 100 Years Exhibit – Opens February 28 in the Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg First 100 Years Exhibit
Opening February 28, 2026 | This exhibition will be on view in the Henry H. Weldon Gallery.
Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg
🎉 Step Into 100 Years of History—With a Twist! 🎉
Opening February 28, 2026, a brand-new exhibition, Colonial Williamsburg: The First 100 Years, invites families to explore how one bold idea grew into the world’s largest living history museum. The exhibition will be on view in the Henry H. Weldon Gallery and is made possible through the generous support of Don and Elaine Bogus.
As the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, this engaging exhibition tells the behind-the-scenes story of how it all began. It starts in 1924, when the Rev. Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin of Bruton Parish Church shared a visionary dream with philanthropists John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller—to restore Williamsburg’s 18th-century past.
What began with preserving just one historic building quickly grew into an ambitious restoration of an entire colonial capital. From Duke of Gloucester Street to iconic landmarks like the Raleigh Tavern, Governor’s Palace, and the Capitol, teams of architects, archaeologists, historians, and craftspeople worked together to bring history back to life. By the 1940s, visitors could stroll through colonial streets, watch tradespeople at work, and explore beautifully recreated gardens.
The exhibition follows this incredible journey decade by decade, highlighting the people, discoveries, and dedication that shaped Colonial Williamsburg into what families experience today. One message rings true now just as it did a century ago: “That the Future May Learn from the Past.”
🏛️ A must-see for history lovers, curious kids, and anyone who calls Williamsburg home! More Info
Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg
301 S Nassau St, Williamsburg, VA 23185
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