Hike our “Historic Triangle” trail
At
Williamsburg
Colonial Virginia Council
Boy Scouts of America
CL003
Nov-98
Williamsburg Trail
Created By
Peter Wrike, Troop Father, Troop 116, Mathews, Va
The following pages outline a walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg. The tour has been
designed to avoid the expenses and delay which are sometimes encountered in the
“official” Colonial Williamsburg Tour. However, you will not be ale to enter many of the
historical buildings which you will pass. You may wish to return, at a later date, and
take advantage of the opportunities offered by the “official” tour.
We feel that this tour is better adopted to Boy Scout troops because:
 The tour requires no money;
 The tour is five (5) miles;
 The tour is logical:
It involves women, minorities, dramatic incidents, little known facts, and
other information.
Tour emphasizes values, education, civic service, craftsmanship, and
service.
 The tour is designed for young boys. It keeps them moving!
 The tour goes by all drinks, vending areas, water fountains, and restrooms.
 The tour group can park in “free” areas, such as Merchants Square, College of
William and Mary, and other areas.
Please have your boys answer the questions found at the end of the Tour Description.
You may want to review them now so that you may emphasize points in the tour which
will help them understand the answers.
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A WALKING TOUR OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
See map for site locations. Some sites on this tour may not be entered without a tour pass.
This walking tour does not require the entry of these buildings. Those buildings offering tours at
no charge are so noted.
1.
The College of William and Mary – The Wren Building
The second oldest college and oldest academic building in continuous use in America.
Tour (no charge).
2.
The John Blair House and Kitchen
The Blair family has a log association with the College of William and Mary (James Blair
was the founder and first president). The kitchen is occupied by an employee of
Colonial Williamsburg and the formal herb garden is one of the finest in Williamsburg.
3.
The Bowden-Armistead House
This is a fine example of one of the post-Colonial homes in Williamsburg. It is also one
of the few properties in the Historic Area not owned by the Colonial Williamsburg
Foundation.
4.
Bruton Parish Church
This was the second church on this location and one of the principle reasons
contributing to the relocation of Virginia’s Capitol from Jamestown. Tour (no charge)
5.
George Wythe House
This is the home of George Wythe, patriot, first professor of law at an
American college, and teacher of Thomas Jefferson and John Marshall. This was the
headquarters of General Washington before the siege of Yorktown. Wythe lived to an
old age, but was poisoned (with other members of his family) by his nephew in one of
the few early known murders in Williamsburg.
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6.
The McKenzie Apothecary
This is a shop typical of those furnishing medicines and other “health” aids in the
eighteenth century. Tour (no charge)
7.
The Governor’s Palace
This was the residence of seven royal governors and the first two governors of the
Commonwealth of Virginia, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson.
8.
The Brush-Everhard House
This is a very early house which was enlarged and in use through the entire Colonial
period. It is typical of the most common residences in Williamsburg during the
eighteenth century.
9.
Robertson’s Windmill
These were very common in Colonial times to grind corn – especially where running or
falling water was not available. Nantucket Island has over 15 windmills at one time. In
nearby Mathews County, there were tidemills.
10.
The Peyton Randoph House
This was home of the long-time Speaker of the House of Burgesses and the first
President of the Continental Congress.
11.
The Courthouse of 1770
This was the law Court for Williamsburg and James City County. The stocks next to the
building were used for small crimes. Sometimes persons convicted of being “gossips”
had their ears nailed to the post.
12.
Josiah Chowning’s Tavern
This is a typical tavern of the eighteenth century. It was also the favorite eating place of
John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who played a powerful role in providing for the restoration of
Colonial Williamsburg.
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13.
The Ludwig-Paradise House
This was the first building purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with Mr.
Rockefeller’s help. It has seen many uses, but was originally a fire house.
14.
The James Anderson House
This was the home of one of the leading craftsmen in Williamsburg and one who played
a vital role in providing tools and weapons for the Continental Troops.
15.
Brick Kiln and Carpenter’s Yard
These are typical areas where everyday needs were often locally provided to the
community’s citizens.
16.
The Raleigh Tavern
This was one of the best known Colonial Taverns where patriots, planters, and other
leaders were among its many guests.
17.
The King’s Arms Tavern
This is a restored tavern which serves meals to guests today. During the Revolution,
Baron von Stuben ran up a bill of almost $300 for lodging, meals, and beverages.
18.
The Palmer House
This is an original house and has in its walls “holes” where scaffolding used to construct
the house were left unfilled. This home is occupied by employees of the Colonial
Williamsburg Foundation.
19.
The Capitol
This was one of colonial America’s most important buildings. Principals of selfgovernment, individual liberty, and leadership were developed by Virginians.
20.
The Public Gaol (pronounced jail)
In this building, debtors, criminals, and pirates were imprisoned.
21.
The Coke-Garrett House
This was the residence for John Coke, a goldsmith and tavern keeper. It is now used as
the official residence for t president of Colonial Williamsburg.
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22.
Christiana Campbell’s Tavern
This was one of George Washington’s favorite eating places. Many of the taverns were
run by women who were usually widows. King’s Arms was run largely by Jane Vobe,
and this tavern by Christiana Campbell.
23.
Bassett Hall
This was the Williamsburg home of the Rockefellers and is still used by their
descendants to this day. It is furnished with many of their own personal choices and
maintained as Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. knew the home. Behind the house
is the old oak tree where, in 1928, Mr. Rockefeller and Dr. Goodwin discussed the
establishment of Colonial Williamsburg.
24.
The William Finnie House
This is a late Colonial building which heralded a new type of architecture. It is rumored,
but unproven, that Thomas Jefferson had a role in the design of this house.
25.
The Gunsmith
This was one of the many shops which provided the everyday tools and needs of the
town’s citizens.
26.
The Chiswell-Bucktrout House
This is now used as a boarding house for guests of the Williamsburg Inn. It has
accommodations for ten guest groups inside.
27.
The Providence Hall
This is a special guest cottage used by the Williamsburg Inn for heads of businesses
and state. President Reagan used this in 1983. The house was originally known as the
“White House” and dates from 1760 when it was built in New Kent County.
28.
The Williamsburg Inn
This is the finest Inn of Colonial Williamsburg and is rated as one of the top ten in
America. In addition to this and some of the other buildings, Colonial Williamsburg has
almost 1100 rooms for guests.
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29.
The Lewis House
This is an original residence typical of the more ordinary residents of Williamsburg. It is
now maintained as a guest building for Williamsburg Inn. In 1983, the French President
stayed here as a guest.
30.
The Lightfoot House
This is one of the finest town homes in Williamsburg and like other buildings is used as a
guest house for the Williamsburg Inn. Queen Elizabeth stayed here on a visit.
31.
The Custis Kitchen
These are the buildings which served as the storehouse for the Royal Troops and Militia.
The Magazine is original and, at its busiest time, probably had up to three thousand
muskets and accompanying pistols, shot, bayonets, powder, and other equipment for a
small army.
32.
Hartwell Perry’s Ordinary and Kitchen
This tavern and its kitchen are occupied by employees of Colonial Williamsburg. The
sign in front is a rebus or word puzzle. It depicts a deer, well, and several pears. “Hart”
was another name for a deer and an alcoholic beverage made from pears is called
“Perry”, so the sign stands for “Hart Well Perry”.
33. The Custis Kitchen
This area, represented only by the original kitchen, was once the home and fine
estate of Colonel John Custis. His son, Daniel Parke Custis, was the first
husband of Martha Ball. When Daniel died, Martha later married George
Washington. George Washington probably used the original house when he was
in Williamsburg. He adopted the son of Daniel Custis and Martha, and, at John
Parke (Jacky) Custis’ death, George was grief stricken.
34. The First Free Black Baptist Church
This is the site of the first free black Baptist Church in America.
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35. The Public Hospital
This is a reproduction of the first hospital in America to deal with mental
disorders. Behind this building and below ground is the DeWitt Wallace
Decorative Arts Gallery which houses thousands of objects form Colonial
Williamsburg’s Collection of eighteenth century ceramics, furniture, metals,
maps, prints, and textiles.
36. The Travis House
The Travis House was moved several blocks to Duke of Gloucester Street to
become a Colonial tavern in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Later, after other taverns
were restored, it was moved back to here – its original location.
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Camping Information
Colonial Virginia Council Scout Reservation
Camp Chickahominy
Williamsburg, Va
Write: Colonial Virginia Council, BSA
11725 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, Va 23606
Call:
(757)595-3356
Newport News City Park
Route 143 (located between Yorktown and Jamestown)
Write: City of Newport News
Department of Parks and Recreation
2400 Washington Avenue
Newport News, Va 23607
Call:
(757)887-5381
(Municipal)
Gosnolds Hope Park
Write: City of Hampton
Gosnolds Hope Park
Little Back River Road
Hampton, Va 23669
Call:
(757)727-6161
(Commercial)
Jamestown Beach Campsites
(near Jamestown Festival Park)
Write: P. O. Box CB
Williamsburg, Va 23187
Call:
(757)229-7609
(Commercial)
Williamsburg Campsite
U. S. Route 60
4 ½ miles west of Williamsburg
Write: Williamsburg Campsite
Rt. 60, R.F.D. #3 Box 274
Williamsburg, Va 23187
Call:
(757)564-3101
(Commercial)
Other Information
Nov-98
Colonial National Historical Park
Yorktown Battlefield Ranger Office
P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, Virginia 23690
Colonial National Historical Park
Jamestown Ranger Office
P.O. Box 210
Yorktown, Virginia 23690
Phone: (757)898-3400
Phone: (757) 229-1282
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Order Form
Please place the following order:
_____ Pick-up _____ Shipped
_____Williamsburg Trail Patches @ $2.25 ea
Postage and Shipping $1.50 for every 10
$_______
$_______
There is no Tax
Total
$_______
Ship To:
Name: __________________________________
Address:_________________________________
City: ____________________________________
State: _______ Zip ______
Awards may be picked up at the Council Office Monday through Friday, 8:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:
Colonial Virginia Council Scout Service Center
11725 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News, Virginia 23606
Phone: (757)595-3356
Prices of awards are subject to change without prior notice.
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QUESTIONS FOR COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TOUR
1. Explain the relationship between James Blair and The College of William and
Mary?
2. What were windmills used for in Colonial times?
3. “Gossips” were treated with what unusual punishment in old Williamsburg?
4. What was John D. Rockefeller’s role in the restoration of Williamsburg?
5. Why are there “holes” in the walls of the Palmer House?
Nov-98
6. The building called the Magazine, was used for what purpose?
7. What is special about the sign for Hartwell Perry’s Ordinary?
8. Where did George Washington usually stay when he was in Colonial
Williamsburg?
9. Name one recent famous person who has stayed in guest homes in Colonial
Williamsburg?
10. Name one of the two non-royal governors to reside in the Governor’s Palace?
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