This beautifully laid out museum hosts an extensive range of antiques and artifacts from colonial USA and the United Kingdom. Permanent exhibits include American Furniture: From Virginia to Vermont, which showcases local furniture dating from the late seventeenth century. There are also some beautiful examples of silverware and ceramics; one notable feature is a sterling silver chandelier, made for King William III.
Located inside the College of William & Mary, the Muscarelle Museum of Art was created after locals realized what a wealth of art the university had accumulated over the years. The exhibitions held here are dramatic and thought-provoking to say the least, while the permanent exhibition is a class apart from the others you may have seen. Abstract Impressionist lovers will delight in this art haven that has preserved its treasures magnificently. Check website for details.
Once the capital of colonial Virginia, Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum, lending stirring insights into its heyday during the 1700s. The centerpiece of Williamsburg's historic district, this territory features winding thoroughfare dotted with charming edifices in evocative Colonial Revival architectural styles. For the better part of the 18th century, the city was the center of the most civilized life in the colony of Virginia. Having undergone a massive restoration, Colonial Williamsburg is today a heartwarming canvas of a culture which eventually made way for the democratic tenor of the country. Today, this antiquated region is permeated with the exuberance and cultural nitty-gritty that comes with glassblowers, blacksmiths, and artisans producing goods by authentic, tried-and-true colonial methods just as they did back then. The period homes, stores, and other buildings are full of interesting things to do and see. There are even costume rentals and historic accommodations which delve deeper into American history.
A recreation of one of the earliest European settlements in the Americas, the Jamestown Settlement consists of replicas of boats, buildings, and villages. This museum features galleries and videos about life as it was then and it manages to make history engaging for both adults and kids. Climb aboard the three boats which are replicas of those used to sail from England. Explore the Powhatan village to learn about the Native Americans of the area, and see the colonists' fort. Best of all, actors replicate the every day lives of the colonists wearing period costumes, doing chores, and acting just like the colonists of the day. A truly fun way to learn about history!
The Watermen's Museum pays tribute to people who make their living from the Chesapeake Bay and the surrounding rivers. A very specific term, "watermen" is only allowed to be used in reference to the Thames River and the Chesapeake Bay. Best known in the past for their aiding of the French and the Americans during the Revolutionary War, watermen are often credited as a key part of the decisive victory that helped to win independence for the United States.