Hiking Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Relax Williamsburg

Basset Trace Nature Trail

Basset Trace Nature Trail

April 5, 2022

Park in Williamsburg.

Redoubt Park

Redoubt Park

April 5, 2022

Redoubt Park, located on Quarterpath Road, was dedicated on May…

Greensprings

Greensprings Interpretive Trail

April 5, 2022

Wander along this 3.5-mile nature trail that loops through a…

Virginia Capital Trail Jamestown Trailhead

Virginia Capital Trail Jamestown Trailhead

April 5, 2022

The Virginia Capital Trail Foundation exists to protect, promote,…

New Quarter Park

New Quarter Park

April 5, 2022

Located close to historic Williamsburg, this 545-acre park offers…

College Landing Park

College Landing Park

April 5, 2022

Right down the road from the College of William & Mary, this…

Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement

April 5, 2022

Near the site of the original colony, discover the story of America’s…

Riverwalk

Riverwalk

April 5, 2022

Hiking area in Yorktown.

THE HISTORY OF WILLIAMSBURG

Prior to European settlement, the area around modern-day Williamsburg was settled by the indigenous American tribes of the Powhatan Confederacy. Williamsburg was first settled in 1638 and was originally referred to as Middle Plantation due to its location on the high ground in the middle of the Virginia Peninsula. In 1699, Middle Plantation was renamed Williamsburg in honor of King William III of England.

By the turn of the 20th century, Williamsburg was a quiet country village, and many colonial buildings, while still standing, were in disrepair. The Reverend Dr. D.A.R. Goodwin made it his goal to restore Williamsburg to its colonial spendor, seeking financial help from none other than John D. Rockefeller Jr., the heir to Standard Oil. It was due to the Rockefeller contributions that Williamsburg became what it is today: A living museum, with history preserved and on exhibit every day.