Explore 18th-century Colonial Williamsburg through a digital journey
To commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States, a new digital platform has been launched to highlight the history and daily life of 18th-century Virginia. This platform covers revolutionary American history, historical trades, and key sites and figures from the colonial capital.
Google Arts & Culture, in collaboration with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, has introduced a digital collection celebrating America's 250th birthday. The collection allows users to delve into 18th-century history through interactive stories, virtual tours, and 3D models of historic sites and artifacts. Access this experience by visiting the Google Arts & Culture website or downloading the free app.
The collaboration between Google and Colonial Williamsburg aims to bring American history to life online for this milestone anniversary. The digital collection enables users to explore 18th-century streets, artifacts, and workshops from the comfort of their homes. Additionally, an AI tool provides an opportunity to chat with historical experts about the American Revolution. This engaging platform illustrates how past events have shaped the modern world.
This significant year marks the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding. In celebration, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and Google Arts & Culture have collaborated on a project that unveils early American history, making it accessible worldwide. By integrating Google's technology with Colonial Williamsburg's esteemed historical resources, this project transforms history into a dynamic, engaging story.
What to Explore in the New Interactive Collection
The collection offers in-depth insights into individuals, objects, and events that influenced 18th-century America.
- Discover key moments, locations, and figures of colonial Williamsburg, including Patrick Henry, a notable Revolutionary leader.
- Explore 10 narratives about the trades that fueled Williamsburg’s colonial economy, such as printing.
- View primary documents that reveal stories from the colonial capital, like a 1771 travel permit for two enslaved individuals traveling to Williamsburg.
- Learn about unique stories from the living history museum, such as the preservation of the rare Leicester Longwool Sheep by Colonial Williamsburg.
- Examine the historic Bodleian Plate, circa 1740, a rare depiction of Williamsburg’s public buildings that guided the city's modern preservation.
- Uncover a collection of 18th-century chamber pots from Colonial Williamsburg's museum, offering insights into everyday life in early America.
Newly captured Street View images allow users to take a virtual walk through Williamsburg's streets. Virtual guided tours enable exploration of historic sites such as the Raleigh Tavern, the Williamsburg Bray School, and the local courthouse. For a closer view, eight detailed 3D models of historic sites offer a comprehensive look at the architecture.
Developed in collaboration with Colonial Williamsburg historians, this NotebookLM includes over 150 sources, featuring 18th-century documents, articles, and research from Colonial Williamsburg's experts. These sources cover the debates and discussions leading to the United States' founding and the shaping of its foundational ideas in Virginia. The AI-powered research tool encourages interaction with archives and experts, facilitating learning about the revolution's key concepts, contributors, and early American governmental thoughts.
After exploring the digital collection, it becomes evident that America has always been a land of grand ideas with global influence.
This digital, interactive experience uncovers and appreciates the historical events leading to today’s era of innovation. Ready to take a step back in time? Celebrate America's 250th birthday by visiting The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s page on Google Arts & Culture, and download the Google Arts & Culture app on iOS or Android to begin your virtual journey into early American history.
