Williamsburg Things to Do

the pillory was one form of punishment for law breakers in colonial williamsburg. also with the pillory was the ducking chair, the whipping post, and the gallows that were forms of punishment depending on the severity of the crime. in colonial america some common crimes were not attending church, wife beating, drunkeness, gossiping, and petty theft. serious crimes were murder and deviant sexual behavior. a criminal sentenced to the pillory commonly had their ears nailed to the wooden frame. on lookers would throw garbage and feces on the accused for entertainment.

shield's tavern was established by john shields in the 1740's and is the oldest surviving tavern in colonial williamsburg. today shield's tavern is a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner in a colonial setting. for reservations see the phone number below.

merchants square is located between the colonial williamsburg historic area and the college of william and mary. this colonial themed shopping and entertainment venue offers over 40 shops, bars, and restaurants. merchants square's outdoor patio bars are a nice place to relax after a day of touring colonial williamsburg.

this beautiful colonial home was originally built in 1716. judge st. george tucker moved the house to it's present location on nicholson street in 1788. the house was expanded several times to accommodate tucker's nine children and five step children. judge st. george tucker is best known for editing blackstone's "commentaries on the laws of england" in 1808. the tucker house is not open to the public.

josiah chownings tavern was established in 1766. this tavern catered to a working class cleintelle. today josiah chowings tavern is a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner in a colonial setting. for reservations see the phone number below.

the king's arms tavern was established by jane vobe in 1772. the king's arms tavern catered to a upper end cleintelle. today the king's arms tavern is a restaurant that serves lunch and dinner in a colonial setting. for reservations see the phone number below.

the market square tavern was established by thomas craig in 1767. prior to 1767 the building was owned by robert lyon, a barber and wig-maker. thomas jefferson rented a room at the market square tavern when he was studying law in wiliamsburg. today the market square tavern is a bed and breakfast inn.

the raleigh tavern was built in 1717 and is named after sir walter raleigh. in 1769 colonial governor botetourt dissolved the house of burgesses and they reconvened at the raleigh taven. in 1776 a group of students from the college of william and mary founded the phi beta kappa academic fraternity here. for most of the tavern's existance the front steps of the tavern were used for slave auctions. the raleigh tavern burned in 1859 and was reconstructed in 1932. today you can dine in this historic location.