Colonial Williamsburg Launches “Revolutionary City” Experience

Colonial Williamsburg’s new, interactive experience, The Revolutionary City – From Subjects to Citizens, is connecting guests to the climate of the period leading up to and during the American Revolution. The innovative program has contributed importantly to increased visitation to the historic site thus far in 2006. “By involving guests in this significant time period in history, we’re hoping to reinvigorate their interest in our nation’s past, present and future,” said Rex Ellis, vice president of the Historic Area, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. “Citizen participation was as important to the Colonial Americans’ fight for freedom as it is for our democratic society today.” Each day consists of a two hour interactive program, focused on select events that portray Colonial Americans’ crucial transition from subjects to citizens. Day one features the collapse of royal government, depicting pivotal events during 1774 to 1776. Day two spans July 1776 – September 1781, beginning with the Declaration of Independence and including the British Occupation of the city. “Many of the challenges Colonial Americans faced are similar to the challenges we face today -- families are torn by war, parents and children argue about what’s right and wrong and political debates are a daily occurrence,” said Ellis. “By connecting visitors to the Colonial Americans’ personal struggles for freedom, we hope guests will reflect on the liberties we’ve been granted and develop newfound respect for the benefits of citizenship, as well as the responsibility to participate in the democratic process.”