Williamsburg Historic town in e Virginia, 50mi (80km) se of Richmond; seat of James co. Settled 1633, it was made state capital 1699–1780, when seat of government moved to Richmond. Williamsburg is visited annually by thousands of tourists and was made part of Colonial National Historic Park (est. 1936). Included in its landmarks are College of William and Mary (1693), Capitol, Public Gaol (1704), Magazine and Guardhouse (1715), Raleigh Tavern, Governor's Palace (1720), Bruton Parish Church (1715), Brush-Everard House (1717), Courthouse (1770). Inc. 1722. Pop. (1980) 9,870.

Williamsburg a city in SE Virginia, between the James and York Rivers. First settled as Middle Plantation in 1633, it was the state capital of Virginia from 1699, when it was renamed in honour of William III, until 1799, when Richmond became the capital. A large part of the town has been restored and reconstructed so that it appears as it was during the colonial era.