The City of Williamsburg is home to the second oldest college in the U.S., William & Mary, and the world's largest living history museum, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
William & Mary
William & Mary, founded in 1693, is a premier public research university that is widely recognized for its outstanding academic reputation, beautiful campus and vibrant community. As a "Public Ivy" — one of only eight in the nation — William & Mary offers a world-class education at an exceptional value. The university is a major economic contributor in the City, employing approximately 3,000 full- and part-time faculty and staff, enrolling 8,900 students and owning about 22.6% of the City's land area.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a 301-acre outdoor history museum with more than 600 original and reconstructed houses, outbuildings, shops, taverns, and public buildings. Known worldwide for its preservation and interpretation of the nation's founding, Colonial Williamsburg is the City's largest taxpayer and tourism driver. The Foundation owns 25.8% of the City's land area and employs about 1,500 people.
