“That the future may learn from the past.”
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation maintains the world’s largest living history museum, where visitors can engage in immersive, authentic 18th-century experiences. The Foundation also conducts archaeological research, and offers a variety of digital and in-person programming, a Teacher Institute, and two world-class art museums. Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area houses restored and historically preserved buildings, 88 of which are original.
Administrative Offices
Administrative offices for Colonial Williamsburg are housed in the Bruton Heights School located at 301 First Street in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Colonial Williamsburg Leadership
Senior Leadership Team
The Senior Leadership Team, led by President Cliff Fleet, oversees operations of the Historic Area, Art Museums, educational and research initiatives, fundraising, and hospitality.
Board of Trustees
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees who provide perspective and expertise from a broad range of fields, including education, business, finance, government, and law.
Policies
Financials
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit 501(c)3 educational institution. As we do not receive state or federal funding, Colonial Williamsburg relies on tax-deductible gifts and bequests from our donors.
Donations enable the research, documentation, and interpretive training fundamental to the presentation of programs in Historic Area buildings, trade shops, and museums. Donations support the acquisition and conservation of art, preservation and maintenance of buildings, production of publications and audiovisual programs, and all educational activities. Thousands of philanthropic corporations, foundations, and individuals are helping to build a base of financial support for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
The Colonial Williamsburg Board of Trustees, senior leadership and staff have developed a strategic plan to guide us in our daily pursuit of our educational mission, That the Future may learn from the Past. This plan focuses our work and allocation of resources and aligns the efforts and support of all the Foundation’s stakeholders on the things that will best help us achieve our aspirations.
The plan centers around five priorities that are central to advancing the Foundation’s core mission: Education, Museums, Finance, Development, and Workplace Excellence. Comprehensive goals and specific tasks have been designated in each of these areas. We will continue to evaluate and challenge our work, test assumptions, and push the limits of our creativity to ensure we are embracing the best opportunities before us.
In the years leading up to 2026, the nation’s attention will increasingly turn to Williamsburg, where so many formative events of America’s birth took place. Not only is 2026 the 250th anniversary of American independence, it is also the year in which Colonial Williamsburg will be commemorating its centennial. This is our opportunity to make the greatest impact with our efforts to share a more complete, more relevant story of America — and we are committed to seizing that opportunity.
Download Past Annual Reports
Download the 2020 Annual Report
Download the 2019 Annual Report
Download the 2018 Annual Report
Download the 2020 Form 990
Download the 2019 Form 990
Download the 2018 Form 990
Annual Reports
As we do not receive state or federal funding, Colonial Williamsburg relies on tax-deductible gifts and bequests from our donors. Donations enable the research, documentation, and interpretive training fundamental to the presentation of programs in Historic Area buildings, trade shops, and museums.
Strategic Plan
The Colonial Williamsburg Board of Trustees, senior leadership and staff have developed a strategic plan to guide us in our daily pursuit of our educational mission, That the Future may learn from the Past. This plan focuses our work and allocation of resources and aligns the efforts and support of all the Foundation’s stakeholders on the things that will best help us achieve our aspirations.
Stay With Us
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts
Colonial Williamsburg Resorts offers a range of accommodations including the luxurious AAA Five-Diamond Williamsburg Inn, conceived by John D. Rockefeller Jr., and opened in 1937; the modern Williamsburg Lodge, with the regions premier conference center, prime location for meetings, banquets, and weddings; Historic Lodging in Colonial Houses; the Griffin Hotel; and the family-friendly Woodlands Hotel and Suites. Guests who stay at an official Colonial Williamsburg hotel receive discounts on admission tickets, use of the Colonial Williamsburg Shuttle Bus, and preferred reservations for resort amenities.
Resort amenities include the Golden Horseshoe Golf Club, designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones, Sr., the Spa and state-of-the-art fitness center, swimming pool, and tennis courts.
Restaurants located throughout the Historic Area and Resort include Historic Dining Taverns that feature the atmosphere, recipes and entertainment reminiscent of the Revolution. Additional dining experiences are available at the hotels and in Merchant Square.
Get Involved
Employment
Colonial Williamsburg relies on talented individuals to provide and support exceptional guest experiences and fulfill our mission, that the future may learn from the past, across our Historic Area, world-class Resorts, fine dining establishments, and Art Museums.
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Volunteers
Volunteers help Colonial Williamsburg fulfill our mission by participating in areas throughout the Foundation, including the Historic Area, offices, gardens, or museums. Positions vary and placement is considered after review of application by the Volunteer Program Manager.
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Community Outreach
Colonial Williamsburg actively supports engagement with the Historic Triangle community of Virginia, which includes the City of Williamsburg, James City County and York County. In addition to free annual events during major holidays such as Memorial Day, Juneteenth, July 4th, and Veterans Day, the Foundation holds a community Christmas Tree Lighting on the third Thursday of December. A summer concert series and numerous unique events sponsored by local organizations are held on the Art Museums Lawn each year. A special annual pass, offering unlimited admission to the Historic Area and Art Museums and Historic Area and discounts on shopping, dining, evening programs, and tickets for friends and family, is available for residents.
CW for Locals
Sure, you’ve visited Colonial Williamsburg on school field trips, for coffee in Merchants Square, or to walk the dog on DoG Street, but there’s so much more to experience….right in your own backyard!
Good Neighbor Pass
Our Good Neighbor Pass gets you unlimited admission to our Historic Area and two world-class art museums as well as discounts on dining, shopping, and more.