English settlers founded Williamsburg in 1632 as Middle Plantation, a fortified settlement on high ground between the James and York rivers, and farther inland than their headquarters at Jamestown. The city functioned as the capital of the Colony and Commonwealth of Virginia from 1699 to 1780 and became the center of political events in Virginia leading to the American Revolution. The College of William & Mary, established in 1693, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and the only one of the nine colonial colleges in the South. Its alumni include three U.S. presidents as well as many other important figures in the nation's early history.
english settlers founded williamsburg in 1632 as middle plantation a fortified settlement on high ground between the james and york rivers and farther inland than their headquarters at jamestown the city functioned as the capital of the colony and commonwealth of virginia from 1699 to 1780 and became the center of political events in virginia leading to the american revolution the college of william & mary established in 1693 is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the united states and the only one of the nine colonial colleges in the south its alumni include three us presidents as well as many other important figures in the nation's early history