The city changed little during the 1800's and early 1900's. In 1926, philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr., became interested in restoring and preserving the colonial appearance of the city. The idea came from W. A. R. Goodwin, minister of Williamsburg's Bruton Parish Church. Rockefeller provided the money that set up The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. Eleven major historic buildings and many colonial craft shops are open to the public daily.
Guides escort visitors through the buildings.
Craftworkers demonstrate such colonial skills as barrelmaking, cabinetmaking, and blacksmithing, and actors act out scenes and characters from the period. The guides, craftworkers, and actors are all in colonial costume. The furnishings of the homes, public buildings, and shops in Williamsburg make up one of the finest collections of American and English antiques in the United States. The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Gallery displays furniture, ceramics, silver, paintings, prints, textiles, and costumes. The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Center has one of the most important folk art collections in the United States.