Military Encampment Weekends
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Reenactor Weekends
Colonial Williamsburg Military Encampment weekends seek to recreate important, impactful moments from the American Revolution with the help of reenactors from around the country.
Upcoming Weekends
- May 2-3, 2026
The Most Fatal Widow-makers; Virginia riflemen arrive in Williamsburg. - October 3-4, 2026
To Heed Washington’s Call: Virginians Prepare to March North.
Volunteer Participation
Apply to Participate
Reenactors and living history volunteers are greatly encouraged to join us for Reenactor Weekends. Apply today to participate in the May 2-3 event.
Join Us Onsite
May 2-3, 2026: The Most Fatal Widow-makers; Virginia riflemen arrive in Williamsburg.
Colonial Williamsburg will capture a pivotal moment in the history of Virginia’s and America’s revolution; the 250th anniversary of the riflemen of the 7th Virginia Regiment arriving in Williamsburg. These troops, largely raised beyond the Blue Ridge Mountains, would go on to fight in some of the most important battles of the Revolution, including Gwynn's Island, Brandywine, Saratoga, Germantown, and Monmouth. Wielding "cursed, twisted guns", these Virginians, culturally different from the citizens of Williamsburg, but united in a common cause, converged on the city, in hopes of forming a fighting force capable of standing in opposition to tyranny, and in defiance of kings.
Special Programming
Under Arms: The Business of Riflemen
The Weight of Liberty
Drumming Up a Soldier's Dinner
Beat the Retreat
Rifle Demonstration: The "cursed, twisted guns"
In Defence of the just rights of America
Plan your Visit
Bringing History to Life
Historic Trades
The Historic Trades and Skills community at Colonial Williamsburg uses 18th-century tools and techniques to apprentice in and eventually master more than 20 historic trades and skills.
Fifes & Drums
Hear the stirring sounds of Revolutionary War field music, courtesy of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums.
Historic Places
The Historic Area recreates the atmosphere and lifestyle of Virginia’s colonial capital city, with 89 original 18th-century buildings, as well as hundreds more buildings reconstructed based on historical records and archaeological research.
More to Explore
Powder Magazine
The Powder Magazine was constructed to store the arms and ammunition dispatched from London for the defense of the colony. Restoration efforts aim to return the original building to its historic 1776 appearance.
Moments in History
How did ordinary people navigate a world of colonialism, slavery, and revolution? How did colonists come to defy the social order? How did they build a new one? Dig into these stories to learn more.
Moments
A Revolutionary Year Awaits
As we celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary and Colonial Williamsburg's 100th, we welcome America — and the world — to join us in 2026 in honoring the past, engaging the present, and inspiring the future.
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