Colonial Williamsburg: Ideas that Shaped a Nation

May 3–7, 2027

Pricing: $4,895 per person; For a single room add $1,220

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For more information, contact ATA at 855-395-6100 or CHQtravels@academic-travel.com

Overview

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Chautauqua Travels invites you to continue the conversation in the place where many of the nation’s founding ideas first took form: Colonial Williamsburg. This program offers an opportunity to examine how the principles articulated in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness—were debated, contested, and lived in 18th‑century America. Guided by leading historians, archaeologists, curators, and museum leaders, explore Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown not as static symbols, but as dynamic places where ideals met reality, often imperfectly.

Grounded in the Chautauqua tradition of thoughtful dialogue and civic reflection, this experience invites travelers to consider both the promise, and the tensions embedded in America’s founding. Through private access, expert conversations, and time for reflection, the journey deepens understanding of how the American idea has evolved—and continues to challenge us—nearly two and a half centuries later. Developed in close partnership with The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, this immersive journey extends the Assembly’s semi quincentennial reflections through firsthand encounter, scholarly access, and shared inquiry.

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Toll-Free Number: 877-298-9677
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Trip Highlights

  • Extend the Chautauqua Summer Assembly’s semi quincentennial dialogue through immersive, place‑based exploration in partnership with Colonial Williamsburg.
  • Examine America’s founding ideals—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness— through private, expert‑led visits to Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown.
  • Engage directly with Colonial Williamsburg historians, archaeologists, and leadership, exploring how early American history is researched, debated, and interpreted today.
  • Explore underrepresented and evolving narratives, including African American community life, political power, and social struggle in colonial Virginia.
  • Participate in reflective discussions with fellow Chautauquans, connecting the nation’s 18th‑century origins with its ongoing democratic challenges.

Trip Host: Jordan Steves

Jordan Steves is the Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education. Jordan manages and provides leadership for the iconic Chautauqua Lecture Series (CLS), Chautauqua’s signature program presented each weekday morning of the Summer Assembly on the historic Amphitheater platform. He also oversees the Chautauqua Literary Arts (including the legacy of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, or CLSC), the beloved Smith Memorial Library, the Chautauqua Institution Archives, plus all CLS speaker and lecture-focused events such as master classes and partnerships.

Itinerary

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 1

Arrival and Welcome

Arrive in Williamsburg and check in to the iconic Williamsburg Inn, ideally situated adjacent to the Historic Area. This evening, gather with fellow Chautauquans for a private welcome dinner hosted by Colonial Williamsburg leadership. The evening offers an opportunity to connect, reflect on themes explored during the Summer Assembly, and frame the historical conversations ahead. Set in an intimate setting, the dinner establishes the collaborative spirit underlying this partnership and the inquiry‑based approach that will define the days to come.

Included Meal: Dinner

Accommodations: Williamsburg Inn

Day 2

Jamestown and the Chesapeake World

After breakfast, travel to Jamestown Island for a private, expert‑led exploration with pioneering archaeologist Bill Kelso, whose discoveries reshaped understanding of the earliest English settlement in North America. Walk the site of the original fort and explore the archaeological landscapes that continue to yield new insights. In the afternoon, cross the James River to Bacon’s Castle for a guided visit with historians Elyse Werling and Ron Hurst, examining the political, social, and architectural tensions of 17th‑century Virginia. Dinner is at leisure.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations: Williamsburg Inn

Day 3

Power, Community, and Interpretation

Begin with breakfast and a panel discussion with Colonial Williamsburg leadership, focusing on the evolving responsibilities of public history—what is preserved, whose stories are told, and how interpretation changes over time. Continue with a private tour of Colonial Williamsburg’s principal sites, followed by lunch at a historic tavern and a conversation on the process of “discovering history.” The afternoon highlights essential yet often overlooked narratives with visits to the African Baptist Meeting House and Bray School with senior Colonial Williamsburg staff concluding at the Campbell Archaeology Center for a behind‑the‑scenes look at active research projects with senior archaeologists. Enjoy an exclusive early-evening reception in a private residence in the Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area followed by dinner on your own.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodations: Williamsburg Inn

Day 4

Revolution, Art, and Cultural Expression

Travel to Yorktown this morning for a private tour of the American Revolution Museum, led by Senior Curator, Sarah Meschutt and key interpretive staff exploring the conflict’s global dimensions and enduring consequences. Enjoy time at leisure for lunch in Yorktown before returning to Williamsburg for an expert‑led visit to the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, guided by senior curatorial staff focusing on craftsmanship, design, and cultural exchange in early America. This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at the historic Raleigh Tavern, echoing the site’s role as a center of colonial political and social life.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodations: Williamsburg Inn

Day 5

Departure 

Depart Williamsburg at your leisure, carrying forward new insights, enriched conversations, and a deeper understanding of the historical foundations that continue to shape American civic life.

What’s Included?

  • All accommodations for the duration of the tour
  • Meals, as noted in the itinerary
  • All sightseeing and visits as noted in the itinerary
  • Expertise of a Chautauqua expert, ATA-hired travel director, and local guides throughout the tour
  • All gratuities for on-tour guides, drivers, hotel, and restaurant staff as part of the group program
  • All on-tour transportation, unless otherwise noted
  • Quietvox listening devices to facilitate audibility and social distancing on tour
  • The assistance of an ATA professional travel team to assist with pre-trip questions, travel arrangements, including flights, extra hotel nights and other services
  • Comprehensive pre-departure mailings and materials with information about the destination and what to expect on tour, including a suggested reading list
  • Emergency evacuation insurance

Accommodations

Williamsburg Inn
Williamsburg Inn, an official Colonial Williamsburg Hotel, is a grand, five‑star retreat at the edge of Colonial Williamsburg, combining classic elegance with refined modern comfort. Inspired by the region’s historic architecture, the Inn offers beautifully appointed rooms, manicured grounds, and impeccable service. Guests enjoy fine dining, a full‑service spa, championship golf, and easy access to the restored historic area, creating an atmosphere of timeless Southern hospitality. 4 nights