Williamsburg, Independent city in Virginia, United States
Williamsburg is an independent city located between the James and York rivers in Virginia. The city covers roughly 9.2 square miles, with terrain rising from about 6 to 90 feet above sea level.
The settlement began in 1632 as Middle Plantation, serving as the site for several early farms. It became Virginia's colonial capital in 1699, taking over from Jamestown as the center of government.
The College of William & Mary, founded in 1693, stands as the second-oldest educational institution in the United States, employing 3,000 faculty and staff members.
The historic open-air museum spans over 600 acres with hundreds of restored and reconstructed 18th-century buildings. Visitors walk through rebuilt streets and can watch craftspeople demonstrating period trades.
North America's first dedicated psychiatric hospital opened here during the 1770s and treated patients with mental illnesses. The facility pioneered care for people experiencing psychological distress at that time.
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