Press Releases

September 12, 2008: Congressman Wittman Announces Colonial Williamsburg Grant

Washington, D.C., September 12, 2008

(WASHINGTON, DC) - Congressman Rob Wittman announced the award of a $943,090 grant to fund a partnership between Colonial Williamsburg and the Institute for Advanced Technology in the Humanities at the University of Virginia. This grant will be used to develop digital recreations of buildings at Colonial Williamsburg.

"It is amazing that 400 years after its founding, we are still discovering history at Colonial Williamsburg. I'm proud that two of the Commonwealth's great institutions are partnering to continue this important task," said Wittman.

Through this partnership, Colonial Williamsburg will recreate 3D models of five specific historical buildings while also recreating a streetscape of 23 digitized facades. These models will enhance not only historians' research of Colonial Williamsburg, but will also be available to the general public. The models will be interactive and available online along with an abundance of material already collected by Williamsburg researchers.

This funding is distributed through the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership grant. Colonial Williamsburg was one of forty-four projects selected out of more than 143 applicants to receive funding and will contribute matching funds of $950,666. Recipients are chosen on the project's ability to generate substantial national results to maximize the impact of federal funds.

Congressman Rob Wittman represents the First District of Virginia. He was elected to replace the late Rep. Jo Ann Davis in a special election last December.