From Lassie to presidents to Hollywood celebrities—there have been several famous faces to pass through our hotels and take strolls (or carriage rides) down DoG Street.
Most recently, we had not one, but two celebs spend time in the Historic Area and share their adventure on social media. Matthew Gray Gubler from Criminal Minds and Owain Yeoman from TURN: Washington’s Spies took to their Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram accounts and as a result, many of their followers also became fans of Colonial Williamsburg.
Of course, before there were smart phones and selfie sticks and videos that went viral, we documented celebrity visits through good old fashioned photographs. Marianne Martin in Visual Resources was gracious enough to take the time to pull some old pictures for us. The list of celebrities, politicians, and dignitaries who have visited is pretty exhaustive so we chose just a few we thought you’d enjoy!
Betty White visited in 2010 for a fundraiser for the Morris Animal Foundation, held in the Virginia Room of the Williamsburg Lodge. White was so impressed with Ranger, she couldn’t resist stealing a kiss after her ride—a moment captured by a local newspaper photographer.
Child star Shirley Temple walking with her father George in front of the Williamsburg Inn in 1938.
Shirley Temple returned to the Revolutionary City in 1977. In this picture, she’s awaiting a radio broadcast.
Perry Como and John Wayne posed for this picture in the Governor’s Palace during filming of Como’s Christmas special, November 1978.
“Lassie” filmed an episode here in 1966
Queen Elizabeth took a carriage ride down Duke of Gloucester St. in 2007.
President George H.W. Bush’s visit in 1995
In 1992 during his run for president, Bill Clinton made a stop in Williamsburg to meet with voters.
Robert Kennedy and his wife as guests at the Williamsburg Inn, April 16, 1961. Kennedy was a speaker at the Scripps Howard Editors Conference.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill ride down Duke of Gloucester Street during their visit to Colonial Williamsburg on March 8, 1946.
Mamie Gummer (daughter of Meryl Streep) starred as Lady Dunmore, in a Revolutionary Story scene “Lady Dunmore Prepares for the Ball.”
Jesse Williams, popular actor on TV’s “Grey’s Anatomy” participated in “What Holds The Future?” in the Governor’s Palace Gardens. The scene centered on the personal stories of several slaves of the royal governor-their worries, their efforts to win freedom, and the fates of their children as they are about to be sold as property to the highest bidder.
Do you have memories, newspaper clippings, or old photographs of celebrities visiting the Revolutionary City? We’d love to see and hear about them. Please feel free to share in the comments below!
Just curious — what is the crenellated building behind Churchill and Eisenhower?
Hugh Downs came with the Today Show in 1966. The little girl is Patricia Crane, whose father was at the Printer and Bindery.
Walter Cronkite, left, near the Capitol. I believe that’s Carlisle Humelsine far right. The year was 66-68?
My father, Ray Townsend, with the Queen Mother at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery. 1954?
It was an awesome experience meeting Matthew Gubler when he visited town, and thank you for including my picture here!
This photo essay speaks to the wonder of CW; it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or your social status, you can enjoy CW and its wonderful programming. It is an honor to work here.
Huzzah from the Historic Area!
I believe the Lassie episode was from 1966 rather than 1969.
Kevin - you are correct! We just double checked and have adjusted.
What about the actors in The Beloved Woman of Chota. ..DeLanna Studi, Michael Spears (Dances With Wolves, Into the West) and Zahn McClarnon (Longmire and Fargo). The American Indian Initiative does an awesome job providing Native stories throughout CW !!
Lassie is still the best!
I think I remember that Lassie still holds the speed record for getting through the maze behind the Governor’s Palace!
RE: General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Winston Churchill carriage ride - https://rocklib.omeka.net/items/show/650: “During their carriage ride, the horses were frightened and the tour continued by car. General Eisenhower recalled how “Sir Winston didn’t pay any attention [to the frightened horses], he just lit his cigar.” ”
My understanding is the horses were a little more than frightened - they bolted!