The tall figure of George Washington on horseback, his large, strong hands on the reins, was well-known in Williamsburg for three decades.

Washington may have known Williamsburg as early as 1749 when, as a 17-year-old, he may have visited his colony's capital to apply for a surveyor's license from the College of William and Mary. More than 30 years later--in the autumn of 1781--he again rode into town, this time as commander in chief of the American army.

In 1759, Washington took a seat in the House of Burgesses in the Capitol at the age of 27. He helped shape the tradition of self-government for the next 16 years.

He dined with such locals as George Wythe and Peyton Randolph. He worshipped at Bruton Parish Church. He enjoyed congenial evenings at the Raleigh, King's Arms, and Christiana Campbell's Taverns. He attended the theater and once viewed four performances in a row, to see a particular red-haired actress deliver her lines. He supped with the governor and attended balls at the Palace and the Capitol. He patronized Williamsburg's tradespeople.