The Guide to Living in Kingsmill

THE GUIDE TO LIVING IN KINGSMILL

The History of Kingsmill

Set on the banks of the James River near historic Williamsburg, Virginia, Kingsmill is a community shaped by more than four centuries of American history.

From its earliest colonial land grants to its present role as a celebrated residential and resort destination, Kingsmill has always reflected the enduring relationship between Virginia’s land, people, and river.

Kingsmill’s story begins in 1619, when Richard Kingsmill and several other settlers from the Virginia Company received some of the first land grants in the new colony. Over time, small farms gave way to grand plantations, most notably the 1,400-acre estate built in the 1730s by Colonel Lewis Burwell III. Known as Kingsmill Plantation, it stood as one of the early Colonial era’s most impressive estates, with orchards, formal gardens, and a busy river landing that became part of Virginia’s economic lifeblood.

The land where Kingsmill stands has seen many pivotal moments in American history. During Bacon’s Rebellion, the Revolutionary War, and later the Civil War, Kingsmill was both a backdrop and a battleground. Burwell’s Landing and Quarterpath Road hosted clashes between British and American troops, while the Battle of Williamsburg in 1862 claimed thousands of lives across its fields. The plantation itself deteriorated in the years that followed, though remnants of its 18th-century kitchen and office still stand.

In the 20th century, Kingsmill entered a new chapter when the Anheuser-Busch corporation acquired the land in 1969, launching archaeological digs that uncovered centuries of artifacts and remnants of early colonial life. Careful preservation paired with thoughtful development led to the creation of Kingsmill on the James — a master-planned residential community and resort that balances history, natural beauty, and modern living.

Today, Kingsmill is known for its leafy, park-like character. Nearly half of the land remains in green space, with miles of biking and hiking trails weaving through forests, streams, and riverfront. The community’s golf courses, marina, and resort continue the tradition of leisure first envisioned by its earliest developers. Along its pathways, native oaks, magnolias, and dogwoods remind visitors of the land’s deep-rooted connection to Virginia’s natural heritage.

From colonial settlement to contemporary retreat, Kingsmill is more than a place — it’s a living tapestry of Virginia’s history, where every era has left its mark along the banks of the James River.