The Reverend and the Millionaire
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.6/5
Based on 8 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is The Reverend and the Millionaire worth booking?
The Reverend and the Millionaire is a 1-hour experience in Williamsburg, United States, from $25 per person. It scores 58 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.6/5 rating across 8 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 58 / 100
- Rating
- 4.6/5 (8)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $25 per person
During this one-hour walking tour, discover how a sleepy southern town was restored to its former colonial splendor through the dream of Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the backing of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. We will discuss
What you get
About this experience
During this one-hour walking tour, discover how a sleepy southern town was restored to its former colonial splendor through the dream of Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the backing of Mr. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. We will discuss the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg from its conception through to the continuing restoration efforts. We encourage questions and conversation so all guests can better understand why Williamsburg was, and is, so important not only to Dr. Goodwin and Mr. Rockefeller but also to future generations. Please note: Due to staff participation in other events, tours may be unavailable on some days. Please see our website for information. *Shades of Our Past is not affiliated with Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, this tour does not include entrance or admission into Colonial Williamsburg-owned buildings. Since the tour is through the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, it is weather contingent. Please be prepared for all weather conditions.
What's included
Included
- Souvenir button
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Bruton Parish Episcopal Church
Tour guide introduces guests to W.A.R. Goodwin and his coming to Williamsburg and what the city looked like when he arrived.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
George Wythe House
Tour guide talks about Godwin’s dream of taking Williamsburg back to its Colonial splendor. Pointing out on Palace green what was there in 1927. To do this though he needed money.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Tour guide tells them of partnership between Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller, Jr.. Guide points out what were original buildings and what had to be reconstructed. Discusses methods used to find where buildings originally stood. ( this path may be different for each tour depending on Colonial Williamsburg maintenance schedule, activities and weather)
20 minutes here
Talk about this building being the first exhibition site opened to the public.
10 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Williamsburg
The sandwich board will be placed in the street in front of the church.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Shades of Our Past
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 8 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
8 verified traveler reviews for The Reverend and the Millionaire. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lovely tour in a very pleasant environment
Very enjoyable tour. Our guides, Heather, was very friendly and informative. She gave us plenty of time for questions. We learned so much about a topic we weren’t even aware of until yesterday. Loved it!
Response from the operator: We are glad you enjoyed your tour with Heather and that she helped you learn something new. As an unknown author once said, "Never stop learning, because life never stops teaching."
via Tripadvisor
Excellent, detailed tour!
For anyone interested in the how and why of the original restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, this is the tour to take. Very detailed and informative, the tour starts at Bruton Parish Church, lasts about an hour and ends at the Raleigh Tavern. Our guide Heather was very knowledgeable and we enjoyed the stories of the early days of the restoration with Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Highly recommend the tour!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your kind review. We are glad you enjoyed the stories of the Restoration. As Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin wrote once to a ten year old girl.” Shut your eyes and see the gladsome ghosts who once made these places their home. You can learn to call them back.” Hope you had fun learning with us!
via Tripadvisor
Fantastic Tour - Recommend it
The tour was absolutely amazing. Our tour guide Heather Pfeifer was fantastic. She was very knowledgeable and made the tour very interesting. I learned much about the restoration of Williamsburg. I full recommend this tour.
Response from the operator: We are so pleased you enjoyed your tour with Heather! Thank you for taking your time to write a review. Glad you enjoyed the place that during WWII was called in their brochures “The Shoes of Freedom”.
via Tripadvisor
An Entertaining, Educational and Fun Time for All!
I recently took the tour, The Reverend and the Millionaire, and found it to be a most enjoyable experience. Our tour leader was engaging, knowledgeable and fun!! The tour provided a behind-the-scenes view into the late 19th-century and early 20th-century preservation of Virginia's old capital city of Williamsburg and the founding of what is now Colonial Williamsburg. Though our guide shared images of the town and its buildings before restoration which were fascinating, this is really a tour about people, connections and a man with a vision. We learned about Reverend Goodwin's dream of restoring the town, his efforts to find a benefactor and how he enticed millionaire John D. Rockefeller Jr. to embrace his dream. Our tour leader shared many funny and poignant anecdotes that brought to life these men, various townspeople and others involved in this great restoration endeavor. Our leader also encouraged dialog and questions among the group, so it felt like a group of friends learning together. I highly recommend this tour. It was a very memorable afternoon.
Response from the operator: We thank you for your kind review. We are so pleased that you found the experience friendly, educational and fun. We find the dream of Dr. Goodwin and the financial backing of Rockefeller a story worth sharing and we are honored that you feel the same. As Dr. Goodwin would say, “The Ghosts of the past are my gladsome companions in the near midnight silence.”
via Tripadvisor
Highly Recommend!
An engaging and informative walking tour! Our guide, Heather, was very knowledgeable, and it was evident that she enjoys what she does. The tour began on the Palace Green and introduced us to some of the individuals who were instrumental in the initial efforts to preserve this portion of local colonial history which leads to the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg. You will be introduced to the key figures in the restoration, the historical significance to sites and why they were reconstructed or restored. I loved that Heather brought photos along to show what some of the sites looked like before they were restored and that she discussed how changes are still made today as new documentation comes to light. Do wear comfortable shoes as it is a walking tour, but I found that Heather went at a comfortable pace and stopped at significant places along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask questions as that’s how everyone learns, and those questions can lead to even more discoveries! Well done, Heather and the Shades of Our Past team! I’ll definitely return for your other tours!
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your review! We are glad that you found the tour informative and enjoyable. We do love what we do and relish when we can share History with others. As Mr. Rockefeller Jr would say, “ we can often find in the past, the courage, strength, and inspiration with which to face the future.”
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Wed, Fri
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 3
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Why this scores 58
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
The Reverend and the Millionaire: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Williamsburg.
How much does The Reverend and the Millionaire cost?
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Prices start at $25 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Williamsburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does The Reverend and the Millionaire take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Williamsburg is not rushed.
Is The Reverend and the Millionaire worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 58 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.6/5 across 8 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Williamsburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule The Reverend and the Millionaire?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is The Reverend and the Millionaire suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book The Reverend and the Millionaire?
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Around 3 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Williamsburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Williamsburg and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does The Reverend and the Millionaire start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Williamsburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Williamsburg?
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Williamsburg centres on Colonial Williamsburg passes, Jamestown and Yorktown history tours, lantern-lit ghost walks and theme park tickets a few minutes away. On Outty we rank every Williamsburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full Day Historic Guided Tour to Jamestown and Yorktown with Lunch, Magic Happens at The Wagsters Magic Theatre, Williamsburg Ghosts, Witches and Pirates Tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Williamsburg?
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April to June and September to October. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Williamsburg?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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