Join the NBC 3rd Hour of TODAY anchors as they “buddy up” for an unforgettable journey through the heart of America’s early history in Williamsburg, Virginia. In this special segment, TODAY’s Al Roker, Dylan Dreyer, and guest co-host Patton Oswalt see history come alive on a trip through Williamsburg, experiencing what life was like in the 18th century. They lend a helping hand at the town print shop, taste Virginia-made cheeses at the Cheese Shop, and take a Yorktown & Co. Steamer Wagon to see the battlefield where the United States won its independence.

Exploring Williamsburg

The adventure kicks off at Colonial Williamsburg, the world’s largest living history museum and the perfect place to celebrate America's 250th Anniversary of Independence. Al Roker opens the day with a grand welcome from the Governor’s Palace, setting the tone for a journey packed with history, humor, and hands-on fun.

Colonial Williamsburg Print Shop - Today Show
The Print Shop at Colonial Williamsburg

The hosts roll up their sleeves at the Print Shop, one of Colonial Williamsburg’s more than 20 Historic Trades and Skills, where expert tradespeople keep 18th-century tools and techniques alive. With guidance from a master printer, they put their newfound skills to the test, operating a centuries-old press to print a copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer at the Colonial Williamsburg Print Show
Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer at the Colonial Williamsburg Print Show, Photo Credit: Dana Samuel/TODAY

As the ink is drying, the hosts stop for a snack at the Cheese Shop in Merchants Square. A longtime favorite of William & Mary alumni (including Patton Oswalt himself), this beloved family-owned institution has been serving the community for more than 50 years. The hosts try a tasting of Virginia-made cheeses, and of course, they have to try Patton's favorite snack: bread ends with house dressing.

Exploring Jamestown

Jamestown Glasshouse - Today Show
Hands-on history at the Jamestown Glasshouse

Next stop: the Jamestown Glasshouse, where one of America’s earliest industries comes alive. The hosts try their hand at making their own glass mug. Molten glass glows, and sparks fly as artisans demonstrate glassblowing techniques that date back more than 400 years. Many of these treasures can be purchased through the Glasshouse Gift Shop.

Exploring Yorktown

 

The journey wraps up in Yorktown, where the hosts hop aboard a Yorktown & Co. Steamer Wagon Tour. Riding in vintage-inspired style, they cruise through the historic Yorktown while learning about Yorktown’s pivotal role in the American Revolution.

Al Roker and Dylan Dreyer at the Yorktown Battlefield with George Washington
Behind the Scenes at the Yorktown Battlefield with George Washington,  Photo Credit: Dana Samuel/TODAY

At the Yorktown Battlefield, history reaches its dramatic climax as the group stands on the very ground where the United States secured its independence. The day ends on a relaxing note with a seaside picnic on Yorktown Beach, enjoying Cheese Shop sandwiches with sweeping views of the water — a perfect blend of past and present.