CEO: Colonial Williamsburg must be outsourced to survive

(AP) — Colonial Williamsburg will outsource many of its commercial operations and lay off workers in response to declining attendance and long-running financial challenges, the living history museum's top official announced Thursday.

The nonprofit foundation that operates the attraction is in final negotiations with four outside companies that will manage its golf operations, retail stores, much of its maintenance and facilities operations and its commercial real estate, President and CEO Mitchell Reiss said.

Today, it's a mix of historic and contemporary, where visitors can interact with the costumed workers and tour historic buildings but also browse apparel, jewelry, food and other shops in a retail square.