Colonial Williamsburg admissions down

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) - Colonial Williamsburg says its paid admission for the historic area fell in 2011 in what it called a challenging year.

The area recorded 670,500 paid general admission tickets in 2011 compared with 686,000 the year before. But its total visitation for 2011 remained the same at 1.7 million. Entrance to the area is free, but admission tickets are needed for access to certain buildings.

Officials say attendance was negatively impacted by a decline in consumer confidence coupled with extreme weather conditions.

However, fundraising increased in 2011. Nearly 109,000 donors nationwide made gifts totaling $14.5 million compared with $14.3 million in 2010. Officials say Virginians accounted for 16 percent of the donors.

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates and maintains the preserved 18th century site as an educational and tourist venue.