<P> The House of Burgesses became the House of Delegates in 1776, forming the lower house of the General Assembly, the legislative branch of the Commonwealth of Virginia . Through the House of Burgesses, the Virginia House of Delegates is considered the oldest continuous legislative body in the New World . </P> <P> In honor of the original House of Burgesses, every four years, the Virginia General Assembly traditionally leaves the current Capitol in Richmond, and meets for one day in the restored Capitol building at Colonial Williamsburg . The most recent commemorative session (the 26th) was held in January 2016 . </P> <P> In January 2007, the Assembly held a special session at Jamestown to mark the 400th anniversary of its founding as part of the Jamestown 2007 celebration, including an address by then - Vice-President Dick Cheney . </P>

What is the house of burgesses similar to today in the us