A view down the main street of Williamsburg, VA – the Duke of Gloucester.
Colonial Williamsburg is a living history museum with restored buildings and actors in period costumes making 18th century history come alive. It’s picturesque and well done.
While driving through five states to get from Minnesota to Virginia we started listening to the book 1776 to get a flavor of what was happening during that time period. It was interesting and thought-provoking. It made us think of how a few men together discussed, debated, and made decisions that changed the life of the colonies forever. All the events leading up to our freedom from England is not something we think about much, but it was interesting to have a refresher history lesson. The problems we experience today are not easy and the problems they experienced back then weren’t easy, but it was fun and enlightening to get glimpses of our past played out for us.
The Raleigh Tavern, built in 1717, was a center of social business and political activities. Guests include George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry and Lafayette. Many discussions about the future of our country were held in this place. It was remarkable to be able to walk around in it.The Magazine. A magazine “stores or contains things”…this magazine held military artillery.The first capital of Virginia- well, a replica, built in the early 1930’s.The Court House…Gary acted as a defendant during a reenactment of a colonial court case.The Governor’s Palace was grand.A Fife and Drum corps march and demonstration ends the day at Williamsburg. Drums were used for the men to march in step, and were an important part of the battlefield communications system, with various drum rolls used to signal different commands from officers to troops.An interesting, gnarly, old tree next to an aged brick building. The brick fence trimmed with a rounded top, also made from bricks, is very unique.The Rockefeller retreat home…they spent springs and falls in this beautiful home. They were very philanthropic and have contributed much to the development of Colonial Williamsburg, contributing to the saving of over twenty National Parks and started many schools for black children.
To visit these real places from history is an amazing experience and we enjoyed our time in Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown.
