Colonial Williamsburg

We just spent two fun and fact-filled days at Colonial Williamsburg, VA.  If any of you have not been here, we highly recommend it!  We hope to return and catch sites and events we did not have time for.

Throughout the historical area there are guides, interpreters and actors in colonial period garb, sharing all kinds of tidbits and stories of the period.  They are fantastic.  Getting around the area is easy and inexpensive, as there are shuttle buses running constantly.  Shuttles are free with an admission ticket.  For seniors, it is $41 or $42 for a two day pass.

Ellen in front of the Governor's Palace

Williamsburg was Virginia's first colonial capitol.  British Governors ran things until the Revolution, when Patrick Henry became Governor, followed by Thomas Jefferson, who moved the Capitol to Richmond.  Some of the buildings are reconstructed, some are original.  All are interesting and magnificent.

John D. Rockefeller footed the bill for the creation and reconstruction of this historic town, starting in the late 1920's, and finishing in the mid-30s.  Not only are there government buildings (Capitol, Courthouse, Governor's Palace), but houses of wealthy Virginians, taverns, and shops, both retail and artisan.

The Palace was truly opulent, considering the average colonist might have had a house 12 by 8 or 10 feet with a dirt floor and no glass windows.  The entrance walls had over 600 swords and muskets displayed on the beautifully detailed walls. The grounds were beautifully manicured, including expansive gardens behind the palace, walls, gates, a hedge maze and the flowers were just starting to bloom. 
                                                           The gardens behind the Palace

Wealthy colonist homes also had more than they needed, both in terms of space and furniture, imported wallpaper and fancy wood trim.  One house was that of Peyton Randolph who may have become our first president had he not died just before independence was won.  He was the president of the early government. His funeral was witnessed by over 20,000.

His widow, Elizabeth, stuggled to keep things going, as the war complicated things for her.  Some of her servants/slaves left to serve in the British Military with the promise of freedom.  Elizabeth did not remarry, however, as to do so would let  her property go to her new husband. 

The house itself is huge and rambling, and painted a distinctive crimson red, a sign of royal richness.  The paint had to be imported. 

Throughout the skits and tours, the underlying issue of slavery bubbled and festered.  While these famous patriots exclaimed the need for freedom, most had servants and slaves who were not free.  We're not just talking about a tax on tea here.  Even a tavern owner had 20 slaves!

Bruton Parish Episcopal Church was open to the public, and this building was exceptional, complete with the pews with closing doors (for heat-bring your own hot coals-- and comfort) and the 400 year old baptismal font.

There is so much to see, we hope to return with a full week's ticket!