Studying our favorite era and remembering our 2004 trip, we recreated Colonial Williamsburg as much as possible.
Setting the Stage
As our guests entered, including one from 1500 miles away just to see this presentation, they easily took a broadside (on the left) while the souvenirs where left for later.
Here are the books that were read and the art projects that were completed. The kids wove baskets, decoupaged boxes, made silver plates and cups, copy books, and clay pieces which was a popular art form back then.
Meeting the Players
As we came down the stairs with my son in the lead, he played Yankee Doodle on the fife he got at Colonial Williamsburg a few years ago.
After introducing ourselves (I was portraying Martha Washington, my daughter portrayed Abigail Adams, and my son portrayed a boy from a plantation near Yorktown) he explained that their broadsides had scripts to help them participate in our presentation.
Our Boston Tea Party
My son gave some background information on the historical events leading to the boycott on tea.
Then daughter presented her speech on Liberty Tea (which we made from fresh orange and chocolate mint leaves in my garden…it tasted excellent!), explaining proper etiquette, and then served tea. See that video at this Youtube link.
A Virginia Buffet
We served a buffet dinner made from recipes from historical places in Virginia:
Virginia Ham
Currant Nut Tea Cake from Carter’s Grove Plantation near Williamsburg, Virginia
Almond Macaroons from King Arms Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia
Sweet Potato Muffins from Christiana Campbell’s Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia
Garden Salad from Monticello near Charlottesville, Virginia (Thomas Jefferson’s cooks were known for using fresh ingredients from the garden, especially peaches, which are in this salad with an herbal vinaigrette.)
Whipped Honey Butter imported from New York Colony
Apple Cider Cake from Chownings Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia (This cake got stuck in the bundt pan. I had to scoop it out. It was then renamed Spiced Apple Spoonbread with Apple Cider Sauce. It turned out to be the best tasting item offered!)
In the kitchen we had Peanut Soup from Mount Vernon near Alexandria, Virginia. (This was one of George Washington’s favorite dishes. I altered the recipe significantly so that it is lighter. (gasp)
There was also Wassail from Raleigh Tavern in Williamsburg, Virginia.
At the end of dinner, the children each played pieces on a keyboard borrowed from my mom.
Using the harpsichord setting, my daughter played a piece she is currently learning, while my son taught himself in 2 weeks how to play Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.
Onset of the American Revolution
Then my daughter gave a speech about the events from the Boston Tea Party to Patrick Henry’s Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death speech.
Boston News
Then my son gave a speech on the geography of Boston, Lexington and Concord, and background behind the poem Paul Revere’s Ride.
View the video of my daughter reciting The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere at this Youtube link.
Then my son handed me (Martha Washington) a letter from George Washington.
A Letter from General Washington
Although Martha thought she had burned all the correspondence between her and her husband, three have since been found.
After printing a copy of one of the letters, the kids and I sealed it with sealing wax and a stamp purchased at Monticello four years ago.
We left it sealed until I opened it to read aloud for all to hear.
Declaration of Independence
Then my daughter gave a speech on the Declaration of Independence.
Afterwards my son recited the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence from memory. See that video at this Youtube link.
Women in the American Revolution
Then my daughter gave a speech on the role of women during the American Revolution, specifically Abigail Adams and Martha Washington.
Siege of Yorktown
Afterwards my son gave his speech, telling how he lived on a plantation near Yorktown.
Explaining how he helped in the war, even though he was only a boy, he was able to make ammunition.
He even described the events he saw at the Battle of Yorktown and the final victory!
A New Nation is Formed
Then my daughter gave a speech on the Constitution of the United States of America.
Afterwards my son recited the Preamble to the Constitution which can be viewed at this Youtube link.
Our Colonial Gazette
At this point the children distributed souvenirs to the guests, causing everyone to get big smiles on their faces.
They had been given copies of our Colonial Gazette.
Using the skills they learned from IEW, each of the kids wrote one article of their choice each week of our studies.
News topics range from historical events to gardening and architecture spanning time from the French and Indian War to the term of our first president of the United States.
On the last page my son wrote an advertisement.
Comprised of 10 pages, the gazettes were printed in double-columns on parchment paper, then folded in half.
