After a long day at the capitol on the Duke of Gloucester Street, Virginia burgesses frequently met at the Charleton’s Coffeehouse to further discuss issues of the day, over a cup of coffee…or even wine.
Reconstruction of the Charleton’s Coffeehouse
We have literally watched this from the ground up. When we were there on vacation in 2004 and again in 2008, the site was an archaeological dig with and interesting history.
After the completion of the foundation a year ago, the foundation the walls went up.
When we lived in Texas we watched a web cam of the building process.
Now that we live in Virginia, we’ve been able to watch the completion in person.
We’ve been to different historic trades where we’ve seen elements that would go into the Coffeehouse.
We watched the creation of the trim at the carpenter shop…
When we visited the brickyard we watched them set up the tarp for the kiln. Some of these handmade bricks were used in the rebuilt Coffeehouse.
While visiting the blacksmith, we saw the locks and keys they made for the Coffeehouse.
Finally the research, planning, and building were complete.
W.A.R. Goodwin and John D. Rockefeller reenact 1920s partnership of Williamsburg 18th century restoration
Then Mr. Goodwin came out and incredulously looked at the Coffeehouse, while Mr. John D. Rockefeller came up to him.
These are the two men who are responsible for Colonial Williamsburg.
Mr. Goodwin was the rector of Bruton Parish Church and lived next door in the Wythe house.
He had a vision for this sleepy town that time forgot, to restore it to its historical roots.
The historical towns of the American Revolution, such as New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and Charleston, grew into huge cities, forever changed by technology in the 1920’s.
Despite 1920s technology in Williamsburg, the town continued with its small footprint.
Turning back the hands of time of the little town was a matter of editing out telephone poles, a gas station, and modern designs.
Replacing modern 19th and 20th century styles and inventions with the 18th century were realistic possibilities.
Mr. Goodwin’s vision became reality when he found a benefactor in Mr. Rockefeller, who caught Goodwin’s vision.
Famously they restored the historic area together during the 1920s and 1930s.
In this scene, their 1920s personas, now transported to 2009, wonder who restored Charleton’s Coffeehouse.
Colonial Williamsburg restoration legacy continues
Today’s generous donors, such as the Mars Foundation who funded the Coffeehouse, represent Rockefeller.
Meanwhile modern Colonial Williamsburg Foundation presidents, such as Colin Campbell who befriended Mr. Mars with a vision, represent Goodwin.
Charleton’s Coffeehouse site of 1785 Stamp Act riot
Charleton’s Coffeehouse is the new stage for a famous historical event from the days of the 1785 Stamp Act.
After King George III imposed the Stamp Act on the colonies, cries of “No taxation without representation!” arose far and wide.
When George Mercer, stamp agent for the king, arrived in town to collect taxes, an angry mob dragged dragged him to the front porch of Charleton’s Coffeehouse.
Royal governor Fauquier quickly escorted the stamp collector safely out of the way.
Guests treated to hot cider, coffee, and chocolate
After the ceremonies, the guests were invited to samples of a hot drinks.
The historic options included the Charleton CoffeehGue ouse blend of coffee and hot apple cider which were wonderfully warm in the autumnal coolness from the setting sun.
Additionally guests received samples of the American Heritage chocolate, made like the historic chocolate made in the Governor’s Palace kitchen.
Found in the historic shops, these chocolates have a dusting of spices on it, because in the 18th century, the same grater used to grate spices also grated chocolate.
First tours of the Coffeehouse
Then we got in line for the first night of tours of the Coffeehouse.
Surrounded by cressets, which are baskets on top of poles with special firewood in them, a welcoming warmth emanated from the flames.
Entering the Coffeehouse, we found the numerous fireplaces ablaze with warmth!
In a few days, the regular historic tours will begin, which will include a choice of one sample: coffee, cider, or chocolate.
I’ll be choosing chocolate!
