President’s Day Weekend at Colonial Williamsburg was wonderful!
Traditional favorites were juxtaposed with a prodigious surprise, in the midst of every form of precipitation known to humankind!
I also got to ask lots of history questions!
Always seeking, always learning, and always trying to turn the conversation to new journeys I want to explore.
PATRICK HENRY
The weekend began with sunshine and Patrick Henry!
In fact, the day was so gorgeous that he took his Mary Stith house venue out of doors to accommodate the crowds.
Afterwards I talked to him about some historical ponderings and his response most definitely buoyed my spirits.
BURGESS AT THE CAPITOL: WE ARE THE TOOLS
Then we went to the Capitol for a special winter program called, Dialogues in Revolution.
After a tour of the capitol, we were led into the General Court where we listened to Patrick Henry (again!) and fellow burgess, Archibald Carey.
Carey told us that they, the burgesses, are not the government but the tools.
They represent us.
When he opened the floor for questions, I shot up my hand and asked about the origins of that thought, that they are not the government but the tools.
Carey said, “Madame, I could stand here for hours detailing all of that for you. Do you really want to hear all of that?”
He obviously doesn’t know me very well. 😉
Giving an abbreviated answer, he began with Moses in the Old Testament who had representatives of the people who helped him govern, though they weren’t elected.
Then he talked about the Roman Republic.
Patrick Henry shared a bit about John Locke, who said that the king should not rule by Divine Right but by the governed.
Then he talked about Montesquieu.
MILLINER WINTER WARMTH INSPIRATION TO SEW
CAPITOL: WHEN WASHINGTON, JEFFERSON, AND MADISON WERE BURGESSES
The next morning was a bit cold and breezy as we walked to the Capitol to meet with three presidents from Virginia: Washington, Madison and Jefferson.
Throughout the weekend we met them at different times of their lives, but this morning as we entered the time tunnel, we entered 1776, before Independence, as they reflected on their work as burgesses in this very building.
First, we met with Colonel Washington in the House of Burgesses, with whom my son chatted, commenting on his wearing colonel epaulettes.
Col. Washington commended him, saying that guests rarely catch that distinction, as most assume they are general’s epaulettes.
Ah, we’ve done our research, so we know a few things about epaulettes! 😉
Then we went upstairs to meet with President James Madison who reflected on his part on the Virginia Declaration of Rights, written in June 1776.
He recalled that in 1776 he was a 25-year-old junior member of the House of Burgesses, serving his first public position.
With the intent to observe and listen, one part of the Declaration of Rights caused him to speak up and as a result, he got to add his influence to this key document that was primarily credited to George Mason.
Walking downstairs to the General Court, we found the seats nearly filled up.
Mr. Jefferson called my family and a few others to join him…behind the bar!!!! Wow!
And we haven’t even passed the bar exam yet!
Furiously scribbling in my colonial day book, I had trouble keeping up with the many pieces of legislation he helped with in the House of Burgesses.
LAFAYETTE AT THE TUCKER HOUSE
After lunch we went to the Tucker House to meet with the Marquise de Lafayette!
That was a great program, as always, that I never tire of, which you shall soon read.
I even got to ask him a few questions to settle my spirit about a few historical queries regarding a biography I’m reading about Lafayette.
CHOCOLATE MAKING AT GOVERNOR’S PALACE KITCHEN
Then we quickly walked to the Palace because it was chocolate making day!
Since there were crowds galore and we had another program to attend, I sneaked some peaks through the open window while enjoying the wonderful aroma!
PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON AT THE HENNAGE AUDITORIUM
Then we scurried to the museum for a public audience with President George Washington.
He talked some about the need to compromise which prompted a question from my son.
First, he thanked the president for his illustrious service to our nation.
{{{Methinks the general was fighting back a smile. =)}}}
My son’s query was thus, “How does one balance compromise with keeping what we feel is a strong position of virtue in decision making.”
The president not only fully answered it but reflected back upon it when another question came up.
SNOW SUDDENLY IN THE FORECAST?
The next morning promised…snow!
I don’t think snow even entered the forecast until the day before we arrived, so I didn’t pack my hiking boots to stay water proof.
We weren’t even sure if the afternoon cannon program would proceed, because rain was expected through the day, culminating in snow.
Thankfully I was able to snag a few opportunities for indoor programming.
LADY WASHINGTON AS WIFE OF THE FIRST PRESIDENT
Keeping warm and dry in the Hennage Auditorium, we met Lady Washington, who shared her responsibilities as first lady, especially since she had precedence to set.
She was a Cincinnatus like her husband, preferring to be home, but knowing she had a duty to perform.
Expectations from the American people and the knowledge that she was representing America to heads of state in Europe, helped her persevere.
The funniest part of the program was at the very end, while she took personal queries and posed with the public for quick renderings.
During this time one of the museum staff announced that Thomas Jefferson was soon to arrive, so we needed to clear the auditorium so his audience could take their seats.
Perhaps she could take queries and pose for renderings outside the door?
At the mere mention of Jefferson’s name, she let out a loud exasperated sigh.
Apparently the Washingtons and Thomas Jefferson didn’t see eye to eye on everything. 😉
LAFAYETTE AT THE RALEIGH TAVERN
Since I was not able to secure tickets to see Mr. Jefferson, I wondered if Lafayette could endure our visit with him for a second day in a row???
Besides, sitting in the Raleigh Tavern would be much drier than hanging outdoors in the cold drizzle, and we always learn something new at his programs.
We went, we surreptitiously entered, and he chuckled greatly, but assured me we were welcome! 😉
SALUTE TO THE PRESIDENTS
Then it was time to see if the cannon show would commence.
As we walked in the rain down Duke of Gloucester Street, we heard the Fife and Drum corps.
Catching up to them, we followed them to the Court House where they had an abbreviated Salute to the Presidents.
With a touch of snow in the air, we shivered with cold and wet, so we enjoyed a warm pizza dinner at Merchant Square, one of our favorite cozy places.
Leaving the cozy warm restaurant for Evening with the Presidents at Kimball Theater, walked out into a downpour of snow!
I’ve never seen such a thing. (I’m still new to Virginia.)
EVENING WITH THE PRESIDENTS…AND SOMEONE ELSE
Evening with the Presidents was incredible!
There is always a surprise guest which creates much fanfare and shocked reaction from the presidents on the stage.
All I’ll say is that it was MAGNIFICENT!
I did get to talk to the secret guest afterwards who wondered why I did not have a question.
Well, I did have one but wasn’t sure if I should ask it. Perhaps it would have been an intriguing one. Now I wish I had asked. Oh well.
Afterwards I got to talk to each of the stars of the show. President Jefferson was especially chatty with me, expounding all types of details to a question that I asked.
SLIDING ON SNOW ON THE GROUND
When we left the Kimball, we found snow on the ground!
I was trying to run to the bus without slipping in the icy sludge of snow.
My son took my arm and how I hoped one of us wouldn’t slip and pull the other down.
We were laughing, playing in the snow and I cried, “A bus! A bus! My kingdom for a bus!”
We did it! We made it to the bus! The bus driver was great too!
Asking all of us where we were going, he dropped them off directly in front of the Woodlands, then he dropped us off at our van! Wow, what service!
MONDAY PICTURES IN THE SNOW
Monday morning was sunny, and the snow started to melt, so we tried to capture as many snow pictures as possible of my daughter in her scarlet cloak and my son in his Lafayette regimental.
I also wanted as many pictures of the gorgeous historic area that looked like a gingerbread village sprinkled with snow, before it all melted under the bright sun.
LAFAYETTE AT THE TUCKER HOUSE
Looking at the schedule to see what was left in the day, we saw one opening on this slow and quiet Monday after a major weekend.
So we went to the Tucker House to see…dare I say it? The Marquise de Lafayette.
After the program he asked us if we had enough of Lafayette for the weekend.
Well, I had to come to talk to him about one more thing and that was great!
We were so glad we came because each audience interaction experience is unique, and this one was unusually unique so we were glad to have been there to catch all the terrific reactions.
AMBLING THROUGH TOWN IN THE SUNSHINE
Afterwards there was nothing to do but we didn’t want to go home.
We walked around, visited the grounds at Bassett Hall, saw some sheep being sheared, walked down DOG street and visited with Lady Washington and Alexander Purdie who greeted us with a line from Shakespeare!
Then I asked about possible subscriptions to his gazette from my part of Virginia.
I learned a lot because I’ve been curious to do some research.
Our 21st century house sits on an 18th century plantation…
