Armoury, Theater, and Springtime: Colonial Williamsburg

Today, we visited Colonial Williamsburg for the opening of the Armoury Complex opening, part I.

This is where the old blacksmith shop used to stand, then was relocated so the old, dilapidated building could be torn down to build another.

Building more than a blacksmith shop, an entire complex of six buildings is part of the project.

This parallel’s James Anderson’s 1778-1780 expansion of his blacksmith to an armoury complex, after the Commonwealth of Virginia appointed Anderson public armourer to supply the war effort in the American Revolution.

We’ve watched parts of this being built at the various trades over the last several months: a walking window and a gent at a window with no walls.

Only open for about an hour and a half, the blacksmiths have moved in and are busy on their first day of the sparkling clean building.

2012-3-31_8 Blacksmiths_Phase 1 Armoury Opening_Colonial Williamsburg — *Blacksmith shop in Colonial Williamsburg*

Next to the rebuilt blacksmith shop is the kitchen.

2012-3-31_3 kitchen_Phase 1 Armoury Opening_Colonial Williamsburg — *Armoury kitchen in Colonial Williamsburg*

On this first day cooking in the Armoury Complex, the cook spent the morning inside…

2012-3-31_4 Jim Gay_kitchen_Phase 1 Armoury Opening_Colonial Williamsburg — *Armoury kitchen in Colonial Williamsburg*

…then spent the afternoon cooking outside in his new beehive oven.

2012-3-31_6 Jim Gay_outdoor oven_Phase 1 Armoury Opening_Colonial Williamsburg — *Armoury kitchen in Colonial Williamsburg*

SPRING BLOSSOMS MARCH THROUGH COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

After exploring the new armoury, we explored the gardens which bloomed early this year.

2012-3-31_19 Governor's Palace Gardens_Colonial Williamsburg in Spring — *Springtime in Colonial Williamsburg*

A year ago today, it was cold with a snow in the air.

2012-3-31_26 Colonial Williamsburg in Spring — *Springtime in Colonial Williamsburg*

COLONIAL NURSERY

2012-3-31_29 nursery_Colonial Williamsburg in Spring — *Colonial nursery at Colonial Williamsburg*

PLAYBOOTH THEATER

Then we enjoyed a bit of entertainment with the Colonial Williamsburg Playbooth Theater.

These actors are portraying a traveling troupe, performing a program titled: Fops, Rogues and Villains.

First a skit involving a rogue was portrayed, which needed moral lessons.

102_3673 — *Playbooth Theater in Colonial Williamsburg*

Then a villain was portrayed, one from Othello named Iago!

Since we recently studied Othello, my kids knew all about him.

They were quite pleased that they got to see a Shakespearean performance at Colonial Williamsburg!

Finally, a fop (who excessively focuses on his appearance) appeared on stage.

Bragging about how he stylish he looked, he regaled us with all the amazing things he saw on his fantastic journey traveling the continent of Europe.