Now that my daughter is in college, we aren’t as flexible to visit for Grand Illumination and George Whitefield events, earlier in December.
‘TIS THE SEASON
So, this year we partook of our favorite colonial Christmastides on the days between Christmas and New Year’s…which is historically accurate.
In the 18th century, the days leading to Christmas were religious, saving the festivities for the twelve days of Christmas, starting Dec 26 thru Jan 6.
These days were common for marriages when twas the season for gatherings, which included the weddings of the George Washington married Martha Parke Custis on January 6, 1859.
On January 1, 1772, Thomas Jefferson married Martha Wayles.
We awoke to snow and sleet at our house Wednesday morning and finally left that afternoon to join our friends, Rebecca and Ashley and their parents, who were also in town for the merriment!
WILLIAMSBURG OLD-TIME RADIO HOUR
Then we walked to the Hennage, a time portal on this day to 1920’s Williamsburg, with the stage set with an old-time radio studio!
In most proper fashion to the 1920’s, I wore my new 1920’s cloche hat to help me keep warm on the wintery streets in the historic area.
Anticipation was building as period 1920’s music cheerfully played while a slide presentation showed us how the historic area looked in the days before the restoration followed by a picture of how it looks today.
There were other stores there at one time and we recognized all the store fronts from the A&P to the Harvey Diner which eventually turned to chain stores during the Great Depression.
The radio show referenced many of these old locations.
Then each of the slides showcased each of the performers to help us get to know their background and it was hilarious.
The program pulled in many connective elements that a Colonial Williamsburg visitor could identify with, not to mention tying in to the classic 1920’s radio feel and sound.
The inside jokes/moments were great, like the Martha Washington interpretation that only a CW regular would “get!” Fun!
While the foley artists handled their miscellaneous spot-on noise makers with smooth precision, they contributed their voices and facial expressions to the wonderful line up of great talent on the stage!
The entire package deal was brilliant, well written, well performed, well-choreographed, etc, etc, etc!
After the program my son headed straight to the foley table.
As I walked through the streets of the historic area that weekend, I thought about the photos and sounds of the 1920s at the onset of Colonial Williamsburg’s restoration to its colonial heritage.
MILLINER
The new apprentice tailor very kindly visited with me and my kids and shared costuming ideas with my son!
While there I closely inspected the lovely stitching on these stays, knowing I need to make some for myself for our upcoming Becoming History presentations.
TIN SHOP CONSTRUCTION
One of their latest projects is the tin shop, the wooden frame of which had recently been raised, with their touch of Christmastide greenery at the top.
ILLUMINATION OF THE TAVERNS
Our first night in town we saw the Illumination of the Taverns, on Duke of Gloucester Street.
CAPITOL CHRISTMAS CONCERT
My favorite concerts are with the Governor’s Musick which allowed us in a bit early to warm up from the chill of winter outdoors.
When the musicians entered, they shared that there is much music making during the 12 Days of Christmas, but very little is documented as to precisely what is played specific to the season.
However, they do know which music they could have played.
These delightful pieces were played for us, even a few very old pieces that reflect the birth of the Saviour.
We listened to the harpsichord, viola da gamba, violin, a German flute (I think, but much different than what we are used to today) and a female soprano.
Most of the others also joined her in song.
They played in different combinations, and all took turns featuring their instrument or voice, so we could appreciate the beauty of each one as well as its place in history.
CHRISTMASTIDE AT HOME
And then we met at the cressets in front of the Greenhow Store for Christmastide at Home, a favorite seasonal tour.
ENGLISH COUNTRY DANCE…OOPS!
Patrick Henry asked me to dance!
However, the oh so kind but observant Alexander Purdie was in attendance, and it probably made the gazette, so I might as well own up to it.
Within one dance I had three dancing partners-Patrick Henry, Mann Page and the Reverend!
We were all laughing!
All through the dance we dance with sets of four, dancing a few steps with others but always returning to our dancing partner.
Alas, I took a misstep and found myself with Mann Page, who in great surprise called out, “I may not be a very good dancer, but I have never had two dancing partners before!”
In utter confusion I looked down the row and found my original grand gent dancing with my daughter…so what else was there to do but start dancing with Mr. Page.
His eyes were laughing the entire time!
When we came to the fateful step I did it again…I found myself with a third dancing partner, the reverend from the Continental Army!
This grand gent cried out, “Wow, a second dancing partner”
Man Page exclaimed, “Three dancing partners in one dance!”
Oops!
After the dance, the reverend kindly put his arms around me and his original dancing partner and oh so kindly told us with a huge smile, “I have never had the honor of returning two dancing partners to their seat at the same time!
Meanwhile Mann Page, in disbelief that he lost every dancing partner, because his latest was the other lady the reverend seated, along with me.
When I saw Patrick Henry the next day, I apologized, but he was oh so kind about the matter.
Grandly Mr. Henry proclaimed: Madame, my heart is still aflutter with the thought of dancing with you!
GOVERNOR’S PALACE TOUR
We took a lovely tour of the Governor’s Palace. While in Lord Dunmore’s daughters’ bedchamber, I noticed a dancing booklet.
If only I had this booklet and a dancing master. 😉
CHARLTON COFFEEHOUSE TOUR
We sipped spicy hot chocolate at the Charleton Coffeehouse.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE ROCKEFELLERS AT BASSETT HALL
Then we toured Bassett Hall, styled as it was when the Rockefellers lived in it.
The grandchildren return today and say it is just like it was when they visited as children.
For Christmas, it is decorated 1940’s style.
While Mr. Rockefeller liked the traditional, but Mrs. Rockefeller liked folk art. You will see a sprinkling of both throughout the house.
During the tour the tour guide tells great information about life in Basset Hall, both in the colonial days, and when the Rockefellers lived there.
And then this lovely colonial gown that Mrs. Rockefeller wore to a special event.
Apart from the folk art, much of the 1940’s decor reminds me of being at my grandparents’ house, or even my parents’ house because my mom inherited many things from her parents.
Even the Christmas tree makes me feel like being at my parents’ house.
My infamous fruitcake recipe (which is truly moist and delicious) came from my mom’s cookbook…identical to the Borden pamphlet cookbook in the picture below!
Also my mom had those silver cookie cutters for us to use while I was a little girl. My grandma gave me a cookie press just like the one below. Oh, the memories.
My mom still has a rug like that, lamps like that, buys wrapping paper like that…
I’ve toured Basset Hall before, but it meant so much more after having seen the set in the time of the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg, in the 1920’s/1930’s.
ILLUMINATION OF THE PALACE GREEN
Our last night in town we attended the Illumination of the Palace Green which starts at the Governor’s Palace.
The procession continues pretty much the same as on DOG Street, except there is a bit more intricate opportunity involving marching down the Palace Green then up the streets and back, this time with narration telling about the houses along the Palace Green.
TWAS A MERRY CHRISTMAS TIDE
We had many wonderful one-on-one visits with many of the townspeople: Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, Mrs. Randolph, Alexander Purdie, Mann Page, a soldier who was in an EFT with my son, one of the carriage drivers, one of my son’s friends who is a fifer…and more I’m sure! I hope I don’t forget anyone.
