Last weekend we left the Tundra (otherwise known as Northern Virginia) to head south to Colonial Williamsburg for President’s Day Weekend.
More snow!
Guess what? They got snow for the third weekend in a row! Thankfully it was not a blizzard.
Capitol venue of the Virginian Presidents
In the warmth of the Capitol we moved from room to room to meet with each of the three presidents from Virginia who spent time in this building: Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.
We met them in different time frames, as they reflected on their work within the capitol and the political events surrounding the time frame.
First, we met with Colonel George Washington in 1775, a burgess in Williamsburg.
After sharing a bit about that, he opened the floor to questions. One was about whether a story, where George Washington cracks walnuts with his knuckles, was true.
Washington proceeded to tell us about the deficiency of his teeth, of which he is ashamed.
He told the story of how he used to crack walnuts with his teeth as a child.
Then we went upstairs to meet James Madison who talked to us about his part in the writing of the Constitution.
Then we met with Thomas Jefferson downstairs about his time as a lawyer and Governor of Virginia.
Afternoon assortments
Later we had the difficult decision of choosing between meeting with Patrick Henry or George Washington.
Since it was Washington’s birthday, we attended his program at the Kimball Theater to listen to his time as our first president.
We finished the day with a visit to the tailor where we researched buttons, stocks, and shirts.
and to the milliner to research lovely gowns. The doll house was on display as well.
That evening was cold but lovely…
Governor’s Palace venue of the Virginia presidents
Sunday morning we went to the Governor’s Palace to meet with the presidents again, at yet another stage of their lives.
First we met with General Washington to discuss the need for ratification of the Constitution.
Then we met with Thomas Jefferson. He walked in looking quite elegant.
He spoke to us in French…until he realized we were his fellow Virginians.
Then he welcomed us to Paris. He told us about his time in Paris and about his thoughts on the Constitution for America.
Dragoon demonstration
Then we hurried to see the dragoon demonstration. This was different from other dragoon demonstrations we’ve seen in the past.
Brandishing swords, they demonstrated how to charge through the British line, which appeared terrifying, as it should.
Then one of the dragoons told us about the importance of the care of their horses.
The horse stole the show, though.
While the dragoon pulled out the empty grain bag to demonstrate the need to carry the horse’s food, because they cannot survive on grass alone the horse perked up and looked really cute, while longingly looking at the bag and even trying to reach for it.
One fascinating fact was about the size of dragoon units.
In the American Revolution they were small, I think maybe as large as 100.
However Napoleon would have as many as 10,000.
Trade shops visits
And then we warmed up with visits to the carpenter and the tailor
Market Square venue for Salute to the Presidents
Late in the afternoon we attended Salute to the Presidents.
President Jefferson and President Washington asked my daughter to hold their walking sticks so they could fire the cannons.
While the fife and drum corps played, the cannons fired for all the presidents, grouped according to state.
Kimball Theater venue for the Virginia presidents
That evening attended a special event, Evening with the Presidents.
There was a moderator who introduced each of the presidents: Washington, Jefferson, and Madison.
After introductions, the moderator gave the first question for the men to answer.
Then the audience got to ask questions.
They were interesting and wonderful to hear. Some questions reflected 21st century events.
They even shot great one-liners back and forth which were absolutely hilarious!
My kids and I got all the jokes and comments because of our history studies.
My son had his hand up for a question. The moderator had a big smile and pointed out the young man wearing the regimental uniform and asked him to stand (so all could see) as he asked his question.
Then my son had another question when suddenly an interruption on stage because….I’M NOT ALLOWED TO SAY!!!!!
CW staff asked me to keep the secret…let’s just say my son’s hand flew up again, he was immediately called upon, and he asked a memorable question…because he had been reading his history books about the thing I’m not allowed to blog about.
You’re just going to have to come to see the surprise for yourself.
Ending our weekend with Lafayette and Washington
We stayed through Monday, despite the threat of more snow predictions where we live.
We met Lafayette…
Then we went to the Tucker House and had a great conversation with the birthday guy himself…George Washington!
This was a great way to celebrate President’s Day, talking to each of the presidents from Virginia who also spent time in Williamsburg.
Of that I especially liked seeing them in different timeframes throughout the weekend, as they progressed in their service to America in their lifetime.
Returning to the Tundra
Sadly, it was time to go home.
We drove home in a bit of rain but the clipper that was supposed to dump a few inches of snow on our home shifted further north.
We only saw a few snowflakes coming home.
A week after the first of two blizzards, our neighborhood streets are still full of snow and ice.
Home sweet home at the Tundra.
