While in Colonial Williamsburg on our latest visit, we did several unique things.
We met Napoleon, visited the annual Costume Design Center Open House, and visited Bassett Hall…amidst autumn leaves while I debuted my new yellow and white striped gown!
Oh, and guests had their pictures taken with us since we were wearing our proper attire, but that happens all the time, even though I’m not yet used to it. 😉
In fact, I was mistaken as an employee several times.
Since my gown attracted them, it opened conversation where they became interested in purchasing the Queen Charlotte Pearl Drop earrings at the Golden Ball Silversmith shop, and an EFT subscription for a homeschool family.
QUEEN CHARLOTTE PEARL DROP EARRINGS
While taking pictures a lady stopped me to ask tell me all about my pearl drop earrings that are the Queen Charlotte pearl drop earrings sold at the Golden Ball Silversmith shop.
Even though she knew all about them and was very much interested in having a pair for herself but couldn’t commit to the purchase.
Now that she saw me wearing them, she was sold!
She loved how they looked, and she decided that she had to have a pair of pearl earrings for herself!
Well, I guess I can become a model for Colonial Williamsburg, inspiring people to buy what I wear!
BASSETT HALL AUTUMN TOUR
Then we went to Basset Hall for the autumn garden tour.
This is where the Rockefellers, who financed the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in the 1920’s, lived.
Mrs. Rockefeller enjoyed gardens, so she had a gardener design hers to be full of splendor during her April and October visits to her little colonial house.
Therefore, in those months garden tours are offered.
Many of the guests thought we were giving the tour because of our costumes.
MILLINER
In between scenes we visited the Milliner Shop to see their latest offerings.
She is working on a cap and on the table are mitts waiting to be sewn together.
MILITIA
After we left the milliner, my son joined the militia! (gasp!) He’s thrilled that he has recently turned 16, so he’s now old enough to join.
The recruiters say they want men “between the ages of 16 and 60.”
When I asked my son if those ages are inclusive or exclusive, he didn’t know what I meant.
As I recall from my algebra days, inclusive includes the ages of 16 and 60 whereas exclusive excludes the ages of 16 and 60.
He happily insisted that they include the age of 16 and merrily joined.
EFT
On the way out of the historic area, a family who noticed our costumes assumed we were employees, so they asked for directions.
Since they were going to the same place we were, they followed us and we all had a nice talk.
I found out that they were homeschoolers, here for the first time and having such a wonderful time that they were making it the focus of their vacation.
I asked if they knew about EFTs and they didn’t, so I wrote out the information they’d need to subscribe and enjoy it from home year around!
NAPOLEON
The next morning, we were so excited to meet Napoleon that for once we were up, dressed, packed and ready to go earlier than usual!
We were too early, so we walked around the historic area in time to see the daily Parade of Carriages coming down Duke of Gloucester Street.
Finally, the museum was open, so we walked over and enjoyed an excellent tour of a furniture exhibit that had political statements about Napoleon.
While waiting for the Napoleon program to begin we looked at the doll house displays on each side of the entryway opening before the grand staircase.
Then we met Napoleon, himself, who is far more decent than the media attests.
I’ve always wanted to meet him! The emperor was extremely gracious to allow me to ask all the questions I wanted, despite his busy schedule with those more important than myself!
COSTUME DESIGN CENTER OPEN HOUSE
After that we scurried to the Costume Design Center where all the costumes for the interpreters are made.
We got lots of new inspiration for all the ideas I’ve had.
As soon as I saw this hat from the War of 1812 EFT my son was in, I knew my son would want to make one.
In the EFT, General Jackson and one of the British navy men wore hats like this in the very scene my son was in.
GUESTS TOOK THEIR PICTURES WITH ME
After we followed the Fife and Drum Corps to meet Lafayette at Market Square, I was exhausted, so I sat on a bench near the Randolph house and enjoyed the program from there.
One man asked to have his picture taken with me.
After he gave his camera to a friend, he sat next to me and put his arm around me for the pose!
Then other men came by, wanting their picture taken with me too.
AUTOGRAPH
Then a little girl asked if I was a Southern Belle.
Another girl asked me to sign her Colonial Williamsburg autograph book that can be found in the Visitor Center gift shop. (oh dear, what do I sign?)
I need to do some research in case I’m asked to sign another autograph.
I don’t want to take away from what the CW interpreters do but I would like to inspire a child to learn something.
Wanting to find a colonial lady from Virginia who was self-educated and read lots of books like Abigail Adams did, one of the local authors I recently met encouraged me to the perfect answer!
Stay tuned!
