With anticipation we took the nature path from the visitor center to Colonial Williamsburg, after reading the time travel signs on the bridge leading us to the 18th century.
Royal Governor’s Palace Tour
Soon as we enter the historic area, we see the beautifully grand Governor’s Palace that we toured first.
After reading so much history in school we sensed the powerfulness of the grand entryway.
Home to many royal governors who directly answered to King George, this beautiful palace replicated manor houses in England.
Meanwhile the capitol was merely on the other end of Williamsburg, a quick ride for the governor in the royal carriage.
Palace Becomes Home to Virginia Governors
After Virginia broke from England, the palace became home to Virginia governors, first of whom was Patrick Henry.
When we were in the upstairs bedrooms, the kids had fun looking out of the window of Patrick Henry’s daughter’s room.
At least according to the book we read, it was the one overlooking the Palace Green.
The next governor, Thomas Jefferson, lived there until he moved the Capitol to Richmond.
Since Williamsburg is surrounded by the deep James and York Rivers that lead to the Chesapeake, Virginia’s capitol should be safer from the British further inland in Richmond “at the fall of the mighty James” as Patrick Henry would say.
Touring the Palace Green
On our previous trip in 2004, we toured all the buildings near the Palace, hanging out near the Palace Green most of the day, eventually making our way to Duke of Gloucester Street, in order to see everything most efficiently in our 3 days.
However something new to see was Revolutionary City so we headed for that.
As we left the Governor’s Palace, we past by one of my favorite houses in town, the Robert Carter III House.
Conveniently located next to the Governor’s Palace, Councilor Carter easily met with the royal governor on many an occasion.
Along the way we saw a team of red devon on the Palace Green, which just thrilled my son, who studied this 18th century breed at the Colonial Williamsburg website for a science lesson while we studied the era last spring.
Capitol Tour
Arriving early enough for Revolutionary City, we had time for a tour of the Capitol.
Meeting in the capitol were Virginians, some who served as burgesses (the lower house) and the Governor’s Council (the upper house).
The tensions between the burgesses and the royal governor that were explained here, were later played out on in the street theater we were about to experience.
Revolutionary City: Street Theater Immersion Experience
Excited about becoming part of the 18th century through the street theater experience, we couldn’t wait to see our history books come alive.
Since there are 3 key days that rotate through the week, I planned our vacation to hit these appropriately.
Our first day was on Monday, which focuses on vignettes of the various people of the era from 1775 to 1793. (Only Mondays have this vignette experience.)
As we stepped out of the Capitol tour, we entered the Duke of Gloucester Street to a crowd of guests where historical interpreters filled the streets for a sudden history immersion.
Horses and Carriages bring Street Theater Alive
One of the biggest delights were the horses employed in the street theater.
To our surprise a herald quickly rode up to the Capitol, loudly announcing the arrival of Lady Washington! (1777)
Then more horses pulling a carriage that stopped to allow Lady Washington to step out and greet the town. Her first father’s husband lived in Williamsburg.
Pastor Gowan Pamphlet – A Free Man
Another favorite scene told the remarkable story of Gowan Pamphlet, in 1793, a preacher for the black Baptist Church.
He gleefully announced that he received his papers of freedom and that his church was being accepted with the other Baptist Churches.
Learning how to read from the Bray School when he was younger, he was a literate preacher, as evidenced by the Bible he carried with him and knew well.
He even chose his last name because of a pamphlet that inspired him.
Governor’s Palace Gardens
After Revolutionary City culminated, we sat under the trees of Raleigh Tavern, watching the hustle and bustle on the street while we ate our lunches.
Then we took our time to see some of the buildings and trades.
Since the kids wanted to do the maze, we returned to the Governor’s Palace to enjoy the gardens.
My son is waving to me from the center of the maze. The hill on which I stood to take the picture has an icehouse underneath!
Colonial Costumes for my Children
At the end of our last trip to Colonial Williamsburg, my daughter implored me for a colonial costume for our next trip.
Keeping that in mind as I sewed her colonial costume for our recent 18th century history presentation, I asked my son if he’d also like to wear his costume on our upcoming trip to CW.
He wasn’t interested. Knowing my son, I suggested we pack his costume, just in case he changed his mind…which he did at the last minute.
When we dressed for the day, my son enthusiastically donned his costume.
Learning Courtesies
After running through the gardens, the maze, crossing the bridge over the pond and checking out the kitchen, we walked to a nearby shop for some ice-cold refreshment.
Soon afterwards, an interpreter walking by noticed the costumes, so he taught them their “courtesies”.
This is where we get the word, “curtsy” today.
Extending their legs in their “courtesy”, allows gents to show off their great calve muscles, proving that they ride horses and are therefore men of wealth.
Playing Colonial Games
Then the interpreter invited them to play colonial games.
Colonial Basketmaker
A visit to the basketmaker allowed my son to examine a properly crafted basket, as compared our challenging basket project last spring.
George Wythe House
At our tour of the George Wythe house, we learned of Thomas Jefferson’s training as a lawyer. Later Wythe signed the Declaration of Independence, famously written by his former pupil.
Thus my kids to got to practice their penmanship with quills and ink after the tour, in the manner Jefferson.
Leaving an impression on my son, he purchased proper supplies at the Print Shop with the spending money my parents had gifted him for the trip: a clay inkwell, parchment paper, quill, stamp with his initial, ink and perhaps more.
Then we toured the Geddy House, where we learned about the silversmith trade.
Behind his house is a foundry, which we explored.
Mark Catesby 18th Century Watercolors
In the yard my kids were lured into the watercolor paintings of Mark Catesby.
Seen hanging on the walls of many of the buildings in the historic area, these watercolors of Mark Catesby were painted while he explored the plant life in Virginia in the early 18th century.
Copies of his prints were available for the children to choose to paint for themselves.
Carefully mixing shades to get the right shading, my artistic son enjoyed this project immensely.
Dreaming of a Colonial Williamsburg Life
While they painted under the welcome shade trees, I sat listening to the clip clop of horses’ hooves in the serene setting overlooking the shady Palace Green.
What if…we lived here? Wouldn’t it be neat to live in one of the colonial houses, everyday the 18th century a view from a window away?
I’d love to restore a garden to 18th century manner…
I’d love to blog about 18th century life here…
Oh, the ideas!
Meeting the Tory Tailor
As the end of day neared, so historical interpreters encouraged my costumed children to visit the milliner to show off their proper attire.
Excitedly the kids set forth, especially my daughter.
Instead of the milliner, we met the tailor who was busily answering peppered questions from the many guests crowded into the room.
When asked about the different fabrics, the tailor pulled out various samples from the shelves, explaining which ones were for gentlemen and which were for ladies.
Eventually the crowd dwindled down to simply us, enrapt by every word.
Discussion turned to the tailor’s unique attire.
Dressed in an Eastern-influenced turban, robe, and slippers, the tailor explained it was especially popular for 18th century gentlemen to wear at home on relaxed evenings.
Besides this clothing style, other Eastern influences found in the historic area are bridges, fences and railings, paintings, plates, and furniture.
Because the Dutch imported these items from the Far East to England, the colonies could then attain them from England through mercantilism.
Homes of influence purchased these items to display their wealth.
My kids Discuss John Singleton Copley with the Tailor
In fact, there was a famous painter from Boston during this time who had painted many influential people of American dressed like this. Had we ever heard of John Singleton Copley?
Oh, my son excitedly replied: We read all about him last spring! The famous painting of Paul Revere holding a silver urn was done by Copley! (Many thanks to America’s Paul Revere, written by Esther Forbes, blogged about here.)
The tailor was impressed!
Going to the back room then quickly returning, the tailor laid his Copley art book on the worktable to show various pictures of people wearing the Eastern-influenced robe and turban, as shown on the front cover.
My son asked if he could look through the book, which the tailor allowed.
Carefully turning the pages my son found the Paul Revere portrait.
Since the tailor was of Tory leanings, he said even though his politics didn’t agree with my son (a patriot), at least they had a common bond in knowing the works of Copley!
And then we realized we had stayed long past closing time. Certain the tory tailor wanted to go home, we profusely thanked him for a great time and went on our way down the Duke of Gloucester Street.
Eating Dinner at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, George Washington’s Favorite
As the sun began to lower in the sky we walked beyond the Capitol to Christiana Campbell’s Tavern for dinner.
Coming to our table were the colonial musicians and other costumed interpreters to engage with my children, raving about their costumes.
They asked my son if he was going into a trade or higher education. Oh, higher education, definitely.
How old was my daughter? Fifteen? Oh, she was of marrying age! My daughter giggled about that!
George Washington long ago wrote about the wonderful seafood he had in this tavern, and we quite agree!
Wanting fresh seafood while near the Atlantic Coast, we enjoyed shrimp, scallops, and cod.
They were delicious, much better than any I’ve had anywhere else! They were very light, plump, and fresh.
After our meal the waitress gave our children souvenir pins, while I got a pamphlet of their recipes.
Colonial Homes in Evening’s Dusk
Leisurely walking down the back roads of the historic area, we found a more pastoral setting from other parts of the town.
It is so quiet and peaceful back there.
We just took our time enjoying the sites and taking pictures
From the high bushes emerged a properly dressed 18th century gentleman heading to an apparent engagement (those hedges remind me of the cornfield in Field of Dreams, but 18th century style).
Meanwhile we watched colorful birds playfully hop along the rippling brook, too quick to capture by photography.
Sigh. I wish I was still there. Can we just live here? Where will the path lead us?
To view more pictures from our day, click here to access my Flickr set.
