The kids and I recently returned from Colonial Williamsburg (again).
Burnley and Trowbridge
First stop was to a colonial costume supplier near the historic area, Burnley and Trowbridge.
We got lots of ideas, tips, and supplies for my daughter and myself (to sew historically accurate stays) and buckles for my son (military stock, breeches, and garter).
Then we left for the historic area but my GPS couldn’t find it.
Honest-lee this gadget must be a traitor.
Thankfully I’ve established one or two bearings in Williamsburg, so I found the historic area in due time.
Rushing to the Lumber Store we obtained reserve tickets to see Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry debate at the Kimball Theater!
Chatting with the shoemaker
I saw the shoemaker who smiled and said: Welcome home!
Laughing I replied that the tailor is now charging me rent!
Bantering back, the shoemaker laughingly replied that perhaps we should be taxed for the roads, since I use them more than any other guests!
Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson debate religion bill
Since April is Religion Month at Colonial Williamsburg, we came to see some of these special events.
After our trip my daughter will write a report from what she learns for one of her Awana Club assignments!
We watched Thomas Jefferson debate Patrick Henry regarding their differing religious bills before Congress.
In 1784, Patrick Henry introduced a resolution into the General Assembly for a general religious tax assessment, which was supported by members of several denominations. Taxpayers could allocate their money to the denomination of their choice or even to schools and education. Proponents of the resolution sought to support religion in general, rather than a particular denomination, to remind citizens to respect basic ethical principles, such as those embodied in the Ten Commandments. Without these, how could the Revolutionary experiment in self-government succeed? Some of the leading statesmen in Virginia, including Richard Henry Lee, John Marshall, and Washington, supported Henry’s resolution. Most Anglicans and Presbyterians supported the bill. Yet Baptists, Methodists, and Quakers joined Madison and Jefferson in opposing it. Government, they thought, could not force belief. No matter how well-intentioned, it could only force hypocrisy – the false profession of belief. –Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom by Bill of Rights Institute
Touring the Basset Hall gardens
Financier of the restoration of 18th century Williamsburg, John D. Rockefeller purchased Basset Hall for his wife to enjoy when they were in the area.
Since they regularly visited twice a year, April and October, Mrs. Rockefeller worked with gardeners to design the flower gardens to provide seasonal peak blooms during her visits.
The Rockefellers had a keyhole cut in the trees so they could see the flag flying on the Capitol, a very important building in our history.
We also enjoyed the walking trail in the woods.
The horses like it too!
Street Theater
Then we watched the street theater which my daughter enjoys more and more as she’s studies classical literature homeschool studies.
She’s learned about several forms of drama, including street theater, which made everything click for her from her visits to Colonial Williamsburg.
My son is always out and about taking “renderings” of the townspeople while I am analyzing the costumes and absorbing the history.
Visiting the tailor
In between scenes, we visited the tailor.
Who should be visiting him but the shoemaker!
On no! All my creditors in one room! I’m in trouble now! We all laughed!
The tailor shook his head and said, “I am NOT surprised that you are here!”
It was hilarious! Nevertheless, he invited to stay and look at the items and ask questions.
Pink gown attracts fans
That night while eating sandwiches on a bench for dinner, three little girls, all in pink, oohed and ahhed over my daughter’s pink gown.
When they asked where she got it, my daughter said that I made it.
They exclaimed, “That’s homemade!? WOW!”
Since they were so into the gown, and noticing their own pink outfits, I told them about the frills I was going to add on to the gown and they were simply overcome!
It was really fun to watch the expressions on their faces!
Baptist and Presbyterian preachers seek religious freedom
The next morning we walked to the Presbyterian Meeting House to meet with Baptist preacher Gowan Pamphlet, the only African American preacher in America at the time, and Reverend James Waddell, a Presbyterian preacher.
Before the American Revolution, the established Anglican religion had strict regulations for other denominations who wanted to freely assemble.
After talking about their backgrounds, the preachers acted out how the they manage a packed meeting house.
Rev Waddell stood inside preaching to us while Gowan Pamphlet stood outside next to the window.
After every few phrases Rev. Waddell paused while Gowan Pamphlet shouted those phrases to the people outside.
After touring more gardens…
my son got to play fife with the other musicians.
For more photos check my Flickr set.
Comments from my old blog
ontariomom May 7, 2010 at 4:52 AM -My parents took us there when we were kids. Your photo’s brought back a lot of memories. I love your blog it’s so pretty and has a refreshing feeling about it. As a Canadian I love to read about your history. It’s more exciting than my own sometimes. We are still very british over here.
