THOMAS JEFFERSON
Arriving in time Fri afternoon to see Thomas Jefferson at the Tucker House, we met him in the year of 1811.
He engaged my son (who was wearing his regimental) in a bit of conversation, asking where his regiment was located (Northern Virginia, near Fairfax) and how Mount Vernon was faring
My son replied that the Washington family was faring as best as they could since the general’s passing.
SUBSCRIPTION BALL
While waiting our turn to attend the Subscription Ball, we watched this 18th century real estate agent persistently impress upon one of the citizens of Williamsburg his ardent need to purchase land in the west.
At the ball we also met Stephanie, a blog reader who stumbled upon my blog last year, recognizing us during Prelude to Victory 2010.
In the twilight of early evening, we walked up and down the streets, admiring the lovely wreaths and watching a few houses finish their decorating.
SHIELDS TAVERN
For dinner we enjoyed a merry time at Shields Tavern that offered festive atmosphere and entertainment.
While sitting near one of the candlelit windows, we watched the Fife and Drum Corps march down the street, as we listened to the beat and fifing of their precise soul stirring cadence.
HISTORIC HOMES TOUR
Saturday began the annual Colonial House tour hosted by the local garden club, who decorates a certain number of houses in the historic area, that are actually lived in by employees of Colonial Williamsburg and donors.
Our favorite house was on the Palace Green with splashes of red throughout the house.
Although red is not my favorite color, it was so tastefully done, I found myself scheming how to do the same to my house!
One house was outside the historic area, but only a short walk away.
This is a more recently built house constructed to look like one of the colonial houses, which provided an interesting twist, allowing guests to see how they too can have a modern colonial home.
One of the other CW homes we got to tour was the Palmer House, which decorated thoroughly in Civil War regalia and greenery to reflect the time Civil War officers lived in the house.
TEA AT CHRISTIANA CAMPBELL’S TAVERN
That afternoon we had tea at Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, for which Stephanie and her mother shared a table with us, against the backdrop of the harp.
We learned how to hold our glasses of cider for a toast and what to do with our teacups when we were done with tea.
Choosing our preference for flavor of tea from the fancy tea chest that was unlocked for us, I chose cinnamon.
Three different courses arrived.
First, we enjoyed scones and a sweet potato biscuit.
Next, we enjoyed a variety of tea sandwiches.
Finally, we sampled a course of dainty desserts.
Throughout the meal, our friends Mrs. Campbell and her daughter, Molly, arrived for various interactions.
We also sang Christmas music.
SHUT THE BOX
While walking down Duke of Gloucester Street later in the day, son found some interpreters playing the colonial game, Shut the Box.
Inviting him to join them, they explained that in this solitaire type of game, you roll the dice and flip any number combination makes the total.
Any numbers left becomes your score and play passes on to someone else.
The goal is to have the lowest score possible.
They explained that their lowest score all day was about 21.
My son beat them in round one, scoring about an 11. They were impressed.
Then they offered for me to play but I didn’t do well at all.
After my daughter played, my son volunteered to play again.
One of the gentlemen said if he did that, he’d have to forfeit his previous score!
My son is so good with games, he knew it would be safe for him to forfeit his previous score, I knew that, and his sister knew that…but these interpreters didn’t know that.
With glee my daughter and I watched my son go to work.
The more rounds he rolled the dice, the more numbers he flipped down, the lower his score kept lowering, so he won every single round while besting his own score each time!
My son’s subsequent lowest score was a 4!
Flabbergasted, the interpreters jaws dropped to the ground!
The interpreters probably have no desire to do game night at our house on New Year’s Eve. 😉
CHRISTMASTIDE AT HOME
After dinner, we met other guests at the burning cresset in front of the Greenhow Store to await a costumed interpreter with a lantern to take us through the historic area from the 1770s through 1940s, for Christmastide at Home, the history of the areas Christmas traditions, including Colonial Revival.
AUCTION
With a lovely and warm Sunday, we visited the auction and purchased a few things as Christmas gifts, like Shut the Box…so my son can beat us at home! 😉
This is the place to shop when in the historic area, because the auctioneer will not allow any bids to go too close to store price.
All those who bid receive a ticket for the historic shop with the product, to purchase at the auction’s sale price.
Meanwhile the highest bidder of the auction takes home the item directly from the auction.
ENTERTAINMENTS ON DUKE OF GLOUCESTER STREET
Then we met up with the lady with the chicken that likes to be petted.
That afternoon the streets came alive with crowds awaiting the Grand Illumination, during which we met up with annual singing of the crazy carolers who have a seasonal bargain.
For a penny we can take a peak at the wren.
Last year we struck a better bargain and got to see for free! Ooooo!
This year we were with our friends from A Fashionable Frolick and I think one of them paid the penny.
Well, this year’s bargain allowed all the gals to take a peak because of that one penny!
The man with the box waved me over to join the other ladies and we all took a peek at the wren. Ooooo!
Then they broke out into song…they were singing like dueling carolers.
My son connived Ashley into playing a colonial game with him.
One of the guests came over to find out what they were playing.
Over the course of the weekend many people ended up playing these games with my son.
While attending a Grand Illumination party that evening, my son played games with one of the guests.
All the games my son encouraged others to join him with were from a colonial game book he had purchased at Tarpleys.
I’m sure he convinced many to buy that book.
While we were walking down the street, one of our friends called to the kids so we went over to visit while my son played Shut the Box. 😉
GRAND ILLUMINATION FIREWORKS
That evening we watched the fireworks from our favorite spot to enjoy all three venues: the Palace, Magazine and the Capitol.
LAFAYETTE
On Monday morning we visited with the Marquis de Lafayette, who “recognized’ me as having seen me in the French court dancing with one of the important gentlemen. 😉
COLONIAL REVIVAL WREATHS
Then we spent the rest of the day touring the town to see all the wreaths and taking all the pictures, during which we popped in and out of buildings.
PLAYBOOTH THEATER
One of our favorite visits of the day was to the Mary Stith house for the Actor’s Trunk, where we can learn all about theater history of the 18th century.
After some time at the Actor’s Trunk, we walked about to see some more wreaths.
Later, my son heard a fifer, our Playbooth Theater history favorite, and wanted to go over to visit with him.
He entertained us with many songs and even had us sing with him.
He is so full of information that I always enjoy listening and learning and even asking questions ranging from music to theater.
COLONIAL REVIVAL CANDLELIGHTS IN HISTORIC AREA AND ACROSS VIRGINIA
Sadly, it was time to return home.
As dusk fell, the candles in the windows in all of the colonial buildings of the historic area illuminated.
Leaving the past, we drove through the 21st century, driving past many more homes in Virginia, some with modern lighting yet many more with the Colonial Williamsburg style of candlelit windows and greenery on the door and windows.
As we drove into our neighborhood it was if a Grand illumination had taken place there.
Every home seemed to be lit, from modern strings of lights to the Colonial Revival style of candles lit in windows.
It is nice that so many have embraced the charm of Colonial Williamsburg.
