Saturday, after finally finding a house to buy we were free to explore Virginia!
Our first choice was a visit to Colonial Williamsburg to spend the day.
When we packed up our Texas house to move to Virginia, the first thing I packed were the season passes purchased last summer into my purse!
My kids wanted to wear their costumes, but they were still in storage. (Editor’s Note: We found out later they were in storage on Lafayette Boulevard in Fredericksburg, Virginia! Lafayette is everywhere!)
Especially interested to see the April programming which focuses on the topic of religion, I looked forward to listening to Thomas Jefferson speak about his role in bringing religious freedom to Virginia.
Thomas Jefferson
Although known as Deist, Jefferson led Virginia to religious freedom for for those outside the former Anglican church.
After America separated from England, the Anglican church in America became the Episcopalian Church.
Jefferson talked about the Germans, French Hugeunots, Quakers, Baptists, and Jews who came to America to worship freely, yet often times found barriers even in the colonies/new states.
Meeting him afterwards, he detailed a list of a busy mother’s day, running a household.
How could she possibly have time left in the day to teach her children?
Then he looked right at me and said that for a mother to teach her children at home, she’d have to be incredibly knowledgeable.
After a lovely chat with Thomas Jefferson, we meandered through the stunning palace gardens.
Patrick Henry
Soon Patrick Henry would speak at the Hennage Auditorium so we ventured forth to hear the firebrand of the American Revolution.
After Henry talked about the Tea Act, the protest in Boston, and the subsequent closing of Boston Harbor, he took questions from the audience.
My son asked: Is there any truth to the story that you once showed up late to a court case, argued the case against the defendant, then suddenly realized the defendant was his client so you quickly replied, “And that’s what the opposition would say!” They after you defended your client you won the case?
Patrick Henry sheepishly told the rest of the story with great facial expressions and quick wit, while the audience died laughing.
He assured us that he was an excellent lawyer, could win any case, and if we ever needed legal advice, he would be at our service.
Then he “thanked” my son “a lot” for bringing up “that” memory. =)
Spring Gardens
After lunch we walked through the gorgeous spring gardens.
Street Theater
We ended the day by watching their street theater program called Revolutionary City: Collapse of Royal Government which reenacts history up to May 1776.
Patrick Henry, one of the burgesses, kindly greeted us before the action started!
Perfectly suited to the lovely spring day, the gowns were perfectly coordinated.
Ahhh…what a wonderful day. Already looking forward to another trip through the time tunnel…
