And then we arrived in beautiful Virginia where the weather proved much better than our last trip!
EN ROUTE TO COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG CHARM
Enjoying a picnic lunch at a roadside overlook from I-64, we admired the Blue Ridge Mountains.
2004 – KOA KAMPING CHARM
In 2004, when my kids first visited Virginia, we KOA camped in Kabins located in Williamsburg to tour the Historic Triangle, Spotsylvania to tour Mount Vernon and Washington DC, and Charlottesville to tour Monticello.
After happily busy days of walking and exploring, we returned to swimming pools and cooking over a fire, when possible.
Since we were chased with three different hurricanes, most of our outdoor Kamping fun occured in Williamsburg which was our favorite KOA site.
2008 – LORD PAGET MOTOR INN
This year we planned our Colonial Williamsburg trip around an iconic 1950s motor inn: the quaint Lord Paget Motor Inn, located at 901 Capitol Landing Road, built into multiple hills with various elevations. (I love hills on a single property!)
How about that Colonial Williamsburg style well!
Built in 1952, the Georgian features made us feel as though we were in Colonial Williamsburg, less than a mile away.
Crossing this Governor’s Palace-like bridge from the motor inns, we walked to the cute colonial building every morning for breakfast.
When not busy touring, we could play putt putt golf on this greenway our swim in the pool surrounded by iconic colonial boxwood bushes between this bridge and the breakfast house.
Beyond the bridge in the above photo, is a pond reminiscent of the one at the Governor’s Palace, which often stored fish until needed by the palace cook.
Likewise, this pond is stocked lake for fishing. (another pond view seen in blog post header)
Like this motel, many others in the area evoke 1950s lodging with miniature golf, swimming pool, entryways to each room from the parking area. Check out this vintage postcard of the swimming pool!
Also check out this vintage brochure!
WILLIAMSBURG’S BOOM OF 1950s MOTOR INNS
Part of the charm of Williamsburg is all the motor inns from the 1950s.
While Colonial Williamsburg was restored through the 1920s-1930s, President Eisenhower’s highway system of the 1950s more easily brought Americans from far and wide to the home of our country’s history.
1989 STAY AT VINTAGE MOTOR INN ON RICHMOND ROAD
On my first trip to Virginia, in 1989, we arrived in Williamsburg via Richmond Road after visiting Virginia’s state capitol.
As we entered town, we pulled into the first cute 1950s motel on our right.
Looking a lot like the Princess Ann Motor Lodge, it was white, with a swimming pool in the center of the surrounding units.
I think the grand admin building was in front of the pool.
In a U-shape around the office were the motel units, in front of which we parked.
We had the end unit on the right, facing the motel.
Across the street was a larger motel/hotel, more expensive, not as charming.
Needing to be cautious with our budget, we opted for vintage charm.
As we drove further into town to Colonial Williamsburg, I discovered many more 1950s motor inns with similar layouts.
1989 TOUR OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG
I remember enthusiastically hopping in the car every morning, turning down Richmond Rd onto Lafayette Rd to arrive at a parking area off the historic area.
That Lafayette, he’s everywhere!
Entering town, we heard the boom of cannons greet us as the militia practiced their formations.
I was so geeked out and thrilled to finally be in a place I first saw on tv as a little girl: an 18th century town that’s alive every day!
The streets of the historic area abounded with 18th century people sharing their lifestyles with the many guests.
In front of the Greenhow Store, we listened to an 18th century man talk about how tobacco is grown, how it’s packed in the hogshead (barrel) that was in front of us, and how it was rolled to port in Yorktown for shipment to England.
While we walked up the street to the Wythe House, we followed an 18th century girl leading a red devon to the Wythe barn, where she did the milking.
All day we enjoyed the soothing sound of horses clip clopping through town whilee pulling carriages.
That afternoon we met a lemonade vendor on the corner near Christianna Campbell’s Tavern, offering a refreshment of lemonade and cookies fresh from the tavern oven.
While visiting the Powell House up the road from Christianna Campbell’s Tavern, we met Mr. Powell who talked about building the steeple of Bruton Parish Church.
Then I met Mrs. Powell, who was sketching designs for her new gown, to take to the mantua maker, nearby on Duke of Gloucester Street.
Through the window, we saw a fine looking gentleman arrive to speak sweet-nothings to the Powell’s daughter, sitting in the garden.
And on and on the week went.
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG DREAMS
On this trip we were saddened to learn that we could not book a tour of Carter’s Grove Plantation.
Although that opportunity was offered to us in 1989, I feared we wouldn’t have time to see all the town on our short visit.
This time, I couldn’t wait to see its beauty, but the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation was in the process of selling it.
As we drove back to Texas, I dreamed of one day living in Colonial Williamsburg…of the wish I could buy Carter’s Grove to restore to a colonial historic site…and the dream of also purchasing the Lord Paget Inn to completely restore and remodel (because it was SO broken down inside the rooms, etc) while keeping the colonial 1950s charm.
Alas, I had not the required finances for such a dream.
EPILOGUE
Although purposely sold to a proper buyer, Carter’s Grove Plantation fell into greater disrepair inside and out while payments ceased.
While crucial repairs were made by CWF and others in 2013, more problems arose…and I thought the property resold but now I’m not sure.
As for the Lord Paget Motor Inn, in 2011, it was purchased by the city of Williamsburg at only $697,000, despite being assessed at $2,753,000 for 9 buildings on 6.5 acres.
Eventually, in 2014, Copper Fox Distillery purchased the property for $600,000.
In 2017, the owner of Copper Fox Distillery proclaimed:
This was the queen of Williamsburg hotels!” said Wasmund, and it does seem as if it was grand. Through the scrim of construction dust, one can see black-and-white tile in the foyer, big mirrors and a commanding front desk. It’s also clear that its best days as a hotel were behind it. – Max Watman of The Distiller, 2017
