When I first started planning this trip, I knew I had more things listed than we could possibly do. I started trying to decide what to cut. Since we were going to Monticello and (at that time) Mt. Vernon, I decided to cut Colonial Williamsburg. But as I looked at the driving times, I knew we needed a stop between Philadelphia and Outer Banks so I figured we might as well spend a night in Williamsburg and go ahead and see it. Boy am I glad! This place is amazing!
Even before you get to the historical part of town, the village is fascinating.
We had originally decided to just do the sampler, which lets you into four buildings. But as David looked at the map, he realized there were more places he wanted to see so we went ahead and purchased the full visit. Thank goodness because we wanted to see everything.
This guys smile just lights up a room. He was at the Southern Baptist church, where I learned that it used to be prestigious to have slaves that could read (but not write because they didn't want them to be able to forge freedom papers). It wasn't until the 1800's that it became illegal to teach them to do so. Also slaves intermingled with whites up until the 1800's when segregation was practiced.
The fabric shop.
Well.
The sidewalks all have bumps in them where tree roots have pushed them around.
Many of the buildings are originals and they have all been painted to look like homes of the 1700's.
Automatic door closer. The weight on the chain pulls the gate closed.
I loved the gate to the sheep pasture.
Apparently these particular sheep are rare. They were originally raised in England, but Williamsburg got them from Australia.
The rain barrels were all overflowing because there has been so much rain lately. (It was supposed to rain again in the afternoon, but once again we were spared and had lovely weather.)
There were vegetable gardens all over the place.
Palace Green with the Governor's Palace in the background. (I found it funny how many people asked if we were from New York since I'm pretty sure a New Yorker wouldn't be caught dead in a shirt like this. We love the shirts though!)
Fife and drum corp.
I loved the painted shingles outside each establishment.
I would have loved to buy Baylie one of the dresses, but I knew she'd never wear it again and they were very expensive.
They let the kids lay on this horsehair mattress, which Jalen said wasn't very comfortable. I guess they're quite stiff. And one of the pillows was filled with corn husks. I can't even imagine.
Of course, David loved this little piano.
There was a room where the kids could play Colonial games. They loved it.
The kids played a dreidel-type game.
Coins used in the game.
This puzzle was made up of kings and queens of England. I was hoping it would be sold in the gift shop, but it wasn't.
Dishes. Note that the t-cups were shipped from China and had no handles.
Shoemaker Shop.
People who work in Colonial Williamsburg are given the opportunity to live there so many of the buildings are private residences. The residences are updated with indoor plumbing and climate control, but many don't have kitchens.
We decided to splurge and take a carriage ride. We figured if your going to ride a carriage somewhere, it should be Williamsburg.
Courthouse (I took some pictures from the carriage and later took pictures of the same building while walking, but I'm too tired to rearrange them for this blog post.)
Market Square.
Back side of the palace.
One of the original buildings. The red colored paint was a symbol of wealth.
Pigeon House.
Ox cart.
Front side of the palace.
After the carriage ride, we went to the Weaver's Shop. As a knitter, I found the yarn in here fascinating.
Spinning the wool.
Weaving a tartan. People can commission jobs like this from Williamsburg. This weaver is five years into her apprenticeship.
Note the change before and after the weaving.
I found the variety of cloth fascinating.
Hitching post.
The Courthouse. Later in the day they held a trial for some witches, but we heard it might be a little too intense for children.
The Magazine where the gun powder was stored. The British confiscated the powder here about a month before it was done in Boston, but the colonists here did not revolt like those in Boston. The governor saw this as a sign of future trouble and fled.
In the stocks.
The Bindery. Only very wealthy people owned printed books. Most books were printed uncut with blank pages. The people would cut the pages as they used them.
I should add here that I was very impressed with the knowledge of the workers at Williamsburg. They all actually do the jobs they are portraying. They were also very friendly and kind.
The printing shop.
Steep stairs.
A corset inside The Millinery.
Baby carrier.
Silversmith Shop where we learned how a silver dollar would be cut to make a half dollar, quarter or two bits. ("Two bits, four bits, six bits a dollar" makes more sense to me now.)
Old locks everywhere.
The wig shop was closed much to David's disappointment.
The Capitol.
The Apothecary.
Edinburgh Castle. Not sure what they sold here, but I loved the sign.
The Gunshop.
The Capitol.
Public Gaol - Blackbeard's pirates were held here until they were hung. Escaped slaves and mentally ill people would also be held here.
There were only four cells and they must have been very crowded.
Chains for hands and feet.
The necessary. It still stunk!!
The Capenter's Shop.
Building a new gallows.
Drying tobacco.
The brickyard. Native Americans had left behind piles of oyster shells that the Colonists used to made lime for mortar. This was not a practice used in England, but it had been used by the Romans. Someone in the Williamsburg must have been aware of this practice.
Drying in the sun before being stored for firing later in the fall.
The kilns will be fired up shortly before Thanksgiving.
After the clay has been worked, it will be put into a mold (center of photo). Some molds have a symbol in the bottom that leave an imprint on the brick to show where it was made.
Working the clay.
Gross!
Laying the bricks.
Laying a stretcher.
The bricks have to be level and plum.
This person looked like George Washington, but turned out to be a woman.
Hanging candles.
There was a fun children's game area. Jalen tried out the maze.
We loved this little game so much, we bought one in the gift shop. It's called "Shut the Box." (I could have picked it up cheaper on Amazon...)
Milking.
Playing Grace. You have to use graceful movements to play this game. Consequently, I wasn't that great at it.
Jalen found a little friend and played Nine Pins.
Colonial soccer (the ball is made of fabric).
Teeter-Totter.
This guy was playing a banja, precursor to the banjo. This was actually an African instrument. Slaves were prohibited from drumming and dancing, but they could still play instruments like these. Eventually these instruments were mainstreamed into Colonial life.
Shopping for souvenirs. Baylie bought a quill, ink powder and a penmanship book. Jalen bought a whistle and some good-smelling soap.
Once again, we went until we dropped. I always feel bad that David has to drive while the rest of us sleep. (We actually did a better job of staying up with him this time because we've been listening to Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince during the trip and we are on the final disk.)
We headed for our last stop of the trip - Outer Banks, North Carolina. In Newport News, we passed this place which I found fascinating. I have never seen this much coal - mountains of it.
These massive ships were docked by the coal factories. Apparently Newport News is a major military supplier and also does ship building.
Driving under the ocean.
Driving over the ocean.
We arrived in Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina. Our hotel (while the opposite of fancy) is perfectly located - right across the street from Kitty Hawk and a block from the beach.
I love beach houses.
Because of massive rainstorms, the rip tides are dangerous and street drainage has contaminated the ocean so swimming is not recommended. We decided to just walk on the beach and swim in the hotel pool.
I love Carolina beaches.
I made sure every hotel we stayed in had a pool, but we ended up getting in so late that we never had a chance to swim before today. The kids were super excited to finally be able to swim in a pool. The cold water felt great after a sticky day.
Next up are Kitty Hawk and the Hatteras Lighthouse and then we'll finally head for home.
