Yesterday we visited the third and final leg of the "Historic Triangle of Virginia" - Colonial Williamsburg. It is located just six miles from our campground, slightly less than Yorktown and Jamestown, the other two legs. Pardon for the picture overload in advance!!
Colonial Williamsburg today is described as a "living history museum" and is privately funded, not part of the National Park Service. It is part restoration and part re-creation of what Colonial Williamsburg VA looked like back in the 18th century when it was inhabited by the British Colonists. It served as the Capital of the British Colony of Virginia from 1699-1776, and then the Capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia from 1776-1780. During the Revolutionary War the center of government moved to Richmond where it remains today. This started a demise of the area as businesses folded. The area really suffered during the Civil War with many of the buildings plundered and burned Restoration started primarily in the early 1900's with the support of many including the Rockefellers and today it serves as a major historic tourist attraction for Virginia along with Yorktown and Jamestown. Also, the area is within walking distance of the College of William and Mary.
Our walking tour is highlighted in yellow, right to left
As we visited we noticed many of the buildings in Colonial Williamsburg were closed and some are only open certain days. We really enjoyed our visit and we enjoyed those that were open. They had knowledgeable re-enactors that were very informative and entertaining. Most people start at the visitor center, parking there and taking a shuttle bus to one of the drop-off points, which we did. We started our walking tour near the capitol (on the lower right) and walked down Duke of Gloucester Street to the Governor's Palace (upper left). We then walked back to Duke of Gloucester Street and continued on, stopped at a tavern for lunch, and then crossed the street and got on the shuttle back to the visitor center. This encompassed about 5 hours start to finish and roughly 7600 steps start to finish. The crowds were not too bad but by the time we finished in the tavern it was packed especially outside and the place was buzzing with tourists, our queue to leave! So here are some pictures.
The beautiful Capitol Building:
The Speaker of the House (of Burgesses) chair behind our re-enactor.
Very ornate, with the coat of arms above the door.
An actual working gunsmith shop. They build guns here using methods, tools and materials that are period-correct.
A gunsmith describing his processes.
The machine used to create rifling in a rifle barrel
The spirals guide the cutting bit to create the "rifling".
Hand tools of the trade
The process of "blueing" which is cosmetic as iron is not heat-treated like steel would be.
Creating a musket or rifle barrel. Starts with a flat piece of iron, is formed into a tube and "welded"
The Secretary's Office:
They built the Secretary's Office to house the important papers and files of the colony. In front is a small graveyard.
They blacktopped the center of the cobblestone streets. Much easier to walk on!
One of many closed buildings.
A shop that made and sold wigs
The Public Armoury - not an Armory! Blacksmith shop, Tin shop, Kitchen, Shoemaker and a wheelwright:
Tin shop creating sheet metal products available for purchase!
Things smelling great in the kitchen!
The blacksmith shop - the coal-fired furnaces were really hot!
Shoemaker crafting leather goods. I believe you can purchase handmade shoes from them!
A wheelwright builds and maintains not only wheels but vehicles such as carts
Marketplace:
A colonial "flea market". Various goods for sale here.
Magazine and Guardhouse:
This magazine dates back to 1715!
Some miscellaneous pictures:
Carriage rides were booked up in advance
Some cross-stitch
Silversmith in the foundry
Doreen and a colonist
The Governor's Palace. More than 30 minute wait for a tour but we were able to tour the grounds on our own:
Massive and beautiful Governor's Palace
Salt house dehydrated meat and prolonged storage
The "Larder", used to store game, fish, vinegar, onions and other food products in a cool,environment
Huge, ornate gardens surround the palace
Headed back:
On the Fourth (today) we plan a quiet day. Since we move tomorrow we will do our regular "day before moving" chores including laundry, cleaning, restocking groceries, filling with fuel, dumping tanks and stowing hoses, etc. We will probably grill out and enjoy the day which promises to be cooler and without rain. There should be fireworks all around us tonight. Tomorrow we pull chocks and move to Richmond VA for the next six nights.
glad you enjoyed this great place! Can't remember the name of the tavern I used to eat at when there but they had the best pumpkin spice bread! Happy 4th!
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