Last week, I promised colonial imagery, and I wasn’t kidding. So pour yourself a cuppa Earl Grey and settle in, because you’re getting colonial imagery.
Mom and I took a little trip to the 18th century last weekend, and it was brilliant! The spring weather was perfect (70 and sunny), the people were lovely, and the town was just charming. We got a lot of ground covered, so let’s do this chronologically, shall we?
Saturday: Williamsburg
We started out our morning bright and early at the visitor’s center when it opened like good Williamsburg tourists, and watched the movie from the 1950s about a fictional colonial family living in 1775. Now I can handle a little kitsch as long as it doesn’t get full-blown cheesy, and at this point I felt like this day could go either way.
Well, as soon as we got to the town, the governor disbanded the House of Burgesses before our eyes, and I was in. You know I love a good piece of site-specific improv theater, and when the entire town is your set piece, you’re taking it to a whole new level. Respect.
So, you know, the governor arrived by carriage to tell those colonists they were NOT going to call their own special day of prayer.
And we all went down to the capitol building to have it out in the public square the old-fashioned way (no tweets involved!).
Things got very heated at this point, and if you saw my Instagram, you know I was having a personal identity crisis deciding whether I would have been a patriot or a loyalist at the time. I know you’re just dying to find out how that resolved itself. At the time I was siding with the part of me that is all traditionalist and anglophile, but then I realized how much I hate taxes and governmental regulation, so I think we can all rest easy that I would have been shouting something about the free market economy. Now that that’s out of the way…
We toured the capitol building next, and saw where the House of Burgesses sat (in this recreation–most of the real buildings burned at some point).
Then we went strolling around town in search of the bakery behind Raleigh Tavern, and discovered these gorgeous tulips (omg I love this place!).
This sweet man baked us some fresh ginger cookies and we had apple cider in the courtyard.
Still hungry, we hit Shield’s Tavern for lunch. It was so cool inside! I really felt like I was in an old tavern back in time. Romantic, right?
Next we explored the town, going into the shops (the handmade jewelry shop, the hatmaker’s shop, etc.) and checking out some colonial sundries. That’s when the fife and drum march started!
The entire town rallied together to stand in their doorways or march through town with them.
(one of my personal favorite moments)
The march ended at the governor’s palace, where these locals greeted us on their afternoon ride.
Then it was tea time! We moved into the mid-20th century to have the most delicious break with tea, champagne, and all kinds of finger foods at the Williamsburg Inn. I was in afternoon tea heaven.
When we came out of the Inn, there was a baby lamb outside! Is this place for real?
Next we toured the governor’s mansion, which was kind of like a small palace. Apparently Jefferson lived here at one point. I’m gathering that VA is all about TJ.
The gardens in the backyard were so lovely–lots of tulip photo opps.
But the fun still wasn’t over! We toured a plantation and got to watch this darling Revolutionary military drill.
This incredible tree, and the fact that it has been in that spot for hundreds of years, was part of the inspiration that led Rockefeller to create Colonial Williamsburg. It’s pretty crazy to think about the historical events this tree has seen.
Next we walked through the adorable modern market area of the real town of Williamsburg, scouted out the best spirit jersey, and peeked in at William and Mary.
We did some modern-day shopping, grabbed a grilled cheese to share from this idyllic cheese shop, and headed to our dance!
After we went to the dance (which was very Pride and Prejudice), we strolled through town on our way home, and the electric lights might not have been period, but they sure were pretty.
Sunday: Jamestown
On Sunday morning, we took a quick stroll through America’s birthplace, and the 17th century. It was wild to think that on that very spot was where the first Europeans started what would become the United States of America.
The information reported documented findings of cannibalism during the starving years, and I had to really think what it must have been like for them to camp out in the wilderness, not knowing where they would get food, to come to the new world. The biggest concern I had that day was that I had to wear my white jeans again because I accidentally brought raw denim that would discolor my new bag.
Pocahontas was here!
This church dates back to the 17th century, and is I believe, the only original structure.
We did some more house-touring, shopping, campus-driving, and brunching in the modern-day town (more on that tomorrow) and called it a great trip!
