Seeing the Sights: Colonial Williamsburg

Oh, hi, there. Long time, no see. Yesterday, I did some touristy things, and though I'd quickly share what went down, since this "Travel Blog" hasn't experienced my last handful of travels with me.

So, I'm in Virginia for the week, and Williamsburg seems like it's THE place to hit up while in the area. It's definitely a good place for those with an interest in history (esp. American) and politics. *raises my hand*

First Stop: Lyft to Williamsburg. √ (pre-soak in sunscreen)
Second Stop: Acquire tickets. √ We used a ticket machine because the ticket lines were long, but no one was at any of the ticket machines.
Third Stop: Info desk to hear about the mysterious "First Timers" map. X It's a lie. But she did give us some pro-tips and suggestions.
Fourth Stop: Reapply Sunscreen

Your typical colonial backyard, complete with British POW (not pictured).

All right, now we're ready. We took a loop around town in the shuttle bus (so convenient) to get the lay of the land, and got off at Market Square so we could walk Duke of Gloucester street before the sun rose too high in the sky and killed everyone. Overall, more cars than expected. While the main drag is pedestrian only from 8a-10pm, it's surrounded by streets that hustle and bustle. I'm still looking at satellite maps to figure out how it fits into Modern Williamsburg, because it is does seem to be two-ish streets, amid the 21st century. It was interesting to hear how the Rockefellers found a typical small town in the 1920s and 30s and over the course of decades turned back the clock, rebuilding old structures, taking down power lines, and were very involved in the reconstruction of the 1770s (the town operates in the year the Virginia House of Burgesses have decided to separate from the British Crown). It's created a tourism bubble filled with costumed employees, only a few of which are characters. AND employees can live on the property, which seems pretty cool.

1. Public Armory/Tin Shop:

• The Tin Shop was one that really illustrated the difference between characters and costumed employees. The woman mid-teapot-construction explained the types of things soldiers needed the tin shop to make, and how they were constructed. She used traditional methods, but also incorporated how those materials had been altered to fit OSHA standards (because no one wants to spend their days breathing in lead fumes). With most displays, a costumed individual gave information that was period appropriate, and some that wasn't. The costume is the uniform, they're not "time-traveling." Definitely interesting.
2. Peyton Randolph's House
• So, now I know a bit about Peyton Randolph, a prominent Virginia who dies the year before revolution. Bummer. Speaker of the House, President of the First Continental Congress, elected president of the Second but dies before it starts... making way for John Hancock. 
3. Stockade



I stole a horse... or something. Photo credit to my mom.

4. M. Dubois Grocer 
• Emergency ice cream break, because its still hot. I had orange... orangesicle? Hard to tell. Reapply sunscreen.
5. Rockefellers' Basset Hall:
• We ended up getting a private tour of the Basset Hall, and the introductory video illustrated how Colonial Williamsburg came to be, thanks to time and $$ (68 mil) from the Rockefellers, who purchased property and spent many weeks of their year at this quiet retreat where few knew who they were. They picked up furniture and art odds and ends, not caring what matched, or if they knew who was in the paintings. The small Basset Hall wasn't special to them because it was grand... they had five houses after all.

• 

  Study of John D. Rockefeller, Jr. The room is designed around the painting above the fireplace.

6. Stage discussion of religious freedom with James Madison, George Mason, and Thomas Jefferson
• This was a recommendation from the information desk, and it was a pretty well attended event. These founding fathers discuss religious freedom in Virginia in the 1770s, and debate what it should mean in the future. At the time, you can practice whatever religion you want-ish, as long as you pay church taxes and attend a Protestant service once a month. But the issue has been brought before Virginia's several times, and they don't want change. Complicated. 
7. Governor's Palace
• Of course, colonial Virginia is run by a Royal Governor appointed by the King. The most prominent is Lord Dunmore of Scotland. He's got an impressive house to send subtle signals to the gentry, naturally. Because who doesn't. Why'd we move away from bold colored walls in houses, again? 



Backside, from the garden

8. Chowning's Tavern Garden
• Emergency root beer stop at a tavern... which was packed, so we went to the garden in the back. Remember, it's still hot. And humid. We did peek inside to use the restrooms. 
9. Capitol
• There was a 22-year-old (presumably) college student giving this tour, who was enthusiastic and impassioned about Virginia's history, its impact on the founding of the United States, and the responsibilities of each citizen. Much of the discussion in Williamsburg centers around the Declaration of Rights, a precursor to the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. The House of Burgesses worked to redefine what constituted a "right" rather than a "privilege" under a changing system. 
• The capitol itself burned... several times. And in 1904 a stone marker was placed on the site, until in the 30s and 40s the Rockefellers rebuilt the dual-turret structure. The only original item is the Speaker's chair of the House of Burgesses.
• The elected House of Burgesses (such a cool name) and the appointed Governor's Council make up the legislative branch. The Royal Governor is the executive. And the General Court of the judicial branch is made up of justices from the Governor's Council, and the Royal Governor acting as judge. There are juries, in which five people are allowed to personally know the defendant. Obviously, this system was changed as Virginia and the U.S. moved forward. 



In the "room" where the Declaration of Rights was debated by a committee of 37.
King William's portrait is in the background. He's a big deal. 

We didn't do everything, but we hit the big stops. And it was hot. An interesting, educational, and enjoyable way to spend the day. AND! No one was sunburned! √√