A visit to Colonial Williamsburg is an adventure in time travel. Once you leave the parking lot you can be anywhere from 1775 to 1781. Between the catalysts for the Revolution and the granting of independence.
Governor’s Palace
The Governor’s Palace that can be toured today sits on the site of the original palace that housed the Governor of the Virginia Colony from 1711 until 1780 when the capital of Virginia moved to Richmond. Williamsburg is located between the James and York Rivers; a vulnerable position in a time of war as it can easily be attacked from both sides. Thomas Jefferson was the last Governor to live in the palace and as you may remember from my Monticello post last year, he was an architect. Jefferson drew detailed floor plans of the home while he lived there and these plans enabled the building to be rebuilt exactly how it was 300 years ago.
Perhaps my favorite story of the Governor’s Palace came when the last British governor, Lord Dunmore, ran for his life from Williamsburg and newly elected governor, Patrick Henry, moved in. The palace was still full of Dunmore’s belongings so Henry had everything brought out onto the green and sold with the profits funding the revolution. America was built with yard sales.
Industry
We spent the rest of our time in Williamsburg exploring shops such as those of the weaver, blacksmith, cooper, book binder, and printer. I even got to run the printing press and make my very own copy of the Declaration of Independence. I was warned that owning this document at this time was against the law so I could be tried for treason if I was caught. We explored the Magazine and learned a lot about colonial weaponry.
Virginia’s Capitol
After lunch in an authentic tavern, we explored the Capitol which housed not only the House of Burgess but also the Council Chamber- 12 colonists with a lifetime appointment via the king. The Council Chamber members along with the Governor also formed the highest court in the land. Sound familiar?
Courthouse
Our final stop was the Courthouse. I had jury duty for the first time last summer. I was worried I might get on a case that would take forever and I would need to be sequestered and miss a lot of work. In Williamsburg the jury convened in a nearly barren room, no food or water was given, and a chamber pot was provided in the corner if needed. Deliberation wasn’t supposed to take a long time. Efficiency was the law of the land.
Reenactment
We ended our day behind the courthouse where Marquis de Lafayette rallied the troops and they marched on to make history at Yorktown.
Colonial Williamsburg
It was a great, but busy, weekend in Virginia’s Historic Triangle. It’s never too late to visit someplace you want to visit. I’m glad that I not only got to see these places, but that I got to drag my family along for the ride too. And it looks like we’ll be going back to Colonial Williamsburg sometime, because guess what I didn’t get to do? Yep. Roll the hoop down the street.
Go. Live.
Find out how I saved $150 on this trip in my post A Penny Saved…
