Back in Time, as we play tourist again!
April 9-13, 2018
We have spent the better part of a week at Colonial Williamsburg, experiencing life in the 18th century Colonial Virginia, and specifically the weeks leading up to July 4th, 1776. There are over 80 buildings here that are original from that time and probably 100 more that have been built as replicas.

We have talked to dozens of costumed “interpreters” about what their life was like in 1776 Williamsburg, watched many tradespeople do their work the “old fashioned way”, attended several small productons of historic moments, and enjoyed serveral meals in the historic taverns.

This place is amazing! If you have never been here, we highly recommend it!

We have very few photos,

because we were so busy watching, listening, and learning that taking pictures was off our minds! We talked to interpreters about the day in time, as well as their careers at Colonial Williamsburg. We talked to other costumed staff about what it meant to Virginians to choose to support the Boston Colonists against the King of England- it was treason for all who supported separation, it would certainly impact the strong economy that had been established and it would divide families and communities.
One “play” moved us to 8 years after the Revolutionary War and supposed that England had won. The British had a Virginian Plantation owner on trial for treason against England. The evidence was undeniable, of course. Yet the modern day Amerians in the audience, swayed by our school book history and patriotism, deemed him innocent! We had a great conversation with two of the actors after the show about this American point of view of the war.
And, we learned to throw axes- a localized activity that bored militiamen took up to pass the time.
We spent one day at Jamestowne Settlement- the FIRST settled place by English in North America ( not Plymouth, as we were taught in school) in 1607. The settlement suffered through the “starving winter” but 60 did survive and kept the settlement growing. It was only 25 years ago that the any of the orginal fort and buildings were found, as it have been thought that it had been washed into the James River( thus there is a “re-creation” of Jamestown right up the road, that we did not have time to visit). This place is fascinating and the archaeologist’s tour gave us interesting, detailed information about the people that lived here- Capt. James Smith, Pocahontas who married John Rolfe and others.