Monthly Archives: July 2009
George Washington and Benedict Arnold…
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Today Jan and I visited Colonial Williamsburg, and although it was interesting, it was also disappointing in a way.
Colonial Williamsburg street
A lot of the buildings are closed on different days so it’s not possible to see everything on one visit. So, many buildings were closed to us today. Plus, only a few buildings are set up to be toured.
The best one we saw was the home of Peyton Reynolds. Peyton Reynolds was the first President of the Continental Congress and the house dates from the 1720’s.
Peyton Reynolds Home 1
Peyton Reynolds Home 2
Peyton Reynolds Home 3
The interesting thing about this next picture is the table is not fully set. According to our guide, the table would be set with 1 meat dish for each person. So with a table set for six there should be six meat dishes on the table, not just three.
And there should also be six ‘heavy’ desserts on the table. I’m not sure what constitutes a ‘heavy’ dessert.
Is it by ‘weight’, or how it sits in your stomach after you eat it?
Peyton Reynolds Home Dining Table
Also interesting is the windmill. It’s known as a ‘single post’ windmill, because the single post pivot allows the windmill to be turned into the wind for better performance. This windmill was used as a grist mill to grind grain and the blades would have been covered with cloth to catch the wind.
Windmill
We also got to watch a trial reenactment at the Williamsburg Courthouse.
Williamsburg Courthouse
High Sheriff
One interesting thing was that the audience got to participate as jurors, plantiffs, and defendants.
Judge and Jury
Court Clerk
I tried to get Jan to pose in the stocks, but I think she was afraid I wouldn’t let her out.
The Stocks
Also interesting was the Williamsburg Magazine and Armory surrounding by the barricade fence to help protect it from attack.
Williamsburg Magazine and Armory
This building was where the militia’s guns and powder were stored in case of attack.
The Virginia Colony Governor’s House
The Virginia Colony Governor's House
The Bruton Parish Church was interesting, also. It is one of the oldest Episcopalian Churches in America and services have been held here continuously since 1715.
Bruton Parish Church
You could also take rides in authentic-looking carriages.
Carriage 1
Carriage 2
There were also actors protraying famous and not so famous people. Here we have Benedict Arnold, pre-traitor.
Benedict Arnold
Many people don’t realize Benedict Arnold was actually a Revolutionary War hero and won many battles for the Colonies before he went over to the Loyalist side. For what seemed to be political reasons, and perhaps jealousy, he was repeatedly passed over for promotion. This perceived injustice ate at him until he arranged to turn West Point over to the British. But his plan was discovered and he barely escaped capture by George Washington.
And speaking of George Washingto, he was there also, along with his aide de camp, the Marquis de Lafayette. One of the children present asked him if he was President. He said he had no idea what that was, and it didn’t sound like something he’d want to do.
Most of the Colonial Williamsburg experience seems to consist of walking around looking at the old buildings. I think Jan and I both were expecting more.
And when you consider that for the same price we could have gone to Busch Gardens – Williamsburg, I mean, Colonial Williamsburg doesn’t even have any roller coasters to terrorize Jan on.
Bummer!!!
Tomorrow we’re going to see Jamestown Settlement and the Yorktown Battlefield.
Maybe they’ll have roller coasters.
Later…
