Day 18 Williamsburg

Great start to the day to have Cliff show up at our door! We had a leisurely breakfast and email check and we were off to ask for advice from the front office of the campground on the best plan of attack (no pun intended!) for Williamsburg. When we checked online we could see that we could get day passes and three day passes and some things required a pass and others didn’t?? The lady at the front desk was not only helpful in planning but if we bought the tickets here we received a significant discount! Armed with our three day pass and an armload of literature we set off.


Ready to go into the Visitors Center at Colonial Williamsburg.

From the moment we arrived we were impressed (I think gobsmacked was the word Cliff used) at the organization and presentation of this Colonial town. The visitor’s centre provides a parking place, an overview, reservations for things like dinner, etc., and a shuttle bus to get you into the village. They even provide a costume rental in case you really want to get into the experience! On arriving the first thing that stands out is the effort that has been directed toward creating an authentic experience. The town has been re-created down to the last nail. I mean that quite literally. The local blacksmith has provided the nails to build the homes and businesses to look as they did during the 1700s. Looking at the flooring in the buildings and on the porches, the hand forged nails are clearly visible!

 

Beautiful little homes in town.

Town folk led us through the buildings, performed re-enactments and went about their daily business.

The town is inhabited by 1000 people in full Colonial garb who guide you through while in character. One of our early stops remained one of my favourites -- we stopped at the coffee house just besides the capitol building. A woman sat with us on the porch while we waited for our turn to tour and answered our questions and chatted about life in the town. From the moment the shop keeper greeted us at the front door with a welcome we were transported centuries back to a time when the local coffee house served a social and political service along with the tea, coffee and chocolate. In fact Charlton Coffee House was the scene of the organization of the 1765 resistance of the British Parliament Stamp Act. As we moved from room to room discussing the value of the establishment we were led ever closer to the front room where we were greeted by the lady of the house who was quite a character and served the most delicious hot chocolate I have ever tasted! While the lady of the house regaled us with tales of the day and gossip of the town we could see that there was quite a commotion brewing in the street outside when the door burst open and a gentleman rushed in looking for the proprietor. We were hustled outside to watch as a political debate took place in the street when a rider rode through to deliver a message to the governor that told of a British attack in Boston that had many of the townsfolk in a flap! The politics of the day was discussed and debated in various venues throughout the day giving a great sense of the influences of the time.

 

The Charlton Coffee House parlor.

The hilarious Mrs. Charlton joining us for chocolate and some gossip

Charlton being delivered a Revolution message.

A slave watching the re-enactment in the street and muttering to himself that he is staying out of it!!!

 

Wandering in and out through printing shops and apothecaries, milliners and general stores, revealed life at the time for local citizens. We stopped at the local tavern, Chowning’s, to enjoy a delicious lunch. Ale and hardy fare provided sustenance for our afternoon travels and explorations and it soon became evident that even our three day pass would not allow us to see everything this charming town has to offer.

 

A basket weaver, not a trade at the time. Every household wove their own baskets.

There seemed no end to the beautiful houses and gardens.



A tour of the local courthouse that dealt with common misdemeanors was a surprise! I was shocked at how much it reminded me of the Whitbourn Courthouse where Dad held court for years. I  should also be ashamed, as the daughter of a judge, not to have known that "standing before the court" originated with the fact that there were no chairs for the public or accused. When a case was called, the accused "stood" before the judge! I guess I just never thought about it!

I know from our visit to Boston that this establishment is an ale house!

Waiting for lunch.

Our entertainment at lunch.

My ale flight!

Getting around town.

When a headstone is in the way of where you want a bench, there is always a way!

The heat and the 10,000 plus steps we travelled had us looking to head back to the trailer but not before we took advantage of stopping by the governor’s palace. After all, George Washington himself was speaking in the palace gardens! This was a man who really knew his history. The format was question and answer. People in the audience asked everything from battle details to political motivations and he responded with confidence and passion! The most interesting part of the presentation though was as one man asked a question; I turned to Cliff and mentioned the man sounded like George Consitt, another Principal with Dufferin-Peel. I turned to look at the speaker and it WAS George Consitt! Funnier yet was when he looked over and saw me. At that point I was sitting next to Cliff who of course George also knows. I watched the confusion on his face and later, when we introduced David and Liz, we shared a laugh over George not being sure what to make of seeing the two of us together! And that is how rumours start!!! Hilarious!

Back at the trailer for happy hour, enjoying the air conditioning, we shared a meal together and played games and chatted until out last shred of energy was gone!