Colonial Williamsburg
This part is all modern construction, done to feel old. The shops are very upscale, full of lovely expensive things to admire.
The other part of Williamsburg is the original town with impeccably maintained or restored buildings that for a fee you can tour. I opted out as the buildings are difficult to enter with twins in a huge stroller who might at any moment need feeding or changing. Viewing the outsides was enough. These are typical home of the time, complete with residents.
Gossip over the Fence.
Here is the Governor’s Palace. (Not my term. The people of Williamsburg actually named it thus.)
In this shop I met Benjamin Franklin. This gentleman played the part perfectly in both looks and speech.
He spoke thus. “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” I cannot disagree with this and find it interesting that it remains true.Seeing these gardens, I wondered if they really looked this good in colonial times, but enjoyed their beauty regardless.
Pouring rain caused us to take refuge in this church.
Jamestown
This is a place that I had looked forward to visiting since reading of it as a child. Imagine trying to survive along the coast with wind, rain, swamp and cold. Working to clear land, build dwellings, find food. The Indians were not the smiling folks bearing food to the first Thanksgiving that we always see depicted. A lot of settlers met their end via arrows and hatchets as the Indians were not pleased to have these strange people invade their home.
A tour guide provided us with shocking and humorous insights into the life of a settler.
He told of how John Smith was actually put in irons on the voyage over, as he had angered so many. He also described how Pocahontas would actually have been dressed in a simple skirt of bark and furs and nothing else.
These are digs recently opened and interesting things are being found. A new museum opened and offers insights into colony life, with one of the finest displays I've seen.
This burial site is also a recent find, and the actual skeleton of one young man is on display in the museum. Forensic scientists determined he died of a musket ball to the leg. I didn’t take a picture as it seemed inappropriate for a reason I couldn’t quite name, since I firmly believe that our bodies are simply vessels we leave behind.
These are original discovered and dug out walls and/or foundations. I was surprised at the small size of these homes - most of which were about the size of modern day living rooms! These people understood the need to live simply.
As I departed Williamsburg airport, heading for Kentucky I took a last look at history.
