VA Trip - Colonial Williamsburg Pictures


The gatekeeper at the governor's palace. There were many interpreters at Williamsburg in period clothing.	The old style split rail fences were common at Colonial Williamsburg.	The cupola at the top of the governor's palace. Thomas Jefferson viewed Williamsburg from here!	The gardens behind the governor's palace were nicely kept, but rather simple and plain.


The gold covered crest above the back door at the governor's palace.	The cellar at the governor's palace. Many types of dried foods and beverages were stored here.	The governor's palace from the "Palace Green". This was definitely the rich part of town!	The stable outside George Wythe's home contained several period pieces of equipment and tools.


An 18th century carriage. (Also at the George Wythe stable).	The kitchen at the George Wythe house contained samples from the meals of the well-to-do.	The interpreter at the Wythe kitchen. The kitchen was a separate building from the house.	The most surprising thing about the interior of the house was how the walls were brightly covered!


Most of the buildings contain some original and many period pieces of furnishings.	George Wythe was the first law professor, and the the first signer of the Declaration of Independence!	George Wythe played a very important part in Thomas Jefferson's life.	We interrupted our tour of the Wythe house to take a carriage ride around town.


Colonial Wiliamsburg contains most of the trades and buildings needed to sustain an 18th century town.	An area set aside to show and talk about common colonial trades.	The streets are filled with fully restored colonial homes. As you can see the weather was perfect!	The magazine contained arms and gunpowder. Later, we went inside.


The courthouse. Brad and I participated in mock trials later in the day.	Our carriage driver was a big fellow -- standing about 6' 9".	After the ride around town, we went back to the Wythe house. That's Brad at the door.	We were surprised to see wall-to-wall carpet from the 1700's in the Wythe house. (Most floors were plain wood boards).


After the Wythe home, we went over to the Bruton Parish Church. Many early presidents attended church here.	The bell in the tower of the church was cast at the same foundry as the Liberty Bell.	There were hundreds of old graves outside the church. Many clearly dated back to the 1700 and 1800's.	Keith standing outside the church under a tree. The fall colors were all around.


The pulpit inside the church was designed with a sounding board to carry the minister's voice.	The church is one of the main buildings in town. Church attendance was mandatory for the colonists!	Inside the Geddy home, we saw a harpsichord made by craftsman at Williamsburg.	The interpreter at the Geddy home told us about the daily life of the silversmith and watchmaker.


The lady spinning outside the Geddy home was a master story teller!	This device, called a weasel, is where the phrase "Pop goes the weasel" comes from!	A craftsman working in the shop behind the Geddy home and storefront.	After lunch we headed down toward the courthouse. Here are the stocks beside the courthouse.


Here's Brad coming in the courtroom to observe the mock trials. Keith was secretly hoping Brad would be picked as a defendant!	Here's "hang 'em all" Keith sitting as one of the justices. The Chief Justice didn't seem to have much of a sense of humor either.	After the trials, we went across to the magazine. (This picture is a little fuzzy because we had to take pictures through glass).	The blacksmith shop contained what appeared to be the hardest working men in Williamsburg. I'd hate to be working in this during summer!


The Blacksmiths work with the same tools and methods used in the late 1700's. They were busy making components for a newly restored building.	This blacksmith is making nails from those rods. It took us a couple of times to figure out what he was making!	As the day ended, we made our way down to the capitol building. Along the way, we tried to take in as many sites as we could.	The sign above the Raleigh Tavern. Taverns lined the main street. Those colonial folks were mighty thirsty people!


Part of the display at one of several sites being restored.	The new site was being excavated and rebuilt. The entire location was covered!	The crowd and colonial townspeople gathering at the capitol at the end of the day.	A picture of the main street looking from the direction of the capitol.


Women folk waiting for the Virginia Commonwealth independence reenactment.	After a few speeches and cannon fire, the fife and drum boys played for the crowd!	The music got the crowd going with traditional revolutionary tunes.	Most of the crowd marched back up the main street with the boys.


About half way up, the British boys came to play for the crowd.	Our biggest disappointment was that we didn't plan two or three days for Williamsburg...	We did get to see a lot, but there were many things we missed...	I guess we'll save that for the next trip!