Having a few days to ourselves before we leave for Florida to visit our son means we have time to run errands and take a day trip to Williamsburg, about an hour's drive east of Richmond. Williamsburg was the colonial capitol of Virginia and is the site of The College of William & Mary, the second oldest university in the United States (after Harvard)
Early in the 20th century, the restoration and re-creation of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the largest such projects in the nation, was championed by W. A. R. Goodwin and the patriarch of the Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., along with his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, to celebrate the patriots and the early history of the United States.
Many of the missing Colonial structures were reconstructed on their original sites during the 1930s. Others were restored to estimates of 18th-century appearance, with traces of later buildings and improvements removed. Dependency structures and animals add to the ambience. Most buildings are open for tourists, with the exception of buildings serving as residences for Colonial Williamsburg employees.
Notable structures include the Capitol and the Governor's Palace, each re-created and landscaped as to what is known of their late 18th-century condition, as well as Bruton Parish Church and the Raleigh Tavern. The Wren Building on the campus of William and Mary was one of the first buildings to be restored.
The major goal of the Restoration was to re-create the physical colonial environment and to facilitate education about the origins of the idea of America, which was conceived during the decades before the American Revolution.
Strolling through the Historic District before Christmas is a rare treat. The buildings are decorated with wreaths of greens and fruits and seed pods. Carolers stroll the streets, pausing to sing for the enjoyment of visitors. Hot cider and gingersnaps can be purchased at booths throughout the area and the smell of wood fires creates a cozy atmosphere. We stopped to have a lovely lunch at The Trellis, a well-known restaurant in Merchants' Square.
BTW, that is John standing before one of the colonial restaurants, The King's Arms. He waited tables there as an undergraduate and then served as a wine steward when he returned for law school. I can be seen sharing a bench with a statue of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd president of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence and also a graduate of The College of William & Mary.
I definitely recommend the use of the magnifier to see the details of our day.
I absolutely love going to Williamsburg, yet often take it for granted since I live relatively close to it and visit it often. Love this display you created!
It's been many many years since I was there. It would be great to be able to visit it again, but since both our sons are in the northern part of this great country, it looks like we won't be heading south for a while! Beautiful collage!
I have never been to Williamsburg. Lovely collage with so many interesting scenes. Better hurry and get down here to FL --- it's supposed to rain on Christmas. It's been sunny all week.
