In the past three years I have realized just how much I enjoy places that make history real and alive. I really want to be Miss Frizell and I really do want to have access to a magic school bus. Short of that, I wish that I could take my fifth graders to Colonial Williamsburg on a trip. On over 300 acres, CW includes the town of Williamsburg and Great Hopes Plantation. Some of the buildings are originals others are re-creations, and the whole area emerses you in the mid 1700’s. Re-enactors at Williamsburg staff the taverns and shops, populate the streets and frequently break into “spontaneous” street theater.
I watched as citizens of Williamsburg met on the green. In the ensuing conversation I learned from “the locals” that first the British governor had removed the fire locks from the guns in the magazine, and just last night had taken all the powder. The Governor had the powder transferred to the ship Magellen which was in the harbor. Citizens were up in arms, and one fellow, Captain Innis, actually challenged the Governor. They conversed for a while but the Governor ended the confrontation by threatening to free the slaves in the colony. He added that he would then arm them!
Governor Dunmore ended the conversation when he threated to free and arm the slaves of Williamsburg.
After that, I visited shops and workers in town. At the miliner’s I purchased a new straw hat to go with my colonial dress. I had hot chocolate at Charleton’s Coffeehouse. I watched two men practicing sword fighting (they called in swordplay) on the street in front of Raleigh Tavern. (I didn’t see Thomas Jefferson or Lieutenant George Washington, though they eat at Raleigh Tavern frequently!) I visited the brickworks and watched them making bricks (which they actually use while re-creating new buildings or fixing the old ones), stopped in at the printing office and the book bindery, the apothocary, then walked through the gunpowder magazine, and the military encampment.
At the apothocary I could have purchased tooth powder to clean my teeth. The ingredients of colonial tooth powder: cinnamon, cream of tartar, and dragon’s blood – which is a plant!
After lunch, (a very 21st century smoothie from Baskin Robbins 🙂 ), we toured Great Hopes Plantation, the gaol, the the Governor’s Palace, the home of Governor Dunmore, and the Capitol Building.
What a great day!
At the book bindery. The pages of books were sewn with needle and thread.
The miliner’s shop was filled with clothing, hats and sweet smelling soaps and powders.
I had a great converstation about the proper way to decorate and wear my new hat with this citizen.
Inside the magazine. On the first floor the gun powder is normally stored. THe second floor is where they store the guns, and on the third floor we can find bedrolls, haversacks, canteens and other necessities of soldiering.
