Wednesday 29 July 2015

A Great Colonial Experience at Williamsburg, Virginia, U.S.A.



Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg - A historical place in U.S. well worth a visit!

We were north of Richmond, Virginia, for a week at a Christian camp.

Since we were close to a few famous attractions, we took a day off from camp and visited a historical place my husband has always wanted to see – Williamsburg.




Williamsburg - A well preserved area where visitors could walk freely without worrying about avoiding vehicles

 It was a scorching 34 degree ( but it felt like 40 degree !) on the day we visited Williamsburg.
Trying to avoid the heat, we arrived at the Visitors’ Centre early in the day. 
Visiting the Governor's Manor


 It has been great travelling with friends on this trip. However, Carl is not as interested in history as we are, so we have to compromise a little on this visit.

Instead of purchasing the full day admission ticket  ( U.S. $ 40.00 per person) to Williamsburg, we bought a Sampler Ticket at a little more than U.S. $20.00 for each of us. 



A Bedroom in Colonial Williamsburg



With a Sampler Ticket for each one of us, we were allowed to visit two houses, the public jail and two trades shop to learn what life was like during the colonial time in Virginia.







A Dove House, Williamsburg, Virginia, USA




Learned  we did!

We saw a big bird house structure sitting in the backyard of the first house we visited. Curious, I asked what it was for.

Doves were raised for food in Colonial times
The lady at the house informed us that doves were often raised for food in Colonial Virginia as they were ready to be eaten in about two to three weeks!

Doves - fast growing and a great source of protein. I never thought of that.
Basket weaving - an essential skill at Colonial Virginia time












We take for granted how easy we could have a shopping bag in our society.

Visiting the basket making workshop, I asked the lady who was making a basket how much would a basket cost at that time.

She replied." You could not buy a basket then. If you needed a basket to hold or carry things, you would have to make one yourself."

Visitors could purchase an all day pass or a Sampler Ticket while visiting Williamsburg

 



Williamsburg is a well preserved colonial town with streets lined with well kept colonial houses, gardens, various shops, a bakery, tavern, a church, an apothecary etc.








Costumed staff stationed at various venues and explained things to visitors



Numerous costumed staff walked the historical streets, manned the shops explaining what life was like in a bygone era and answering questions patiently from visitors.








This was an interesting and interactive game for visitors.



As an educator, I get excited whenever I see interactive activities for kids and visitors.

We saw a few of these games.
An African stone game for visitors to Williamsburg




  









 In one of the houses we visited, there were some old fashioned wooden games set out for kids and visitors to play.
A costumed little visitor tried the game with a staffer










Visitors could rent costumes and wear them for the duration of their visit to this historic town.

This little visitor did just that! She was playing one of those popular colonial games with a costumed character!


Trying my hands at one of those colonial  games




Though without a costume, I tried my hands at one of those games too!










Lots of games and activities provided throughout our time at Williamsburg
There were games on the street and visitors were invited to take part to play as well!

How I wished we brought our kids here when they were small! ( They might not have had these games then.)

 Our curious and game loving children would have definitely enjoyed these challenging games!


We attended a short prayer service in this Williamsburg church







We attended a short church prayer time at the church. 

We found out that the men sat on one side of the church while all the women and children sat on the other side and that the wealthy were at the front pews while the poor people at the back!

Segregation was always there in the U.S. 

A Silversmith Shop







One of the trades shop we visited was a silver smith shop where silver utensils were made. 

It was a great experience visiting Williamsburg!

R.T
Travelling in Virginia, USA






During colonial time, people could actually bring their silver and have the silversmith made their jewelry or silverware item for them.







Watching a short drama played out on the outside stage


 Despite the heat, costumed staff donned their period costumes and performed their roles with enthusiasm at Williamsburg.

 Buying the Sampler Ticket turned out to be an excellent decision as the weather was just too hot in the afternoon for us to walk around.

There are lots to see and do here! Williamsburg is a great place to visit if you are interested in American history! Great fun place for the whole family!

R.T.
Williamsburg
Virginia, USA

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