What a full day. And to walk in the footsteps of Washington, Jefferson, and Henry was just amazing. Max did really well, as long as people didn’t talk too long. Grandma got him a very nice and authentic looking tricorn hat. Pretty much everything they sell within Colonial Williamsburg is authentic to the period. Not a lot of crappy plastic souvenirs here. We started the day with a film made here in the 50’s. Jack Lord (think Hawaii 5-0) played Virginian John Fry, a loyalist who was gradually won over to the side of the patriots. It is the longest running movie in the US, and was actually a pretty good window to history.
There are many people who are costumed actors playing roles- they do not break character. We heard the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Capital Balcony, then saw various other vignettes performed. One was when Benedict Arnold, now a British General, rode into town to hoist the Union Jack over the capital and force colonists to take loyalty oaths. I could go on and on, but I won’t. Let me just give you the two biggest highlights.
Bruton Parish Church was the church where Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were members. This building is original and the current congregation opens it up every day for tourists. You can sit in the pews where these founding fathers sat with their families. It was very, very cool.
The other highlight was dinner. We ate at the Kings Arms Tavern. There are several taverns here that serve historically accurate menus in traditional surroundings. This was a rebuilt building, but our menu we each had authentic colonial meal. Heather had Game pie. It was a great big potpie with rabbit and venison inside. She shared with Max, and said it was delicious. Grandma had the Tavern Keepers grill plate. She had duck sausage, shrimp and beef. Grandma also tried a rummer- rum with apricot and peach brandy. I had the Tavern special, and a mint julep (when in Rome…) Mine started with peanut soup. It was very rich. I think it was creamy peanut butter cut with cream and heated. It was actually very good, and we all shared it. My main meal was Chicken, ham, green beans, mushrooms and potatoes. It was all really good. We all shared with Max, and his favorite was the duck sausage. Probably because mommy kept telling him it was a hot dog. Mine also came with dessert, and we all shared the rice pudding. Each of us got a plate of relishes. In colonial times, meat was served with a selection of relishes and so the saying to eat with relish, or to relish a meal. We had a chopped ham relish (Max ate mostly this) a corn relish, and a pickled watermelon rind relish. The last one tasted like sweet pickles. We were taught how to “tie one on” with our half yard of cloth napkins we had to tie around our necks. This covered our entire fronts. Musicians roamed the room playing old tunes, and it was a really nice way to end our time here.
Colonial Williamsburg does for the Revolutionary war what Silver Dollar City does for the Ozarks, but it is in the actual historical setting. There are 88 original buildings, and the others have been painstakingly rebuilt. John D Rockefeller recognized in the 1920’s and 30’s the history was in danger of being lost, and used his wealth and power to ensure its preservation. If you get a chance, come. Every American should visit at least once.
There are many people who are costumed actors playing roles- they do not break character. We heard the reading of the Declaration of Independence from the Capital Balcony, then saw various other vignettes performed. One was when Benedict Arnold, now a British General, rode into town to hoist the Union Jack over the capital and force colonists to take loyalty oaths. I could go on and on, but I won’t. Let me just give you the two biggest highlights.
Bruton Parish Church was the church where Thomas Jefferson and George Washington were members. This building is original and the current congregation opens it up every day for tourists. You can sit in the pews where these founding fathers sat with their families. It was very, very cool.
The other highlight was dinner. We ate at the Kings Arms Tavern. There are several taverns here that serve historically accurate menus in traditional surroundings. This was a rebuilt building, but our menu we each had authentic colonial meal. Heather had Game pie. It was a great big potpie with rabbit and venison inside. She shared with Max, and said it was delicious. Grandma had the Tavern Keepers grill plate. She had duck sausage, shrimp and beef. Grandma also tried a rummer- rum with apricot and peach brandy. I had the Tavern special, and a mint julep (when in Rome…) Mine started with peanut soup. It was very rich. I think it was creamy peanut butter cut with cream and heated. It was actually very good, and we all shared it. My main meal was Chicken, ham, green beans, mushrooms and potatoes. It was all really good. We all shared with Max, and his favorite was the duck sausage. Probably because mommy kept telling him it was a hot dog. Mine also came with dessert, and we all shared the rice pudding. Each of us got a plate of relishes. In colonial times, meat was served with a selection of relishes and so the saying to eat with relish, or to relish a meal. We had a chopped ham relish (Max ate mostly this) a corn relish, and a pickled watermelon rind relish. The last one tasted like sweet pickles. We were taught how to “tie one on” with our half yard of cloth napkins we had to tie around our necks. This covered our entire fronts. Musicians roamed the room playing old tunes, and it was a really nice way to end our time here.
Colonial Williamsburg does for the Revolutionary war what Silver Dollar City does for the Ozarks, but it is in the actual historical setting. There are 88 original buildings, and the others have been painstakingly rebuilt. John D Rockefeller recognized in the 1920’s and 30’s the history was in danger of being lost, and used his wealth and power to ensure its preservation. If you get a chance, come. Every American should visit at least once.
Good night from Virginia, DaWN
ps- just the one photo tonight- low camera battery and crappy signal at hotel.
2 comments:
sounds very cool. I thought artfest was something special tonight, but that sounds amazing. cool food. The game pie sounds yummy! and watermelon rind relish....very interesting. well I hope tomorrow is a great day, we are gearing up for the fair tomorrow evening. Nothing very historical there but great people watching!!!!!! Dana
The relish was definitely different. But surprisingly tasty. I am sure you had your own share of tasty food at the fair!
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