The Places and People of Williamsburg

Our all-day tour of Colonial Williamsburg was the highlight of our spring break this year. Though there's no way to fit in all that this little village has to offer, we tried our hardest and planned our return trip this summer thanks to the annual passes we bought. Our kids are just old enough to make connections with other places we visit and other things they've learned.

Again, the brick structures are impressively beautiful. The jail is actually the only original building in all of Williamsburg, and though immaculately kept now, the eery feeling and the smallness of it were unforgettable. Blackbeard's pirates along with countless revolutionaries were shackled here waiting for their day in court next door at the Capitol building.

As much of the rest of Williamsburg, the Capitol building was only re-built through the generosity of the Rockefeller family. 

While I love the buildings and their unique details, the people are the element of Williamsburg that brings this place and time to life. The brick maker, who described how clay is stamped in pits, shaped, cured, then fired.

The cooper who walked us through the details of making buckets and barrels. 

The armory guy, who described where the colonists' weapons had come from and how many people could use them.

Finally, after a long day of lines and stories we went to the Governor's Palace, where one of the "maids" gave us a brief tour. Have I ever mentioned how much I love maps? In these historic places they are frequently displayed to add a visual representation of geographical realities of that time period.

During colonial times, this mansion was the epitome of decadence, and extension of the opulent rights of nobility and political connection. 

With all there was to look at, my eye was drawn to the doorways and corners of each room. There was so much to notice and appreciate. I settled for snapping quick photos of what I had time to see. I couldn't help but notice the art in it all--the color, lines, angles, shape, and texture. Without a doubt artists created these spaces.

It had been chilly and wet all day and we had used up all the kids' patience on that last tour, so we didn't wander through the gardens as I hoped. The kids snuggled into Dan for this last photo, and we said goodbye for a few months. I don't doubt we'll return for more learning.