Colonial Williamsburg: A Revolutionary Experience
- Angela Umphers Rueger
- Mar 7, 2017
- 3 min read
One of the greatest things about home schooling in Virginia is all the wonderful opportunities at our fingertips to see history being re-enacted rather than just reading about it. And with Colonial Williamsburg only an hour’s drive from our house, we went there often over the years, sometimes with friends, and sometimes just with our family. This blog includes a lot more pictures than I normally share, for they tell the story better than I do. These are not professional photos, just a few of the snapshots that I took while visiting the Olde Towne.
Colonial Williamsburg has much to see, and as many times as we went there, we still didn’t see everything. But we did visit the working plantation, the governor’s palace, the capitol building, the church, the courthouse, the jailhouse, the armory, and of course, the museums and shops. While we did not try all the eateries, we did choose Huzzah as our favorite place to eat. It’s located near the Visitor’s Center, and they have the best pizza anywhere around.
When you visit the Olde Towne, naturally, you will see plenty of colonial buildings and cobblestone streets. You’ll go inside the various shops, houses, and public buildings and listen as historians dressed in period costumes tell you what life was like in the years leading up to the Revolutionary War. You’ll get to see a cobbler making shoes, cooks preparing for a feast, and carpenters building a carriage very similar to the one you may ride in later on that day. In the courthouse, you may even get a chance to sit as a juror in a hearing regarding a land dispute. In the courtyard, be sure to snap a picture of your children in the stocks—and let them do the same to you! At some point in the day, you may see and hear the fife and drums signaling that a group of young Revolutionary soldiers is marching down the streets in parade, on their way to drill. You may even see the Redcoats making their presence known in the town. And depending on the day, you may get lucky enough to actually meet Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, or General George Washington and his wife Martha.
Do you and your children love farm animals? If so, then be on the lookout for horses, oxen, sheep,
and chickens. If music is more your style, then make plans to attend a concert. Some are free and open to the public, while others require the purchase of a reasonably-priced ticket. We have been to both, including three different performances of Dean Shostak’s Crystal Concert in the Kimball Theater. (Check out his Facebook page.) His collection of glass instruments includes handbells, a violin, and the unique instrument pictured here, the Cristal Baschet, invented in France by two brothers. Dean is also one of only eight players of the glass armonica, an instrument invented by Ben Franklin. Click here for a demonstration of the instrument.
After the concert in the Kimball Theater, you may want to enjoy a nice dinner with the family at Shield’s Tavern, walk through the museum to view the many artifacts from the colonial era, then pick up a souvenir in one of the shops at Merchant Square.
Here I have barely scratched the surface of what there is to do in Colonial Williamsburg; therefore, I would encourage you to visit and visit often if you can. Viewing their website may help you plan your visit. If you home school, be sure to look for information regarding their special events and pricing.
Have you already been there? If so, please comment below to tell us what you liked best. And be sure to include your favorite photo from your trip! I'd love to see them!
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