These are photos from one of two recent trips our family took this winter season. In the first half of December, we visited Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. It was really fun! The entire town was so elegantly decorated for the holiday season. Think lots of understated colonial homes with quiet candles in the windows and stately trees shining with white lights glowing through living room windows or front doors. I just love that look. It's so Little Women-esque, you know. The living history section of town is a collection of streets, homes, and other buildings that have been preserved or rebuilt as they were thought to have been in the 18th century. These streets allow foot traffic only and it really fires my heart up so - my sort of Disney World, I suppose. It feels almost as if one is stepping back in time. I imagine this version is a little more sanitary. The streets are paved and there are far fewer horses clip clopping along the streets. And surely a bit more comfortable. Though nearly all of the buildings had fires going in the fireplaces or wood stoves, I noticed a constant low hum of the sound of central heat. Also, and more sadly, in colonial times, over half of the population of Williamsburg was enslaved. Still the entire experience is pretty darn fun and interesting. Many of the buildings maintain the same function as they did in colonial times. For example, the stories of inns and prominent homes come to life as the "owners and employees" welcome you inside and presume the normal day to day functions in your company.
Wondering up and down the streets is also really neat. Sometimes one will meet up with famous characters such as Patrick Henry, James Madison, George Washington, or Thomas Jefferson. We got to listen to Thomas Jefferson speak at a public gathering about the importance of universal education, liberty, and civil duties. Pretty cool!
Some of the craftspeople that have businesses in Colonial Williamsburg are cabinet builders, wigmakers, coopers (barrel makers), book binders, millineries, black smiths, cobblers, silversmiths, and such.
We bought a season pass (homeschoolers get a 50% discount) with hopes of returning again at another part of the year. I'd love to experience the town again in the warm months when everything is abloom and green!
I have always, always wanted to visit Colonial Williamsburg at Christmastime. Thanks for the tip about the homeschool discount!
Posted by: Brandy | January 15, 2018 at 04:28 AM