While in DC, we experienced a temperamental battery in the Jeep. One morning when we were about to leave Cherry Hill RV Park TJ (The Jeep) wouldn’t start! I walked up to the office and they sent someone right away to give us a jump. Knowing we didn’t want to be stuck in a parking garage with a dead battery after a long day in DC, we stopped at an auto parts store on the way. We bought a portable batter jump starter. Time was critical while in DC, so this got us through! Plus it’s just great to have for emergencies for us or others.
We arrived in Williamsburg, VA on October 8. We were exhausted from our non-stop exploration of NYC for three days followed immediately with a full week in DC. It was time to chill for the rest of the day.
October 9:
Today we had a leisure start to our morning. First on the agenda was a new battery for TJ. With new peace of mind, we headed to Colonial Williamsburg.
First stop: Williamsburg Information Center (and gift shop)
Ticket options:
$57 for a multi-day ticket, or $47 for a single-day ticket for “admission” inside the historical buildings, trades, etc. A “Triangle Pass” (Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown) for $110 per adult.
We both agreed the $110 Triangle Pass was out. It was suggested that we just go walk around to check out Colonial Williamsburg, and then see what we wanted to do. Tickets were available at two additional locations. Perfect. That’s what we did.
MAJOR TIP: If you purchase a single-day ticket at 3:01 PM or later, it is good the rest of the day and the entire next day! Sounded like a plan, but as I looked at the back of the map with trade and exhibition schedules, I was surprised to discover that there were a number of historic sites and trades that weren’t available anytime today with others not available on Tues. A few would not be open till Wednesday.
We headed out onto the path. On the pedestrian bridge we saw this:
“YOU ARE LEAVING THE 21ST CENTURY – WALK BACK IN TIME”
Arrived 1920:
Arrived 1913:
“YOU ARE ENTERING THE AMERICAN COLONIES – 18TH CENTURY”
(Our Time Machine portal. LOL
The walk from the visitor center to Colonial Williamsburg was a beautiful one!
Williamsburg was the capital of Virginia from 1699 to 1780. The Historic Area includes 89 original 18th-century buildings. Many more have been reconstructed based on historical records and archaeological research.
A colonial-style camouflaged drinking fountain!
The Capitol:
Oldest commercial building in town! ORIGINAL building!
We always laugh at how easily people become creatures of habit. At church, weekly attendees will sit in the same pew week after week. I always enjoyed watching the surprised reactions when an unknowing visitor sat in “someone’s pew” prior to their arrival. In this church you will see the family pews are boxed in complete with a door! And yes, their name is on the door. (Not that they were labeled at that time.) LOL.
I think having a section similar to this with doors might be something to consider today to help families attend services with squirming babies and toddlers. They could be on the floor and able to crawl and play!
Rare Leicester Sheep:
“A long, healthy, and lustrous coat which falls in ringlets, ease of feeding, valuable meat supply, and quick maturation are this sheep’s breed traits. Leicester (pronounced “lester”) Longwools originated in Britain and were used as a pioneer breed. These Leicester Longwool sheep are much like the sheep George Washington raised at Mount Vernon. And our historic weavers enjoy their fleece, too!” (from https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org/locations/sheep/ )
Cleveland Bay horses! This versatile, rare breed is critically endangered today. The 18th century colonists depended upon the Cleveland Bays. Colonial Williamsburg is part of a stewardship program hoping to revive interest and help preserve this breed. This was probably the highlight for me today – probably because it was unexpected.
Compton Oak: It was HUGE, and absolutely gorgeous!
Time to work our way to the “portal” to get back to the 21st century!
Nation Makers:
Williamsburg seems to have changed from what I remember as a kid. I recall a significant number of people in period attire walking the streets and being able to go in everywhere without having to pay for special access. It really felt like you were a part of colonial times. I remember eating at a restaurant where George Washington ate, and thought Barry and I could check it out. Closed on Mondays.
Just walking the town on our own was enough for us. We passed on purchasing even the single day pass. I used the historical Williamsburg walking tour via our ActionTours app a little today instead.