Day 2: Williamsburg

Me with my 3 great kids in the gardens of the Governor's mansion (that's the back of the mansion behind us)

On Monday, Colonial Williamsburg launched a program for kids called "RevQuest."  It was a spy mission where the kids would try to solve riddles, find clues, and decode messages to help in the Revolutionary cause.  Each of us were given a bandana to wear so that we could be identified as members of the secret club.  We would receive clues via text message, find the appropriate people to give us a riddle, decoded message, or clue to solve, and send our answer back via text message.  Then we'd be given instructions as to what to do next.  It was great!  This man (above) is the gatekeeper, who initiated us into the program and gave us instructions as to our first mission.  From there, we were on our own.  It was a great way to see the sites - we'd go to the RevQuest destinations enroute to the places we already planned to see, and gave the kids an incentive to be alert, watching for clues and people to help us in our quest.  

Isaac was totally uninterested in what the gatekeeper had to say, so he and I stepped out and made friends with this little guy.  The two of them were like long-lost best friends and had a blast together 

They would count to three and jump off this bench.  Isaac thought it was hilarious!  Best part of his day :)

As part of RevQuest, we would look for people wearing a black and white ribbon throughout the town, like this man above.  He was standing outside the gunsmith shop.  The kids would go up to him and say our secret message ("how do America's friends pay their way?") and he would tell us the answer.  Then he would give us a riddle to solve.  This man had us use a cipher to decode our message, which was a clue to our next location.  

Cracking the code!

A guard outside the Governor's Palace (he also held a clue for our RevQuest)

The palace gardens

Running through the palace gardens

We brought lunch with us every day, and enjoyed eating on a bench in the palace gardens this day. 

More palace gardens

Elaina at the Palace

Erin, at the palace gate

Crest of the British empire

It was fun to run through the hedge maze at the palace.  

I have memories of doing lots of these at the palaces in England

Isaac loved running through the maze trying to find his sisters and getting lost.

A perfect place to let out some energy!

The palace's kitchen garden

This is the palace cook.  He was making real dishes to showcase cooking techniques and food of the day

However, we asked him what they do with all the food at the end of the day, and he says they just throw it out (because it's been sitting out all day).  I can't believe all that food goes to waste!  Aren't there starving kids in Africa somewhere that could use a good meal?

The town was so picturesque 

More of the beauty of Williamsburg

Erin, greeting George Wythe, signer of the Declaration of Independence & tutor to Thomas Jefferson

One of my favorite things about Williamsburg were the costumed interpreters.  They represented actual individuals that lived there in 1775, and would be going about their business in town.  Often they'd stop and talk to you, and definitely if you caught their attention.  We could ask questions about who they are, what they do, what their opinion on the war is, etc.  And they knew their character inside and out.  I love that they took on the role of the time period, and presented themselves as the actual individual, living in 1775, not an interpreter playing a role.  For example, to one individual I asked "so what happens to you at the end of the war?" and they responded "well, I don't know as I can't predict the future, but...." and he went on to tell me what he thinks MIGHT happen to him if America loses the war, and also what might happen to him if American wins the war.

I loved seeing all the carriages riding through town.  We declined the $40/person ride, but enjoyed looking at them :)

Mike, practicing his shooting skills

and teaching Erin some techniques too!

Elaina holding an eighteenth century rifle.  Like all products created at Williamsburg, this rifle would have been crafted using techniques and tools that were used in th 1700s.

A woman at the gunsmith shop

The gunsmith.  Mike had actually seen a documentary created in 1970s about gunsmiths, and recognized this man as the apprentice in the video, and now he is the main gunsmith at Williamsburg

Toys in the Geddy House.  We took a tour of James Geddy's home.  He was a wealthy silversmith in Williamsburg

While walking down the street we overheard a discussion between this man and a citizen of Williamsburg.  They were just discussing the political climate, and sharing opinions on the war.  These spontaneous exchanges between the costumed interpreters were not rehearsed or planned.  They were a lot of fun, as they would discuss their opinions amongst themselves, but then involve visitors into their discussion.  Sometimes a costumed interpreter would strike up a conversation with a tourist.  It made the history come alive for all of us, and especially interesting for the kids

The cabinetmaker's shop.  Notice the British flag to the left to indicate that the shop is open

A harpsichord at the Cabinetmaker's.

I thought it was fun that they let the play it!

A spinning wheel at the Cabinet Maker's

A desk in the Cabinetmakers shop.  All of these items were actually handcrafted here at the shop by the costumed tradesmen who work here

At the end of the day we witnessed a reenactment of "On to Yorktown & Victory: The General Reviews the Troops"

It took place behind the courthouse, and General Knox came and inspected the troops, both the Continental Army & the Militia.  Then they asked volunteers to "fall in" so we were able to join the army, march in line with them, stand at attention, and witness them shoot off the cannons.  The kids had a blast!

Members of the Continental Army

Members of the militia

I loved seeing the fifers and drummers march and play

We said hello to a soldier

Day 1: Williamsburg

In June we spent a week in Williamsburg, thanks to Mike's parents who traded in their timeshare for our use.  We were so excited for a family vacation together, and we've been dying to go to Williamsburg since we moved here.  It was the perfect combination of things to do that appeal to all of our interest levels.

I'm sorry for all of the pictures - the blog is a journal for our family as well as a way to share our experiences with friends and family, and so I'm not holding back on the pictures :)  It was such a fun vacation so I want to document it so we'll always remember.

Day 1

We drove down to Williamsburg (about 3 hours away) on Sunday morning, so went straight to Williamsburg for the afternoon.

Williamsburg was the Capitol of Virginia during colonial times.  Virginia was the largest and wealthiest colony by the time of the Revolutionary War, so Williamsburg was an important cultural and financial center.  The historic site is set in 1775, just just at the onset of the Revolution.  Homes and stores are reconstructed on the exact location of the original sites, and the city looks just like it did in 1775, including costumed interpreters who act like they're living in that time period, answering questions about their role in society, their trade, their lifestyle, struggles, concerns, etc.  It was an incredible!

We spent 4 1/2 days in colonial Williamsburg itself, and were busy from when it opened in the morning until close each night.  We were able to see everything, but our days were full, and we were never bored.  For us, it was the perfect vacation because it was a place that was interesting for everyone - Mike and I loved learning about the history, and all the different trades, and with so many children's programs and hands-on activities for kids, it really came alive for them and allowed them to learn something in a fun, interactive environment.  

Each day we'd drive to the visitor's center, and then walk about 1/2 mile to the historic site.  This is on our walk toward Williamsburg

Erin at the gateway, just entering Williamsburg

Making friends with the carriage horses

Erin and the carriage

The beautiful Governor's Palace, and the Palace Green in front

This man came up to Erin and was teacher her some popular games

Some 18th century clothing

The Shoemaker's Shop

At the shoemaker's shop

The shoemaker

The trades were so fascinating to learn about because everyone that works as a tradesman isn't just an actor, or pretending to make shoes, they are actual experts in this trade.  So, for example, the shoe maker is actually an expert in recreating shoes in the 18th century technique.  His job at Williamsburg is to create shoes for the purpose of his own business, but also to set himself in 1775 and answer questions and interact with tourists who come into his shop.  

Poor Erin got put into the stocks in front of the courthouse.  At first she thought it was pretty fun....

by the end of the day when we came back for her, she wasn't having as much fun.  

Lucky for her we couldn't find any tomatoes to throw at her!

The girls threw their Daddy in the stocks too.  We really wish we had some tomatoes on hand! :)

Inside the courthouse

Inside the magazine, where the guns and gunpowder were stored.  

Each of these rifles were made at the gunsmith shop (which we visited later in the week).  

These were two of my favorite costumed interpreters.  They came up to the girls and started commenting on how scandalous it was to see their bare legs, and teasing them having only half their shoe (they were wearing sandals).  They suggested we go have the shoemaker either fix their shoe or make them a new pair.  They gave each of the girls a fan to carry around as well.

I also loved that the costumed characters (most of them) were totally in character.  For the most part, they all seemed to take on the character of a person that actually existed and lived in Williamsburg.  They didn't talk about what their character "would have done" or how they "might have lived."  They wholeheartedly took on the character they played, and portrayed them in first person.  Early on I asked someone what happened to them at the end of the war, and they commented "well, I don't know what is to become of me in the future, but I suspect..."  They were so true to character and so immersed in 1775, that you had to read between the lines to determine what became of them, etc.  

We learned that wealthier men & gentlemen would wear short pants, and when he would bow to a woman, he would show off (and she would check out) his calves - an indicator of whether he was hardworking and physically fit!  

At the Bindery where books were made and bound.  So this man was an expert in book binding, particularly in the 18th century technique.  Fascinating!

Eighteenth century book binding tools

Cannons in the field

Some cute girls and the hats they had their eyes on all week long (until we finally bought one for each of them)

Site of the first English theater in the English colonies.  It was built in 1716 and called The "Play House."  We went to the theater to watch a Q&A with Benedict Arnold

This was fascinating to watch!  I didn't know much about him before, but read quickly about who he was before the Q&A.  It was fascinating to hear his side of the story and to really think on how conflicted colonists must have been on what the "right" thing to do was.