The Trousdale Family: 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!