(June): Day 3: Williamsburg

I loved seeing scenes like this all over town.  These girls (not mine) are being taught a proper curtsy

We started off the day watching a reenactment of "Storming the Palace," which depicted local residents demanding the return of the colony's gunpowder, which was removed from the Magazine over night 

Sweet little Erin marched with them to demand answers from the Governor!

The Governor came out and tried to calm the public

Visiting the Wheelwright was really interesting - we learned how they fashioned carriage wheels in 18th century Colonial America

I really enjoyed talking to these guys.  Their line of work is restoration of historical artifacts (as an art historian, you can see why I find this fascinating, right?).  The current project they were working on was restoring George Washington's tent that was used during the revolutionary war.  The tent was on display for us to see at Yorktown.  So as part of their project, they were in Williamsburg for a week building materials to be used in the display.  Which meant they would dress in costume and answer the millions of questions from fascinated people, like me.  Here, they are creating tent stakes, like the one Isaac is holding below.  

(to him, it was just a really cool stick)

Then we visited the basket maker

Playing with 18th century toys

Erin gave this lady some good competition in their checkers match!

George Wythe house.  He was a tutor to Thomas Jefferson and one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.  

Enjoying George Wythe's backyard.  Thankfully the rain was just a drizzle and didn't last long!

The Cooper's Shop

Mike really enjoyed talking with the cooper, and wanted to buy one of his steins until he realized they were selling for $300!

Isaac found a cool stick!

And a chicken friend

In front of James Geddy's home - a wealthy Silversmith in Williamsburg

Visiting a Revolutionary War Camp

The shirts read, "Liberty or Death"

We loved seeing the fifer & drum band marching through Williamsburg.  We watched them perform in the camp.

When it started to rain they invited us under their canopy for some drumming lessons.  A perfect way to wait out the rain!

One of our favorite spots was the brickmaker's complex

We learned all about the brickmaking process

and then we got to help out by stomping the water into the clay!

Messy fun!

We were curious about these piles of oyster shells at the brickmaker's complex.  We learned that because of the abundance of oysters in the Chesapeake Bay, the shells were crushed and used to create the roadways in Williamsburg

Of course we were always working on solving the puzzles to find the traitor and help the American cause while in Williamsburg.  Here we are analyzing maps and reading clues.  Notice the girls deep in thought trying to figure out the puzzle?

The Cabinetmaker

Buildings on the Duke of Gloucester Street (the main street in town)

We were always stumbling upon costumed interpreters having spontaneous conversations about current affairs, particularly with the upcoming war

The Apothecary

During this time, apothecaries were also trained as medical doctors and sometimes, surgeons

The girls and I loved the Millinery Shop to see all the fun dresses and hats

Toward the end of the day, we watched as the British army marched in after seizing control of Williamsburg (partway through the war)

A speech by the British General, in front of the Capitol building

We thought it was interesting that in 1775 more than half of the residents of Williamsburg were black

As we were walking down the street, this lady was shouting "come help with the war effort!"  So we joined her and learned that women and children often helped by cleaning the rifle parts

We finished our day at the  Powell House, a family home in Williamsburg

And this is where we put the kids to work so they didn't forget how to do their chores while on vacation!  We learned all about household duties and what children's chores were like during this timeperiod

Helping in the garden

Reminding myself how grateful I am for a modern kitchen and laundry!

Playing games outside the Powell House

By the end of the day we had solved all the clues in our RevQuest mission.  We revealed the identity of our spy and met this guy, who thanked us for our hard work and dedication to the cause (by giving us a prize).  I'm not sure if the scowl on his face is part of the character he's playing, or because this crazy family asked him to be in a picture at the end of his shift...?