Where We Be
| Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia |
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| We loved the aroma of cedar shavings at the Cooper's House |
| Woman in bright red period costume |
| The Governor's House on a misty morning, with a woman in red period costume walking towards us |
| Impressive display of arms in the Governor's House |
| The Capitol Building, historical seat of power in colonial Virginia |
| A fife and drum corps marched while we enjoyed the warmth of the fires |
| Fire cresset ready to be lit for New Year's Eve |
| This Coffee Pot wreath was another favorite |
| Our favorite wreath on the Christmas Decorations tour |
| Sparks fly as he hammers the red-hot metal |
| Big blacksmith works the bellows |
| Silversmith hard at work |
| Period costumes add authenticity |
| No wonder Mom loves coffee so much! |
| Silversmith with bewildering array of tools |
| Main Street in Williamsburg on New Year's Eve Day |
| Colonial drinking fountain? |
| Crossed swords in the Governor's House |
| Pistol art in the Governor's House |
| Lovely Christmas wreath with apples |
In two days of busy touring, we managed to see nearly
every historic building on the Williamsburg map. At the
Blacksmith Shop -- the only shop I remember from when
I was a kid -- we saw bellows being worked and fire-red
metals being hammered into shape.
At the Book Bindery -- an unexpected favorite -- a
knowledgeable man in period costume made it clear
just how expensive books were back in colonial times.
We learned about the spines of books and why they
have raised bands, how books were shaved to cut the
pages, and how different types of leather (e.g.,
Moroccan goatskin) were used. One book could easily
cost a common laborer six months' wages. Even
unbound pamphlets could cost a day’s wages.
On New Year's Eve, we stood on the Palace Green and
watched the Illumination of the Houses, a tradition
dating back to colonial times. A fife and drum corps
played patriotic songs as they marched up and down
the green. Fire-cressets were lit. Children shouted
“The British are coming!” as muskets were fired, and
the musketeers themselves shouted “Huzzah!”
every historic building on the Williamsburg map. At the
Blacksmith Shop -- the only shop I remember from when
I was a kid -- we saw bellows being worked and fire-red
metals being hammered into shape.
At the Book Bindery -- an unexpected favorite -- a
knowledgeable man in period costume made it clear
just how expensive books were back in colonial times.
We learned about the spines of books and why they
have raised bands, how books were shaved to cut the
pages, and how different types of leather (e.g.,
Moroccan goatskin) were used. One book could easily
cost a common laborer six months' wages. Even
unbound pamphlets could cost a day’s wages.
On New Year's Eve, we stood on the Palace Green and
watched the Illumination of the Houses, a tradition
dating back to colonial times. A fife and drum corps
played patriotic songs as they marched up and down
the green. Fire-cressets were lit. Children shouted
“The British are coming!” as muskets were fired, and
the musketeers themselves shouted “Huzzah!”
