It has been raining here for days. So much rain that we have had some incredible flash floods and there is standing water in our yard. While I was stuck inside, I was reminded of memories from a Springtime trip several years ago that we took to Colonial Williamsburg, the Revolutionary City on the eastern side of Virginia. It’s a living history museum and we spent time there exploring on a rainy day in May.
Luckily the rain was nothing like the downpours we are currently experiencing – it was a light misty rain with occasional light showers. But it made all the greens of Springtime pop against the cold gray skies. This is the Elkanah Deane House on the Palace Green. He was a coach maker.
The moss on the roofs came to life in the dampness. There are lots of cute little buildings and sheds tucked in and around the larger houses and shops.
I just love all the different greens in this little garden.
This was Keith’s first visit to Williamsburg. Growing up in Virginia, I had been several times but this was my first visit with Keith and it was different than what I remembered growing up. It was better than ever, even on a rainy day! And Keith’s brother Mike and his wife Vicki were there with us from Washington state so it was their first time, too.
As a kid I don’t think I paid much attention to the gardens. Which were lovely, even in the rain.
Everything a Colonial household needed could be found in their garden, even a bee skep for honey! Bees were brought over with the colonists so most every household kept bees so that they would always have a supply of honey, which was such an important part of their lively hood! Honey was used for sweetening foods, making candles, not to mention the fact that bees pollinated crops.
This gnarly tree near the Blacksmith Shop has seen more than a lifetime’s share of rainy days. And it even looked a little like it might come to life on this overcast day.
The squirrels didn’t seem to mind the rain. We saw them everywhere.
And this sweet little Colonial Calico greeted us as we visited the Printing Press.
Even though there were not a lot of visitor’s braving the rain like us, there were plenty of reenactors out and about.
It was kind of like having the place to ourselves. The living history comes to life through the reenactors as they portray every day life in the Revolutionary City.
There are carriages where you can ride around the Colonial Capital and see the city from a different perspective.
They will take you even in the rain. Although there were not many takers on this rainy day.
Which meant the working horses had extra time to rest.
Because it was not crowded, we could pick out more details, like this Sign of the Rhinoceros on house off Duke of Gloucester Street. It is a private residence and apparently the sign was part of a game called RevQuest, that was popular in 2012 with children and families visiting. Colonial Williamsburg has plenty of events to keep everyone happy, from children to adults!
This sign is for the Red Lion Inn, a private residence.
There were signs for taverns, too, like this one for Chowning’s, where we ate lunch.
And just in case you weren’t sure, you can get a pint here!
We visited the Magazine, the building where the town’s munitions were housed. Since it was a rainy day, we had more time to ask questions and get answers when touring this structure. We were told about how the Royal Governor controlled the munitions and how the Colonists had a major confrontation with the Governor and his troops ended up taking the Colonists gunpowder to prevent a revolt.
Across from the Magazine is the Courthouse, where we stopped and “Went to Court.” Vicki and I were actually able to sit on the court and listen actual cases presented to the Judge. The cases were taken from the actual records of the court. It was a lot of fun and we arrived just before a light shower started so it was a good time to be inside.
Afterwards we played around in the stockade – here Vicki and Mike pose for a picture.
And here I am with Keith. I would have hated to actually be punished like this. It was extremely uncomfortable (that’s the point) and we were only in it for a minute or two. Plus, if this were your punishment, everyone in town would walk by you and know you were being punished.
Behind the Courthouse is the Peyton Randolph House, which even on a rainy day had a crowd. Come to think of it, every time we go to Williamsburg there is always a crowd . It is a neat house to visit.
We continued walking along Duke of Gloucester Street, or DOG as the locals say, and passed Peter Hays Kitchen.
The William Lightfoot House…
And the William Lightfoot Kitchen. In the eighteenth century, kitchens were separate from the houses for several reasons. Two reasons that come to mind are no modern day air conditioning or appliances, so food was often cooked over a hot fire and because of that, a lot of kitchens caught on fire, so keeping the kitchen separate helped to ensure that the house would be less likely to catch on fire. Also, many times this is where the cook and other servants lived.
Across the street was the George Reid House. Just look at that moss on the roof.
When we got to the King’s Arms Tavern, we were in time to see an outdoor drama set in front of the Raleigh Tavern across the street. Taverns or Ordinaries, were a necessity in the eighteenth century. They were places where the public could eat, enjoy a good ale and sometimes find lodging, depending on the offerings available. And the taverns in Williamsburg hosted many of our nation’s Founding Fathers! This was also where you could get the latest news on what was happening in the Colonies from travelers passing through.
The actors in the drama were plentiful and they reenacted actual events that happened, based on items published in the papers of the day. There was a story of a traitor (Benedict Arnold) and a story of a wife just finding out that her husband had been taken prisoner in Charleston by the British. So even on a rainy day, the show went on.
Another show that goes on is the performance by the Fife and Drum Corp. They have shows several times a day. The musicians are local children and it is a real honor to make the cut. They are very good at what they do and on this day we happened upon them as they marched with the Militia as they were getting ready for inspection by General Washington himself.
This little boy was so adorable as he concentrated on playing his drum that was almost as big as he was.
Finally, as promised after all of the showmanship of the Militia, General Washington himself arrived and addressed the troops. Remember, George Washington of course is not yet President since we were just witnessing the beginnings of the Revolutionary War on our visit to Colonial Williamsburg.
All in all, it was a great way to spend the day, even though it had been rainy and overcast. We were entertained, had lovely scenery to take in and were able to participate in our country’s history up close. And we made great Memories on a Springtime Rainy Day!
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