Getting Your Bearings in Colonial Williamsburg
by deecat
You need to know that "Colonial" Virginia refers to the 17th and 18th centuries under the British Crown, and Colonial Williamsburg's Historic Area reflects life from 1750 to 1780. Williamsburg, Virginia is located 150 miles south of Washington, D.C., and 50 miles east of Richmond, and 50 miles west of Norfolk on Interstate 64.
This is confusing, but Colonial Williamsburg is located in the center of the modern city of Williamsburg. It is defined by its 173-acre Historic Area. Now, within the boundaries of the Historic Area, everthing appears as it did in the 18th-century. Duke of Gloucester Street is a mile long main street that bisects this area. Interestingly, tunneling under this main street is the Colonial Parkway, a scenic road that links Colonial Williamsburg to nearby Jamestown and Yorktown. I enjoyed the Visitor's Center, and the best advice I can give you is to urge you to begin your visit at this center. There are over 1200 free parking spaces here. You cannot drive in Colonial Williamsburg, so parking here is smart.
The center is a place to buy admission tickets, make needed reservations for restaurants and overnight accommodations, special programs, and evening events.
The best buy for tickets is the Patriot's Pass which we purchased. It is good for one year from the date of purchase and gives you unlimited admission to all Colonial Williamsburg exhibits plus Carter's Grove. In addition, it's where you are able to view an extremely helpful film called Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot which lasts for 35 minutes and tells the story of the American revolution in Viriginia to life.
You will be given a guidebook, a map, and a short orientation. It's good to know that your admission ticket covers use of the bus system.
I personally found that this first stop at the Visitor's Center was quite helpful and oh, so valuable.
The Glissade
by b1bob
The Glissade doesn't look like much of a roller coaster, but it sure enough was impressive to this 10-year old boy on a 31 July 1979 visit to Busch Gardens. When I came back in May, 2000, I didn't see it. I guess they had to make way for the Alpengeist.
Wigs
by matcrazy1
The governor's servant who welcomed his wife coming back to the palace, wore fashionable wig and popular in the 18th century hat with three sides cocked.
WIGS
The wig of the governor's servant was made of distinguished and fashionable gray hair, was short with a longer bunch at the back modestly hidden behind piece of tied-up black silk cloth.
I got to know that wigs had entered into court fashion in both England and France since1650s but just the 18th century became the golden age of male wig wearing. They were most popular at the beginning of the century. Later on, they became cheaper, available for lower classes and... less aristocratic, thus less popular among the snooty upper class although few, more conservative gentelmen, continued to wear wigs in 19th century. The wigs were made of human, horse, goat or yak hair.
Ford's Colony
by upesnlwc
In the year 1606 King James I sent the first colonist to Virginia, and the game of golf followed soon thereafter. But it was another 300 years later before Dan Maples built a course fit for a king, right here at Ford's Colony.
Now Ford's Colony boasts 54 holes of this civilized pastime. Each one, designed with a solid appreciation of all levels of play. Designer Dan Maples, recipient of Golf Digest's highest award for course design, states: "Ford's Colony is truly a player's course. Built with championship qualities, it's capable of challenging the skills of any pro without taking away from an amateur's enjoyment. Not many courses offer this flexibility." With 54 holes and a magnificent dining room, there is soemthing for everyone at this country club. There is also a Marriott on the premises.
What a house!
by matcrazy1
This house stands off the beaten path, somewhere close to the Williambsburg's Capitol. It looked not only impressive but a little bit unique in colonial Williamsburg. Why?
First beause of a roof which was less steep than usual, second because of 2-storey facade topped by tympanum. Tympanum is a top, triangle-shape area of front facade of ancient Greek and Roman temple usually covered by frescos or sculptures. In this house there was a skylight instead.
Most residential, Georgian houses of colonial Williamsburg have gable roofs with dormers and tall, side chimneys.
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Silver piece on the Great Dining Room table
1/2 barbecued chicken, beans, collard greens
The sailing ships
Inside the old church
