Capitol
The first colony to speak for American independence, Virginia spoke with a unanimous voice on May 15, 1776. Patrick Henry also gave his famous "Give me Liberty or Give me Death" speech against the Stamp Act here in this capitol building.
Archway connecting the two sides of the building; the General Court to the House of Burgesses.
Many of the stone steps in Colonial Williamsburg are held together with metal cleats.
Scott and I sat on the jury of Cry Witch in the General Courtroom to determine the guilt or innocence of "the Virginia Witch." We found her innocent as they did at the time of her trial.
House of Burgesses; this building burned three times but this is the original Speaker's chair.
King William, yes, Wiliamsburg was named for him!
Council chamber
Upstairs window in council chamber.
Charlton's Coffeehouse
Gentlemen of the time gathered around the tables of Charlston's Coffeeshop to talk politics, make deals, and strengthen connections.
Mr. Charleton chose the wallpaper for this room but Mrs. Charlton didn't like it. When she first walked in she exclaimed "ducks"! Can you see how the flowers do look like a duck's head, eye, and beak?
Leaning next to the fireplace is a coffee roaster. Mrs. Charleton would put the beans inside the drum and then roast it over the open fire each day.
The Charlton's serve coffee, tea, and chocolate. Scott has his coffee but the maid is serving my chocolate! It was like drinking melted chocolate, very rich and creamy!
Golden Ball
Silversmith
The silversmith is adding the design to a bracelet he made.
Prentis Store
Tarpley, Thompson, & Company
William Pitt
Mary Stith House
Mary Stith was the daughter of the president of the College of William and Mary. In her 1813 will she left this house and all her property to her freed black servants.
Meet Edith Cumbo, one of the few free Blacks living in Williamsburg during the Revolutionary War. Edith was a seamstress and laundress.
Tin shop that sits in back of the main house was also left to Mary's freed black slaves.
Public Armoury: Blacksmith
Some of the tools made in by the blacksmiths for use at Colonial Williamsburg.
The blacksmith is making an adz like the ones in this photo. Blacksmiths in Colonial Williamsburg were sometimes women, although we think of it as a male profession.
Wetherburn's Tavern
Notices were left in taverns much like we leave notes on our local post office bulletin board or windows.
Men's shaving bowl, soap, and razor. The bowl is cut out for the man's chin!
Bed chamber with a curtain cost more because the curtains could be pulled for privacy even though there were also other beds in the room.
Carpet was sold in 17 inch strips and then sewn together to make a room-sized carpet. If you look closely you can see the seam on the brown background through the row of blue flowers.
Creamery
Inside Creamery
Meat rotisserie in the kitchen of Wetherburn Tavern.
Chicken basket (used to hold the chickens that would later be served for dinner).
Dominique chickens, a rare, hearty breed.
Scott walking through the Wetherburn kitchen garden.
Public Armoury: Kitchen
The cook is making Brunswick stew for the 40 workers of the Public Armoury.
Baking bread; actually the wind was not cooperating so they are having a hard time getting their oven ready for baking bread. They need coals rather than flames!
Pasteur & Galt Apothecary
In colonial times the apothecary was more than a druggist. An apothecary often provided medical treatment, prescribed medications, performed surgeries, trained apprentices, and served as man- midwives.
Throughout Colonial Williamsburg are private homes such as this one, so I don't know why it has a "bell sign" out front. Why do you think it does?
Milliner & Tailor
These ladies are doing fine embroidery on a pocket and making lace.
Colonial pockets for sale.
Presbyterian Meetinghouse
Govenor's Palace
The Govenor of Virginia, Lord Dunmore lived in this palace and was appointed by the King of England.
Well bucket
Alley between buildings in the courtyard.
Palace Cellar
Cellar and original brick foundation of building.
Beer bottles stored in the cellar, even children in 1775 drank beer.
Canning jars
Palace Kitchen
Kitchen garden
Formal colonial garden
Inside entryway and hallway were covered with weapons. Why? To show the govenor's wealth and power; they were for display only.
Colonial door knob
Very expensive red wallpaper in the sitting room of Lady Dunmore - the border is pressed papier-mâché gilded with gold.
Original cradle that rocked the Dunmore's baby Virginia, born after Lady Dunmore arrived in the colonies.
Parquet floor on stairway landing.
Ballroom
Dining room stove, notice the color of this dining room. It was the color of the Wythe dining room and George Washington's dining room at Mount Vernon - a popular color of the times!
Storming the Palace
In the middle of the night British sailors remove the colony's gunpowder from the Magazine. The town fathers and Williamsburg Independent Company plan to march on the Governor's Palace and demand it's return.
Did the royal govenor remove the powder on orders of the British ministry? Some think yes.
Some no.
Some are undecided.
Virginians must act to defend their rights as British subjects!
Scott and I watch as the events play out. The unhappy colonists are stopped and dispersed by Govenor Dunmore. Later Lord Dunmore and his family flee in the middle of the night fearful for their safety!
Wythe House Kitchen
George Wythe House
Why would there be a circle cut out in the shutter of this window? George Wythe used the hole for his solar microscope; the image would be projected on a sheet tacked to the wall on the opposite side of the room.
Stenciled rug, common in homes but carpeting would only be in place during the winter.
Wythe's upstairs bedroom sitting area, the striped wallpaper is purple!
This wallpaper was expensive because it had to be printed multiple times, once for each color.
Meet George Wythe, teacher and mentor to Thomas Jefferson. As a prominent attorney and thinker George Wythe helped shape the revolution. He joined the faculty of the College of William and Mary becoming the first law professor.
George Wythe's desk in his study which held many scientific instruments and natural artifacts.
Wythe's downstairs bedroom, the red color shows their wealth. Red dye came from ground-up cochineal bugs! It was expensive, imported (taxed), and hard to come by so only the rich could afford things dyed red!
Trellis in the Wythe garden.
Dovecote
Basketmaker
This basket maker is mending the handle in this oak basket.
The oak baskets begin with either a square or round bottom.
Bruton Parish Church
Mr. Greycoat, lives with the basketmaker, but is relaxing on a tomb in the churchyard.
Greenhow Store
At the Greenhow Store you can purchase herbs, plants, dried fruits and other gardening products such as bird feeders and watering cans. You can also purchase a dogwood stick for brushing your teeth!
Weaver
The weaver is using a great wheel to make cotton thread for weaving into fabric.
Cotton plant
Baskets of cleaned and carded cotton.
Some of the fabrics the weavers in this shop have made; the fabric on the far right is called "linsey-woolsey".
Mary Dickinson Store
Magazine
The Magazine stores equipment necessary for protection against Indians, slave revolts, riots, and pirate raids. Dunmore ordered emptying the arsenal and disabling the muskets.
Market Square
Clerk wrapping packages for delivery.
Courthouse
Benjamin Waller read the Declaration of Independence from the steps and the Treaty of Paris ending the Revolutionary War was announced here. At the courthouse were heard the debtor's disspute with his creditor, the complaints against the pig stealer, and the apprentice's pleas for protection from an abusive master.
Pillory
Punishment was quick and often public, the stocks and whipping post stood just outside the courthouse. A pillory is placed around the arms and neck of the offender.
Stocks
Stocks go around the accused feet and sometimes hands, this stock is for 2 people.
Chowning's Tavern
Scott is looking over the Chowning Tavern menu. He ordered Brunswick stew and I had corn chowder and strawberry greens (salad).
Williamsburg Inn
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