2019 Spring Southern Trip: Williamsburg, Virginia

Monday, 4/1: Jamestown

It was a cool 39 degree morning today, but the sun is shining and the temps did eventually hit 50 degrees.  Today we are off to explore the historic settlement of Jamestown on Jamestown Island.  In 1607 this became the first permanent English settlement in North America with 104 colonists.  There are 2 areas to visit.  One is a re-creation of the original settlement and is administered by the Preservation Virginia Association.  That was our first stop.

Visitor Center

Visitor Center

Jamestown settlement period actor

Jamestown settlement period actor

Settlement gardens

James Fort recreation

Powhatan Village

The real story of Pocahontas is much different than the myth.

Our second stop was located about a mile away.  It is administered by The National Park Service and is the location of the original Jamestown settlement.  This site is an active archeological dig where artifacts, including human skeletons from 400 years ago, are being located and therefore giving historians insight to the actual life there.  Here is an interactive map of the original fort layout.

One of several archeological dig plots

Rehab project on the original church tower, built about
1680 when Jamestown was still the capital of Virginia.

1607 burials

 

Foundation remains of one of the original churches

Shoreline today.  Original fort extended into present day river.

That evening we sat around the fire pit for a couple drinks, and then back into the warm campers by 9:00.

Tuesday 4/2: Yorktown

It was even cooler this morning at 37 degrees, with rain forecast for the afternoon.  The good news, however, is that the forecast for tomorrow is sunny and 70.

We headed off to the Yorktown Battlefield and Museum.  Yorktown is the site of the battle, often referred to as The Siege of Yorktown that the English General Cornwallis eventually surrendered to Washington and effectively ended the Revolutionary War.  The museum was very interesting, especially the 20 minute introductory video explaining the battle.  I bought an audio car tour CD and we drove about an hour around the battlefield area, including Surrender Field where the British formally laid down their arms.  I was especially moved by the visit to the actual Moore House where the surrender terms were hammered out.  Another thing I learned was that without the French troops and fleet, Washington would have never won the battle. While I was taught about the Battle of Yorktown in high school, actually being there added a whole new respect and appreciation.  

Reconstructed portion of British Redoubt No. 10.

Battlefield bunkers

Battlefield

Moore House where surrender terms were negotiated.
It was very moving walking through this house knowing
that this is where the Revolutionary War effectively ended!!

Surrender Field

After the battlefield, we found the very small, but very popular with the locals, Yorktown Pub for lunch.  We ended the day with rain showers and left overs for dinner. 

Yorktown beach and York River, across the street from the Pub.

Wednesday, 4/3: Colonial Williamsburg

Today turned out to be a beautiful warm and sunny one.  We got to the visitor center at Colonial Williamsburg at 10:30 and purchased our tickets, about $40 per person.  The waiting line was long with lots of kids and families on Spring Break.  We chose the shuttle rather than the 15 minute walk to the park, and luckily we chose the second stop to depart.  Everyone gets off at the first stop, but by waiting we got off at the other end of the park where the crowds were small.  The entire historic park is about a mile long, and we walked down Duke of Gloucester Street, which is considered the Main Street.  There were lots of period actors explaining the activities at the various shops.  There were even a few original 200 year old buildings still standing among the recreated ones.  One was the Raleigh Tavern where Thomas Jefferson, Henry Clay and their peers would meet for beers and sow the seeds for the revolution.  While the original tavern burned in the later 1800's, this 1939 reconstruction sits on the original foundation.  Other highlights were the Capital building and the Governor's Palace.

Capital Building.  We took an informative guided tour with a period actor.

The beginning of Duke of Gloucester Street

Duke of Gloucester Street

Silversmith at work

Courthouse

Magazine Building where ammunition was stored.

For a midday break, we stopped at the Dog Street Pub for lunch and a brew.  It was warm enough to sit outside on the sidewalk.

After lunch, we continued our walk and spent some time touring the Governor's Palace and garden.

Governor's Palace

Governor's Palace entrance

Palace garden

We finally got back to the campground about 3:00, and we were exhausted.  It was a long day, but very, very interesting and enjoyable.  Colonial Williamsburg is an amazing place!

Tomorrow we are on the road again headed further south, and looking forward to Myrtle Beach in a couple days.....till then.