As the largest living history museum in the world, Colonial Williamsburg is the closest we can get to time travel. If you love Hamilton the musical, here is your chance to return to the Revolutionary War period. As you walk through the experience you will interact with costumed actors as they bring stories to life. As your questions pop up- ask away. Many of the actors are passionate historians and crafts people that have worked here for decades and could answer just about anything you ask. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for miles of walking or purchase a ticket for a horse drawn carriage around town. Wander in the open-air market, down the streets, and through the buildings and you will continually be surprised.
At the Governor’s Palace, you will see the high life. It was home to several governors and the first two elected governors of Virginia. If you like period design you will see high-end decorative interiors and furnishings. In the kitchen learn about foods of the time as culinary historians prepare authentic colonial dishes. If you join a tour, you will learn about his family life and the seats of power or instead wander in the garden filled with flowers or head over to the Capitol for more political history.
On the property of Peyton Randolph, the President of the First Continental Congress you will see how enslaved people lived and worked and fought for their freedom. In some yards Dominque chickens, one of the first breed of chickens developed on America run around. In other yards you will see carpenters transforming trees to lumber with simple hand tools, brickmakers and wheelwrights. You can also visit to the jail, smokehouse and dairy.
As a maker I like to spend the day visiting the trade shops and studios to watch the printers set type, wig makers forming curls, and tinsmiths bending and joining sheet metal. As the actors encourage participation join the craftspeople to dye, spin, and weave wool as sheep wait to be sheered just outside the door. At the Leather Breeches Maker observe shoes being formed out of leather by hand. It looks so easy that you will want to try it yourself at home. At the foundry observe the blacksmiths heat the red-hot iron to hammer into tools and hardware while at the foundry observe molten metal being cast into buckles, spoons, and other objects. At the silver shop silversmiths transform coins and family wealth into cups, teapots, and spoons. You will leave the craft shops with a greater appreciation of craft and the love and care that went into making objects in the pre-industrial revolution age.
In the apothecary you will see beautiful jars filled with ingredients that pharmacists mix into medicines and beauty creams. You will also hear about common medical practices. Some shops have the owner’s residence in the rear where kids can enjoy games of the time. In the cabinet shop play the harpsichord and listen to the elegant sounds it makes.
There are special performances throughout the day that activate the experience even more. Pump water as part of the fire brigade and learn how fires were put out 250 years ago. An astronomers play highlights the role of the stars in people’s lives. Typically, overlooked even Martha Washington has her own show here with a performance that focus on her decision around sending her son Jackie to college. In the March of the Fifes and Drums performance, the marching band playing patriotic songs can be heard throughout the town as they move through the streets. It is a perfect closure to the day.
One day here is enough time to have a full experience here although it will be packed in, and you will not see everything so pick and choose your favorites. If you have more time visit for two days and also take advantage of visiting the The Art Museum of Colonial Williamsburg included in the ticket price. It houses exhibits on toys, folk art, quilts, street art and art decorative furniture. A visit to Jamestown and Yorktown settlements are also close by
It is free to walk the streets ofColonial Williamsburg but if you want to go inside the houses, shops and watch the craftspeople you will need to buy a ticket. Teachers receive a discount so bring a teacher’s card or proof of employment.
