Day 162: Looking Back

We stepped back in time today, traveling to 1775 in Colonial Williamsburg. The town of 2,000 residents was tense as the discussion between patriots and loyalists escalated into arguments and even accusations of treason. The restored town contains many structures that date to the 17th century, and actors in period costume help to set the scene for what life was like prior to the Revolutionary War. We saw where Thomas Jefferson served as a member of the House of Burgesses, Virginia's precursor to a representative government. Yet only men who were established landowners could vote; the process was a far cry from being truly representational, and the House could be dissolved at any time by the king-appointed governor.

In a half day, we covered perhaps a quarter of the town, so we plan to return to tomorrow and take in as much as our brains and feet will allow. There is so much to do and see, from touring historic structures in which we learn about the daily customs and life, to witnessing the many mini-dramas performed by actors that explain the undercurrents of the time.

Colonial Williamsburg is immediately adjacent to the campus of William & Mary, and Mom took us on a ramble down her memory lane, pointing out dorms, lecture halls and even the practice area for her field hockey. Her sorority sister Marjorie joined us for the day; our time with her has been wonderful. She has a fantastic knowledge of the campus and the restored town, and her insights added so much to our fun!

Photos:
(1) Marjorie and Mom in front of their sorority house
(2) Exploring Crim Dell on W&M's campus
(3) Crim Dell, a Japanese-inspired bridge, is one of the prettiest spots on campus.
(4-5) The beautiful Wren building, the heart of campus (and inside it, below)
(6) In Colonial Williamsburg, we toured a coffee shop and sampled hot chocolate...very rich, with hints of cinnamon and nutmeg.
(7) Kendall's verdict on the chocolate. The rest of us loved it!
(8-10) Some of our views in the restored town