Colonial Williamsburg: The Capitol

The guides at Colonial Williamsburg do not hide the fact that many of the historic buildings visitors tour through are truly historic. However, their actual history dates back to the 1930s when Colonial Williamsburg was rebuilt to look like it did during the 18th century. 88 original structures remain, but many were rebuilt from the ground up. It never sunk into my head back in the 70s when I was a little tot that I was not walking through the actual historical halls where the American Revolution was brewing, but rather a 1930s idea of what they were.



You can see my shadow looming over the gates when I first arrived in town a few months ago, too late to get on a tour. The cemetery nearby was enhanced by sunset.



Below you can see a Tour Guide in authentic period garb, arriving for work. It is ironic that although many historians dispute the architecture of the rebuilt Capitol and Governor's Palace as being historically accurate, the fact remains that these versions of "what was" have become historically significant on their own as they are now over 80 years old.



Some of the furnishings are original or at least authentic to the period.



Regardless of whether the design is original or not, what occurred on the footprint of these buildings is no less significant. These reproductions can serve as a valuable tool to begin the conversation about the conflicts that drove the creation of our great nation. Lessons that are valuable and that all should be aware of so that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past.



I love the views from these windows, especially this round one.





History was announced to large audiences outside the Capitol, whereas today we watch it from the safety of our homes on a computer screen or television.



As always, I love the details, whether it be the flag waving over the Capitol...



or the rusty lock on the gate.



More Colonial Williamsburg at my main website.

Traveling Thursdays: Vintage Williamsburg, Pt. 1

A recent acquisition to the Daveland photography archive was a large set of vintage 1950's images from Williamsburg, Virginia and other historic sites. As a young lad, I was thoroughly interested in history and Williamsburg was a mecca to me. My first visit there was during the summer of 1971, and then again in 1977 on a school field trip. One of these days I hope to return...with MY camera!

The first photo in this collection shows Kenmore in nearby Fredericksburg, a Georgian-style brick mansion built by George Washington's sister Betty and her husband, Fielding Lewis.

Next I have four images of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg, built in 1722.



Thomas Jefferson & Patrick Henry were two of the Governors who lived here. In 1780, the government moved to Richmond and the Palace became a hospital until it was completely destroyed by fire a year later.



Thanks to Colonial Williamsburg, who purchased the property in 1928, the building was faithfully reconstructed and can now be seen by guests as it once was.





The George Wythe House, seen in the next two photos, belonged to George Wythe, a leader of the patriot movement in Virginia, a delegate to the Continental Congress, and Virginia’s first signer of the Declaration of Independence.



The house also served as General George Washington's headquarters just before the British siege of Yorktown, and French General Rochambeau made the home his headquarters after victory at Yorktown. In 1776, the house accommodated Virginia General Assembly delegate Thomas Jefferson and his family.



What better way to view this historic city than by carriage?



The stockade...not a good place to be "hanging around."



In the same batch is this image from the Bennington Museum in Vermont, showing a dress on display that was worn while its owner was dancing with George Washington.



See more Williamsburg, Virginia photos on my Williamsburg web page.