This is the fourth post of a new travel series. In this series, we are headed east starting in Wisconsin and going all the way to Virginia to see the home of George Washington and Colonial Williamsburg. To start at the beginning, go HERE where we stop in Indiana to celebrate Easter with my daughter, son-in-law, and our grandchildren.
After touring the Governor's Palace we walked down the Palace Green street heading towards Williamsburg next must-see attraction: The Capitol. However, we made a few stops along the way. 😀. We were told that any building that had an American Flag displayed outside was open to go inside. If the building did not have a flag, it wasn't open that day. The first building we saw that had a flag was a bakery/coffee shop, and they had the most delicious looking scones I ever saw in my life for only $4.00. I would have purchased one but it was so early in the morning I wasn't hungry and I didn't want to have to carry a scone all day. Boy, was that a mistake, because we didn't see anything worthwhile to eat for a long time after I saw that scone and I wished I would have purchased it and just carried it till I got hungry. I believe that building was called the "McKenzie Apothecary" so my advice, if you see that building, BUY THE SCONE! 😄
Continuing on down the Palace Green, the next open building we saw was the George Wythe House. The picture above shows the beautiful backyard.
Only a small amount of people are let in at a time. A tour guide takes you to the backyard to tell you all about George Wythe, and then you're allowed to tour the house and gardens at your leisure.
Here is the hallway where a character dressed tour guide is available to answer any questions.
George Wythe was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, delegate to the Constitutional Convention, and the first law professor in the United States. He lived in the home with his wife Elizabeth. He taught law students in his home, including Thomas Jefferson who he later became life long friends. George Washington used his home as his headquarters and likely planned the battle of Yorktown at the house. So this house has quite the history indeed!
This is the original home and it was built in 1755. Below is the dining room.
In the front parlor we were entertained by a singing trio that also played musical instruments. I've included a short video of them singing below the photograph.
Me standing at the staircase landing.
George and Elizabeth only had one child, who died in infancy, but they often took in college students, like Jefferson, who was orphaned at 16.
I couldn't believe how wide the upstairs hallway was; so different from today's narrow hallways. This hallway could have been a room in and of itself.
Back outside after our tour, we visited the Wythe's gorgeous gardens. They also had outdoor cabins which we explored. The Wythes did have 14-17 slaves which either lived at their home or on their plantation. George did free most of his slaves after his wife’s death.
This was probably their outdoor kitchen which most homes had back in the day for cooling and safety reasons.
So many of the homes had beautiful gardens and the George Wythe house was one of them. I loved this unique tree and the vine covered pathway.
Even if you can’t go inside every single building, they sure are pretty to look at from the outside too!
Next we came upon a building where they were demonstrating how they made the iron rings to go around wooden barrels and butter churns.
The wheelwright was a fun stop. We couldn’t believe how large the wheels were!
More cute colonial homes!
I loved this blue carriage!
The Colonial Williamsburg “characters” frequently walk about town engaging with guests and they are always willing to stop for a photo if you ask them. I loved this costume! Doesn’t it just scream Colonial times? So fun.
Our next stop was carpentry shop. The building that housed the carpenters was as interesting as the carpenters themselves for the house was built right over a creek!
We were told by our shuttle driver to be sure and stop by the Raleigh Tavern Bakery to buy a cookie, but by the time we got there at NOON they were all sold out. We thought that was kinda crazy to be sold out so early in the day. I was sure wishing I bought that scone I saw earlier in the morning for I was getting pretty hungry by now. The bakery also sells lots of other things like sandwiches and other baked goods but the pickings were pretty slim by the time we arrived.
I did enjoy peeking at the backyard colonial garden next door.
Our next stop was the Public Gaol or jail. This was a fun stop seeing how they kept prisoners back in the day.
A cell.
Old cell door.
Finally it was time to see the next big attraction in Colonial Williamsburg: The Capitol!
The Williamsburg Capitol was the center of British authority. Here, they debated who was entitled to justice, representation, and liberty.
This is a reconstruction built on the old foundation of the original capital building that stood from 1705 to 1747.
It never ceased to amaze me all the care and detail that went into these reconstructed buildings.
A costumed tour guide takes you through the buildings and explains the significance of each room. The photo below is the General Court.
The Governor's Council were appointed by the king or queen and served as the upper house of Virginia legislature. They considered legislation, managed several aspects of colonial affairs, and advised the governor. This body was made up of the leading members of the colon's wealthiest and most powerful families.
Along with the governor, the Council also acted as the highest civil and criminal court. They had jurisdiction over all kinds of criminal, civil, and even religious cases. Their most famous case occurred in 1718 when the a group of Blackbeard pirates were sentenced to death!
Oh, just look at that magnificent door!
The Council Chamber
This room served as a meeting place for the Governor's Council.
I loved this view of the streets of Colonial Williamsburg seen from a second story window.
The Conference Room
This room was used as a joint meeting place for joint committees of the House of Burgess and the Governor's Council. It was considered "neutral ground" where members of both parties could come together and discuss issues.
The Committee Room
Another room for both parties to discuss and debate issue in a neutral spot in the Capitol.
House of Burgess
The House of Burgesses was the lower branch of colonial Virginia's General Assembly, elected by property-owners.
Looking back in the House of Burgess from the view of the Speaker's Chair.
The Capitol was a very educational and esthetically beautiful building where we learned all about the colony's judicial system and government. It is a must-see attraction if you are ever in Colonial Williamsburg.
Next week I will cover Colonial Williamsburg's next big highlight: The Courthouse, along with other fun attractions along the way.
Have A Great Day! Amy
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See these posts for more information on Colonial Williamsburg:
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