Town Crier, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Town Crier rings his bell to draw the attention of  passersby to announce an auction at Market Square "at 1:30 of the clock." He walked to various strategic locations on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg fulfilling his duties.

Christmas Decorations at Greenhow Store, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Each year Colonial Williamsburg decorates a number of the historic buildings in traditional colonial manner as part of its Christmas celebration which is officially started with the "Grand Illumination" on December 5.

We will post several of the decorations in the coming weeks.

Interior Of Bruton Parish Church, Part Two, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Historic Bruton Parish Church, located on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg, though not part of Colonial Williamsburg, is a history lesson on its own. 

The first photo is of the elevated pulpit with cantilever-supported sound board to project the speaker's voice.  The second photo is a bronze lectern presented to the church in 1907 by President Theodore Roosevelt in conjunction with the 300th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown. The last photo is the Governor's Pew, where the colonial governor would sit for services.

For more photos of Bruton Parish, click here and here.

Interior of Historic Bruton Parish Church, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Bruton Parish Church is a spectacular old church located on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.  It was established in 1674.  The photos above show the altar, the altar area including the organ pipes and baptismal and a shot from the rear of the sanctuary. .

To see the outside of the church and to read more about its history, click here.

This is part one of a two part series on the church.

Gentlemen in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

These gentleman show common dress for colonials as they do their jobs in Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is meticulous in its research and presents people, places and items as accurately as possible in an effort to reproduce life in the 1770's for visitors.

View from Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, Virginia

We wish all our blogging friends a blessed Thanksgiving Day  : )

Kilted tourist on the Palace Greens, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This kilted gentleman got lots of looks strolling down Duke of Gloucester Street in front of the Governor's Palace.

Colonial House With Unique Entry, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This house is on the edge of the colonial district.  Its unique entry way/gazebo with leafy roof caught our attention.

Beautiful Hand Carved German Artwork, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is a very beautiful and large 3D hand carved picture of a German celebration in one of the lovely and unique gift shops called German Gifts, in the "Germany" section of  Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia.  They also offer many German made gifts like steins, clocks, and nutcrackers.  Busch Gardens Christmas Town will begin November 26 -  December 31 - but we will talk more about this beautiful event later.

Waiting for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry, Williamsburg, Virginia

As you can see, we weren't the only ones waiting for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to cross the James River.

Cloaked Colonial In the Garden, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

As the weather changes, "colonial" residents begin to bundle against the fall chill.  This lady has donned her hooded cloak as she works in the garden.

Oversized Birdhouse, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This huge birdhouse is in the rear of the Wythe House in Colonial Williamsburg.  Wythe was a lawyer, the nations first law professor, and an extraordinarily prominent man in colonial times.

For additional photos of the Wythe house, click here and here.

Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Capitol, which sits at the East end of Duke of Gloucester Street, like a bookend mated with the College of William & Mary's Wren Building about one mile to the West, was the center of colonial government.  It is an "H" shaped building which hosted the House of Burgesses in one wing and the General Court in the other. In addition to its government functions, dinners, parties and dances occurred in the building. 

Artist on The Palace Green, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The beauty and attention to detail makes the restored colonial district a popular destination for artists of all types.  This artist set up shop on the Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg to paint a portion of the green, the Wythe House and yard, and Bruton Parish church all while chatting with a couple of tourists.

College of William and Mary Garden, Williamsburg, Virginia

This small garden with its colorful bike feature is located on the College of William and Mary campus.

John Blair House and Kitchen, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The John Blair House (left) and kitchen (right) are adjacent to a large pasture area near the College of William and Mary on Duke of Gloucester Street. Kitchens were often separated from the main house to avoid fires and also to avoid additional heat in warm Virginia summers. Blair was a legislator, lawyer and a member of the original U.S. Supreme Court, being nominated by George Washington.

The great detail and research associated with the restoration and maintenance of Colonial Williamsburg can be found in the report of the restoration of this home by clicking here.

Merchant on Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This merchant checks her wares, which include handmade wooden spoons and utensils as well as bird bottles at the open air market on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.  Below, she counts some small items in hand.

Plants and Pots in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

These beautiful colonial pots display a variety of cold weather plants for sale in Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Couple in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This couple proves that love is not the exclusive domain of the young as they hold hands, stroll, and laugh together near Bruton Parish Church on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

Climbing the Magnolia Tree, Williamsburg, Virginia

This boy knows just the thing to kill time while mom and dad browse at one of the weekend events in Williamsburg; climb the nearest magnolia tree.  The low hanging branch is almost too much to resist.

Booker Tenement House, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This small tenement house sits on the outskirts of the restored colonial district and represents a typical home of an average citizen in Williamsburg in colonial times.

Almost Secret Garden at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This small, almost secret garden is neatly tucked away on the College of William and Mary campus and easy to pass by without realizing the beauty behind the trees and fence.  Hidden among the plants and flowers are benches, walkways and a small pond with this little guy hiding in the grasses, watching the water, and daydreaming.

Historic Bruton Parish Church, Williamsburg, Virginia

Bruton Parish Church was established in 1674 with this building being completed in 1715. It's steeple enhances the skyline of the restored colonial district. It continues as a fully functioning Episcopal Church. The last photo is a photo of the wedding party exiting the church immediately after the ceremony.

The Church at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The church at Jamestown Settlement provides a peek into the religious aspect of the early colonists' lives.  Outside, the bells and thick, thatched roof seem so different from our contemporary churches. Inside is an austere but attractive altar area.  The heavy wooden pews are not comfortable, but provide a good view of the raised pulpit.  Candles are affixed to the rafters for light during evening services.

Bonnets and Hats In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the favorite purchases of visitors to Colonial Williamsburg, the restored capitol city of Virginia at the time of the American Revolution, is the bonnet for ladies and the tri-corner hat for men. Adorned with colorful ribbons, feathers and braids, they make quite the fashion statement. These are sold in the open air shop/tent near the courthouse on Duke of Gloucester Street along with a variety of other period appropriate items. It all adds to the authenticity of the visit.

Colonial Courthouse and Unique Fence, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The Colonial Courthouse is pictured here from the side of the Magazine, where the weapons and powder were kept, and its protective fencing. In colonial times, to qualify as a juror in this court one was required to be a white, adult male, and a property owner.

Preparing For Fall and Winter in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

As tourist bustle along Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg, they are oblivious to the subtle preparations for cooler weather. Many shops, taverns, and other public attractions use their chimneys as they would in colonial times.  The wood piles begin to grow in front of each of these sites.

Fall Colors in Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg gives directions to visitors beneath the newly minted fall colors of a nearby tree.

Young Colonial Dandy and Family, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This dapper young dandy checks his look on his way to the outdoor theater with his family.  As you can see, the whole family got into colonial mode for their time visiting the restored historic district, Colonial Williamsburg.