Tatting In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia



This costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg demonstrates "tatting" to this young costumed visitor. She bides her time making lace by hand as she checks passes outside the wheelwright shop.

Jamestowne and Yorktown National Parks Open After Hurricane Irene,Yorktown and Williamsburg, Virginia

The pictures above are of Historic Jamestowne National Park.  These, and other local sites, including Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and Yorktown Battlefield National Park, have reopened after the Hurricane. 

We, personally, are well and suffered no damage, but know many did and keep them in our prayers. Thanks to all of our blogger friends for their kind comments, well-wishes and concern.

Lightfoot House Side Garden and Yard, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This bench, well, and garden tucked neatly behind a small fence are the side yard to the Lightfoot House which was built in 1730 with renovations continuing through 1750. For detailed information about the house and its renovation, click here.

Mermaid Books, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

Mermaid books is a neat little book store (used and new) in the basement of one of the Virginia ham shops at the edge of Merchants Square.  They take the mermaid - ocean life theme seriously.

Warding Off Hurricane Irene With The Fife and Drum Corps At Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This is a photo of the fife and drum corps that performs regularly in Colonial Williamsburg. It is a re-post, but given that we had an earthquake a couple days ago, will be visited by Hurricane Irene Saturday and Sunday, and are trying to settle our daughter who recently graduated from college and got her first real job five hours away, we thought you wouldn't mind. All is well, (so far) but it has been quite a week. Maybe the corps will scare away the hurricane.

The Fat Canary At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

 

The Fat Canary is one of the favorite eating establishments at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square and they have a nice outside dining area.

Made In The Shade, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This team of carriage horses took a break in the shade of  the large, live oak on the courthouse parade grounds in Colonial Williamsburg.  The area is one of the locations at which the carriages take on and let off riders.  It's a great shady spot for horses and humans.

Sheepish Grin, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This flock gathered near the fence as soon as the caretaker came near to bring a treat. They looked a little "sheepish" when they saw us photographing their rush to eat. They are part of livestock collection kept by Colonial Williamsburg.

The Cheese Shop At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the most popular dining spots around the colonial district is "The Cheese Shop" which features a variety of sandwiches, breads, specialty foods, wine, and snacks as well as a variety of cheeses, of course.

Marshall Wythe School of Law, College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

As students at the College of William and Mary return to classes, we thought we would post some of our favorite campus photos.

This is the statue of John Marshall and George Wythe for whom the law school is named. Marshall was a U.S. Supreme Court justice and Wythe a lawyer and first law professor at William and Mary.

Welcome back William and Mary law students.

Crim Dell Bridge, The College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

As students at the College of William and Mary return to classes, we thought we would post some of our favorite campus photos over the next couple of days.

This is the Crim Dell Bridge which provides a picturesque crossing of a stream in one of the wooded areas on the campus.

Welcome back William and Mary students.

The Sir Christopher Wren Building At the College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

As students at the College of William and Mary return to classes, we thought we would post some of our favorite campus photos.

This is the Sir Christoper Wren Building, the original college building with classrooms and a chapel. The first photo is the back of the building, the second is Lord Botetourt standing in the front courtyard.

Welcome back William and Mary students.

Working The Docks at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement costumed characters work just as the did in the early 1600's.  Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States. There is an active archaeological dig at the actual location on Jamestown Island and the reconstruction of the fort, ships that carried the settlers, and an Indian village representing the daily lives of the Native Americans in the area at the time.

Wythe Candy and Gourment Shop, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

Wythe Candy and Gourmet Shop at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square offers many tasty treats from chocolates and gummies to caramel apples and chocolate dipped strawberries. 

Obstacle Course At The College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

Near Lake Matoaka on the campus of the College of William and Mary, tucked away in the woods, high in the trees is the "confidence course."  From the ground it looks like fun; from the tree tops, not so much.

A Good Sign, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This lamppost and street signs are a good omen; this is the beginning a beautiful day as you enter the historic area, Colonial Williamsburg. It is the largest living history museum in the world and transports you back to the 1770's and the events leading up to the American Revolution with painstaking attention to detail and historical accuracy. Click here to learn more.

Bert And Ernie At Sesame Street Forest Of Fun, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

Bert and Ernie make regular appearances at Sesame Street Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. In addition to the show they put on each day, they pose for photos with kids of all ages.

Beautiful Landscape, Yorktown, Virginia

This gate and birdhouse are from a private residence that sits on the edge of Historic Yorktown. The pineapple was a sign of welcome in colonial times. They blend beautifully with the quaint historical town that was the site of the last great battle of the American Revolution at which Cornwallis surrendered, effectively ending the war.

Talbots, Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

We don't know about New York, London, or Tokyo, but Talbot's has a beautiful store in Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square in the little city of Williamsburg, Virginia.

Italian Masks, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

These masks from the Italy section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg are visitor favorites.

Duke Of York, Yorktown, Virginia

They say that with real estate it's all about location. The Duke Of York Hotel in Yorktown has that without question.  It sits at the base of the hills on which Historic Yorktown is nestled and all the balconies overlook the Yorktown Beach, Riverwalk Landing and the York River. To reach the beach or shops, all you need to do is walk across the street. To take a quaint tour of the area, jump on the trolley.

Carriage Traffic Jam, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These carriage drivers create the perception that the streets are full of carriages as they fill this street in Colonial Williamsburg.  While there may be four or five carriages escorting guests around the colonial district, it is usually people, not horses, who fill the streets.

The Carousel At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Carousel is a fashionable children's clothing shop at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square.
Although we don't have little children to shop for, we like their sign.

Welcome To Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

When you visit Colonial Williamsburg, you can walk through the historic area without charge, but to go inside the Governor's Palace, Capitol or other exhibits, you need a pass.  This ticket center is adjacent to Merchants Square and will help you with that.  If you buy a ticket, you can also catch one of these buses that circle the outskirts of the colonial district (so as not to interfere with the historical ambiance) or take you to the Visitor Center.  They also have runs to Jamestown and Yorktown via the Colonial Parkway. The ticket is well worth the price.

Binns At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

Binn's Fashion Shop is another of the neat stores at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square.  It's beautiful building is always fronted by seasonally appropriate landscaping.

Shady Lady, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

On a hot, sunny day in Virginia, the costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg brought her own shade in the form of this broad brimmed hat.  Not exactly certain where she got that coffee cup in 1774, but we will investigate further.

Measuring Up At Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

This "phone booth" in the England section of Busch Gardens Williamsburg is actually a height check station for the little ones. They can find out which rides they are tall enough to ride. Whether they are brave enough is a different story.

College Of William And Mary Bookstore At Merchants Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

The College of William and Mary is adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square and has its bookstore there. In addition to the beautiful location, the store is a Barnes and Noble, has a snack shop, and routinely hosts author signings. It carries a large number of local historical and related publications.