George Rex At The Dewitt Wallace Museum, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum features an eclectic blend of colonial period pieces, including this vase monogrammed for the king; "GR" for George Rex. We love the detail and color.

First Communion, Historic Jamestowne, Williamsburg, Virginia

This relief and monument at Historic Jamestowne  commemorates the first communion at the first permanent English settlement in what is now the United States. A sail was tied in the trees along the river for the event, led by the Reverend Robert Hunt ,which is the event depicted. There are a number of historic sites to see on the island including a church and archaearium along with the active archaeological dig of the fort.

Portable Lighting Colonial Style, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg carries a cresset down the street, complete with wood for burning The cresset - a woven metal basket on a pole - provides a raised light source much like a street light; only this one is more portable. 

Cormorant Hangout, Williamsburg, Virginia

These cormorants sat on giant pylon to warm themselves in the sun waiting for the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry to load the last car so they can wave goodbye.

Folk Art At The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum features a number of colorful folk art, copies of which are for sale in the museum store. This beautiful painting is part of a calendar.

Kilts and Pipes In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We caught this bagpipe and drum unit with the drums down as they waited their turn to perform at an event at Colonial Williamsburg.

Goodwill On DOG Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This guy cheerfully puffed his pipe as he carried a four-sided sign on Duke of Gloucester Street during the Christmas festivities in Colonial Williamsburg. Unlike most protesters, this fellow's sign displays a pineapple - a sign of hospitality in colonial days - and simple phrases like "Good Will To All Men" and "Hallelujah."

Suave Soldier In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This young soldier is decked out in full military regalia confidently poses near a hitching post, perhaps hoping to catch the eye of young ladies passing buy.

William And Mary Tribe Fever, Williamsburg, Virginia

At the College of William and Mary bookstore sells all things "Tribe" related. This includes clothing, decals and specialty furniture.

Meandering Minstrels, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These young musicians wondered the streets of Colonial Williamsburg in their bright costumes. Fife and drum groups perform regularly in Colonial Williamsburg.

The Brick House Tavern Guest House, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The Brick House Tavern is one of the guest houses available to rent by the public in Colonial Williamsburg. It is conveniently located on Duke of Gloucester Street; the main street in the historic district. It was rebuilt on its original 1720 foundation. The Brick House Tavern provided rooms as late as the end of the War of 1812 when an American cavalry troop quartered there.  Click here to learn more about the guest houses. 

You Caught Me! Williamsburg, Virginia

We caught this beauty scavenging around town. It looks like she might be a mommy.

A James River View Of The Surry Nuclear Power Plant, Surry, Virginia

This picture, taken from the Colonial Parkway on the Williamsburg side of the James River, shows the Surry nuclear power plant. Ironically, this modern facility is quite near Jamestown Island where the first permanent English settlement was established in what is now the United States.

Peruke Maker, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The peruke maker and barber happily waits outside his shop for the next customer. Keeping the locals stylish and their wigs in good repair made him a very important part of colonial life.  Click here to learn more about the peruke maker/barber.

Jamestown Island Marshes, Williamsburg, Virginia

The marshes around Jamestown Island create a perfect habitat for a variety of animals. This heron found a comfortable spot to wade and wait for a meal.

Beautiful Pathway, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Even out of the way paths are beautiful in Colonial Williamsburg. This path runs between two home on Duke of Gloucester Street.

Pink at Night, Sailors Delight, York River, Yorktown, Virginia

We took this photo along the York River a couple of months ago.  The colors of dusk that evening were beautiful.  

Colonial Dining And Tavern Signs of Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

One of the really enjoyable experiences in Colonial Williamsburg is dining at the taverns. Each provides unique colonial ambience and time period appropriate food served by costumed servers and highlighted with colonial characters and entertainers who occasionally wander through each dining room to interact and amuse diners.  These signs mark each tavern.  Click here for more about each tavern and its menu.

Tranquilizer Chair, Mental Hospital, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This "tranquilizer chair" was developed by a doctor in Philadelphia to restrain and treat mental patients. Evidence of the use of a similar device at the nation's first mental hospital in Williamsburg exists as a bill was recieved by the director for "fixing irons" to two chairs. The photo at the bottom is an exhibit used to show its use.

The Magic Bag, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This gent drew a great deal of attention walking the streets of Colonial Williamsburg carrying his bag on a stick over his shoulder. Everyone seemed to stop and watch him pass, wondering what could be in that bag. Could it be something magical or just his laundry?

A Gate For All Seasons, Williamsburg, Virginia

This  gate and path struck our fancy as it seemed to lead from the greens of summer through the browns and golds of fall to the barren grey of winter 

Propriety And Poultry In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This man and woman carried on a rather heated discussion about avarice and ill-will involving a landlord evicting a tenant. The lady's chickens waited patiently in a traveling basket, a captive audience to the debate and the center of attention to many on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

Special Flower, Yorktown, Virginia

As we wade through winter, patiently waiting for the colors of spring, we found this really special flower at Riverwalk Landing in Yorktown.  Not only is it colorful year round; if there's a breeze it spins and delights children of all ages.  Hmm, we must have a touch of cabin fever.

Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts And Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum present  a beautiful array of pieces such as colonial furnishings, fine and folk art, signs, firearms, crystal and much more.  

Cozy Couple, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This cozy couple strolled the streets of Colonial Williamsburg, hand in hand, and dressed to impress.

"Handy" Wax Art, Yankee Candle, Williamsburg, Virginia

We watched this girl get a wax hand sculpture made at the Yankee Candle store in a very interesting process. They covered her hand with a coating solution, had her strike the pose she wanted, then repeatedly dipped her hand alternately in melted wax and ice water to set it. After a number of dippings, they peeled the wax off like a glove. She was then able to color it as she wished. The top photo shows a completed "hand" made wax sculpture.

Family Cemetery, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This cemetery is located within Colonial Williamsburg adjacent to the Capitol.  Although clearly not an exhibit as it is completely walled in and locked, it is an interesting piece of history.

The Little House, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This small house may have been an office for a nearby business or one really cute in-law quarters.

The Keys To The Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

These keys to the King's Arms Tavern hang conveniently inside the door. The doors on the colonial buildings still have authentic locks which use the large keys.

Colonial Williamsburg Doting On The Details In Virginia

This photo of the shutters and iron work on one of the historic buildings in Colonial Williamsburg shows the detail to which the foundation goes to ensure authenticity based on significant research.  Click here to learn more about what Colonial Williamsburg is.

Happy New Year from Williamsburg, Virginia