Nancy Thomas Gallery and Antiques, Yorktown, Virginia

The Nancy Thomas Gallery sells beautiful prints and other items from at the edge of the colonial district of Yorktown.  She combined talents with Claire Murray, who also has a shop in Yorktown, to make beautiful hooked rugs.  Click here to see more about their "Kindred Spirits" joint venture.

Living In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg has hundreds of restored or reconstructed buildings on its 301 acre site. The sites are interpretted by costumed employees, like the one in the first photo. The second photo shows the house from which she exited.  Employees are often given the chance to rent the homes in the historic district that are not used for public exhibition.  This lady walked from this home, around the corner to the Greenhow Store, and right to work.

President John Tyler Supporting The College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This statue of President John Tyler is located in the Tyler Family Garden on the campus of the College of William and Mary.  Despite being the tenth president of the United States and a former rector and chancellor of the college, he is also fair game for students wishing to show a little school spirit.

 Two other family members, his son, Lyon Gardiner Tyler, the 17th president of the college, and his father, John Tyler, Sr., the 18th governor of Virginia, are also depicted in the garden.

Museum on Main, Yorktown, Virginia

The Museum on Main in Yorktown and the York County Historical Museum, just down the street, provide a variety of exhibits from naval weaponry to info on local historical sites.  Outside the site, the pineapple, a sign of welcome in colonial times, and barrel provide a colonial look.  The bilge and quarter hoop of the barrel seem to have not wintered well and have fallen off.  Behind the cannon the brickwork fences are visible.

Tribe Square Construction, College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This new building for the College of William and Mary is called Tribe Square and will provide much needed housing.  We thought it looked odd to see the bricked chimney in place with the framing still bare.

Moss Covered Roofs In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is the Levingston House and Kitchen situated on the Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg. Real wood shingles are used on the roof and, when the weather is right, they tend to collect a great deal of moss, as you can see from the photos.

Yorktown Beach and The Virginia Institute of Marine Science, Yorktown, Virginia

The Yorktown beach is quiet and empty except for some sunbathing.  The large building across the York River at Gloucester Point is the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), part of the graduate school of the College of William and Mary.  The fellow swimming alone with his reflection  in the bottom photo does not seem to care if he is part of their study or not.

Gunsmith Sign, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The gunsmith is one of the many traditional colonial trades practiced in Colonial Williamsburg each having its own unique signage.

James Blair Statue At The College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This statue of Reverend James Blair stands on the campus of the College of William and Mary between Tyler Hall and Blair Hall.  It was placed there in 1993 as part of the college's tercentenary celebration.  Blair was the first president of the College of William and Mary, serving from its founding in 1693 until his death in 1743.  Despite being dead for more than 250 years, he still tries to support the college by wearing streamers in the school colors when major events take place on campus.



Great Dane At The College Of William and Mary, Willamsburg, Virginia

This Great Dane and his human appear to wait for someone outside the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg.  He didn't flinch or make a sound as the photo was taken and posed so perfectly under the William and Mary decal on the rear window.

Carrot Tree In The Cole-Diggs House, Yorktown, Virginia

The Carrot Tree is located in the Cole-Diggs House in historic Yorktown; the oldest home in town, built in 1720.  Of course, it all started with the desire to make a better carrot cake from scratch.

Lunch By The Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This colonial man took his lunch on a bench outside the Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg when the weather was much warmer.

Tomb of Thomas Nelson, Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Virginia

This is the tomb of General Thomas Nelson, Jr. on the grounds of Grace Episcopal Church in Yorktown, Virginia.  It appears to have his family crest carved into it. Nelson was a signer of the Declaration of Independence.  To see photos of his home in Yorktown, click here.

Grace Episcopal Church, Yorktown, Virginia

Grace Episcopal Church has been in service in Yorktown for more than 300 years. It was constructed in 1697 and has survived two wars and a fire.  It was the worship place of General Thomas Nelson, Jr. who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and whose home is preserved in Yorktown. 

Colonials on Duke of Gloucester, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This photo of a couple of  colonials on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg was taken in much warmer weather.

Battle of Yorktown, Revolutionary War Mural, Yorktown, Virginia

This mural of silhouettes is on a concrete wall on Read Street in historic Yorktown, Virginia, a small road connecting the Yorktown Beach and Riverwalk Landing to the historic district on the hills above. The first photo depicts soldiers on the field of battle; the second a cannon; the third, cannon and soldiers manning a redoubt; and, the last is an extended view of a larger part of the mural.

Popcornopolis At Yankee Candle, Williamsburg, Virginia

We discovered "Popcornopolis" at the Yankee Candle anchor store in Williamsburg while doing some Christmas shopping. Their flavored popcorns were yummy. 

Taking A Breather on Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This costumed colonial took a break on a bench on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg.

The Blue Bell Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This small, blue home was the "Blue Bell" tavern or ordinary, located behind the Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg.  It is a great example of colonial architecture with symmetry, small multi-paned windows and large exterior fireplace.    

Wine Weathervane, Yankee Candle, Williamsburg, Virginia

This "wine" weathervane at the Yankee Candle store caught our eye.  It's wine bottle always points to a glass of wine and fresh grapes at the ready.  

The Capitol In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg is the third building to stand here, the first two being destroyed by fire.  The original building, constructed in 1703, was the first building in the country to be called "capitol." In addition to playing host to politicians like Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Patrick Henry, it hosted grand social events like dances and suppers.

The Fife and Drums of Yorktown, Yorktown, Virginia

This is the headquarters of The Fifes and Drums of York Town, which was formed in 1976 for the Bicentennial celebration.  The young men and women of the corp perform at a wide variety of events each year.

Horse Treats, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Horses in Colonial Williamsburg are so used to the attention of tourists, they will often come running expecting a snack when one nears the fence.  Even a little grass from the other side of the fence seems to satisfy their yearning.

Street Scene, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A group of cold weather tourist enjoy the coziness of one of the colonial carriages as they roll down Duke of Gloucester Street toward the Capitol in Colonial Williamsburg, as others leisurely stroll by.

Inviting Gazebo, Williamsburg, Virginia

This gazebo looks like an inviting place to sit and enjoy the sun even on a cold winter day.