Merchants Square Farmers Market And Dogs, Williamsburg, Virginia

You always know when it's market day at Merchants Square because the smell of food, flowers, and craft glue wafts through the air and the dogs are out in full force to take it all in. The market is open every Saturday morning from Spring through Fall. 

Talbot's Window Box At Merchants Square, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamburg, Virginia

In keeping with the season and burgeoning flower population, Talbot's at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchants Square takes advantage of its flower box and beautiful display window to show case some of it wares.

Bowden-Armistead House, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Bowden-Armistead House is a beautiful Greek Revival structure on Duke of Gloucester Street in historic Colonial Williamsburg. It is a private residence and, despite its location it was built just before the Civil War. Lemuel Bowden, the builder, was later elected to the US Senate.  Articles on the Colonial Williamsburg website indicate that when it was completed, his mother refused to live in the home with him as she was a strict secessionist and he was a Union sympathizer.  Despite not being a "colonial" structure, this property draws a great deal of attention from passing tourists.

Flowers And Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

These flowers are blooming on the campus of The College of William and Mary as the weather warms. Gardening and the beauty it creates is a major endeavor locally.  In addition to these, Colonial Williamsburg maintains a number of world class gardens and offer garden tours throughout the Spring and Summer, some of which are now in progress. Click here to learn more about the tours.

Greenhow Store, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Greenhow Store in Colonial Williamsburg offers a variety of colonial items similar to those sold by Mr. Greenhow in the 18th century including wrought iron, willow baskets, fabrics, tinware, and porcelain. 

Indian School At The College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is "The Brafferton" on the campus of the College of William and Mary.  In 1697, four years after the college's founding, an Indian school was started in an effort to educate young Indian men in reading, writing arithmetic, and the principles of Christianity. In 1711, "tributes" were paid to area tribes who sent students although tribes outside Virginia also sent student.s This building was constructed in 1723 to house the school.  The small building in the second photo is the kitchen for this building. The American Revolution in 1776 cut off the financing and the school closed shortly thereafter.

The building now hosts the office of the President and Provost of the college.

Hartwell Perry Tavern, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

As indicated on the Colonial Williamsburg's electronic map, "Hartwell Perry owned and operated an "ordinary," as colonial taverns were sometimes called, on this site from the mid-1780s until he died about 1800. The sign out front is a "rebus." It depicts a deer, a well, and several pears. "Hart" is another name for a deer, and an alcoholic beverage made from pears is called "perry", so the sign stands for Hartwell Perry. The building is not open to the public."

The Almost Secret Garden Revisited, College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

Previously, we posted photos of an area of the College of William and Mary we dubbed "The Almost Secret Garden."  We revisited the area Saturday and found it beginning to blossom with the Spring rain and slowly warming weather. It is not as densely flowered yet, but still beautiful.

Bald Cypress On The James River, Williamsburg, Virginia

This bald cypress tree stands in the water at the edge of the James River waiting patiently for the warmth of summer and the many visitors to its beach.  Bald Cypress trees have roots that spread out from the trunk and then  down into the water. When the tide is out, you can see the "knees" of the tree much better. This beach is at "Archer's Hope" on the Colonial Parkway.

The Whaling Company, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Whaling Company is a local restaurant whose nautical architecture we really like. Even the lamps in the parking lot have a nautical feel.  Of course, they specialize in seafood. 

Red Lion Inn, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Red Lion Inn on Duke of Gloucester Street in Colonial Williamsburg is a beautiful brick structure with a wall surrounding its garden area.  Its sign is neatly nestled in the branches of a live oak tree. Although it was one of the first "publick houses" in Williamsburg, unfortunately, its distance from the capitol made it less than profitable during colonial times. Historical research reveals it likely had a billiard room at the rear at one time and, due to litigation, in the 18th century, drawings and other information about the property are available.

It is a private residence and not open to the public.

Jamestown Settlement's Replica Ships, Williamsburg, Virginia

Jamestown Settlement's replicas of the ships that brought John Smith and the other settlers to Virginia in 1607 as seen from the entry to Jamestown Island where you will find Historic Jamestowne.  Both locales are open to visitors throughout the year. 

Jamestown Settlement features a great museum, an indian village, a replica of the original fort and, of course, the ships.

Historic Jamestowne has an archaearium, church, and an active archaeological dig of actual fort.

Archeaological Dig And Reconstruction Of The Blacksmith Shop And Public Armory, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg is doing an archaeological dig and reconstruction of the blacksmith shop and public armory. Updates and information can be found here.  Webcam shots of the project can be viewed here.

Citroen On The Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, Virginia

On a warm day a week or so ago, we saw this Citroen 2CV Charleston driving the Colonial Parkway. The parkway is a magnet for all types of vehicles because of its proximity to the rivers, country type atmosphere and lack of commercial traffic.

Creepy Trees, Williamsburg, Virginia

These twisted, gnarled trees on Francis Street create a creepy, Halloween feel. The trunks are split and hollow but the tree is alive and well and will soon fill with foliage. 

End Of The Day, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This Colonial Williamsburg costumed employee, complete with period mug, heads off at the end of the work day. As winter wanes, the woodpiles dwindle; a hopeful sign that spring will soon take a firm hold.

Wooden Wagon, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This wooden wagon is on the common area behind the courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg; Peyton Randolph's house is behind. The tradesmen, who portray their colonial counterparts, build many of this type of historic implement in the historic district.

Bikers On The Colonial Parkway, Williamsburg, Virginia

  

As the weather warms, bikers of all types make their way onto the Colonial Parkway for a scenic ride along the river. The Colonial Parkway stretches from Jamestown to Yorktown going under Colonial Williamsburg and along both the James and York Rivers for about 25 miles. 

Swem Library Garden And Sundial, College of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

Even without foliage on the crepe myrtles, the sundial and round garden in front of the Swem Library on the campus of the College of William and Mary creates a beautiful open area.

Spring Lambs in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Each spring the sheep population of Colonial Williamsburg increases with the birth of a new generation of lambs. This little guy was so intent on munching his dinner he didn't bother to look up; his mother, on the other hand, watched quite carefully.

Portico At The College Of William And Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

This portico on the campus of The College of William and Mary provides an attractive shelter from the weather as students walk from their dorm to classes.

Spring Has Sprung In Williamsburg, Virginia

These photos were all taken yesterday as the signs of spring are beginning to blossom all around the area.

Winter Carriage Ride, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Despite the unusually cold winter this year, carriage rides continue in the historic district. With driver, team and coach donning their colonial best, these ladies are given a chilly yet enchanting ride.  We particularly like the detail and luggage on the rear of the carriage.

Fountain in Germany, Busch Gardens Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This fountain in Busch Gardens Williamsburg is located in the Rhinefeld Village portion of Germany and is a photo-favorite. Busch Gardens opens to those who purchased season passes tomorrow and to the general public next Saturday.  Unfortunately, the new Mach Tower ride will not be up and running until later in the Spring.  This photo is from last summer.

Mystery In Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

A mysterious set of foot prints was left on the Palace Green in Colonial Williamsburg.  They have begun to narrow down the suspect list, as you can see, above.