Dance Circle in the Powatan Indian Village, Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Indian Dance Circle is part of the recreated Powhatan Village at Jamestown Settlement. It was used for various celebrations. You can see a picture of a John White painting of an Indian Dance Circle here.

Virginia Indian Heritage Day at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia, (continued)

These are additional photos from the Virginia Indian Heritage Day at Jamestown Settlement.

Virginia Indian Heritage Day at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

Virginia Indian Heritage Day at Jamestown Settlement is a celebration of the tribes native to Virginia. These tribes link themselves to the Powhatans who met the English settlers at Jamestown in 1607. Among the groups represented at the event were the Mattoponi, Chickahominy and Pamunkey who shared their customs, history, and culture through dance. 

The day also included a panel discussion presented by tribal leaders and academicians regarding the "Werowocomoco: Seat of Power" exhibit currently on display at the Jamestown Settlement gallery. Werowocomoco was the seat of power for Powhatan and the location where Pocahontas is said to have saved Captain John Smith's life.

Colonial Merchandise, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Here is a peek inside some of the colonial merchant shops where they sell souvenirs as well as high quality and sometimes hand crafted reproductions.  These shops scattered throughout Colonial Williamsburg are a blast to shop or browse in.

America's First Mental Hospital, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Public Hospital was the first public building in North America dedicated to the treatment of the mentally ill.  Prior to its completion in 1773, local church groups and the infirmed person's family did their best to take care of them.  At times, the severity of the illness was more than they could handle. 

In 1766, Governor Fauquier asked the House of Burgesses to remedy the situation of "a poor unhappy set of people who are deprived of their senses and wander about the countryside, terrifying the rest of their fellow creatures." He asked for a hospital, staffed by doctors who would "endeavour to restore to them their lost reason."  The burgesses apparently did not see the need.

Governor Fauquier decided to make his point by having some folks who clearly would have qualified as patients held in the Public Gaol. On June 4, 1770, the legislators adopted an act to "Make Provision for the Support and Maintenance of Ideots, Lunaticks, and other Persons of unsound Minds." 

The original Public Hospital was destroyed by fire, the debris was pushed into the basment and covered. The new hosptial was built next to it on the site. When the hospital, now known as Eastern State Hospital,  relocated to land donated to it by John Rockefeller, Jr., an archealogical dig occurred on the site to uncover the original reopened on June 8, 1985, foundations and it was rebuilt. with six exhibition cells in the first floor of the east wing and staff offices on the second story. From the west wing an underground hall leads to the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.

The hospital can be seen in the movie, John Adams, along with many other scenes shot in Colonial Williamsburg.

Colonial Garden and Bruton Parish Church, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Virginia

A view of the Bruton Parish Church from the Colonial garden in Colonial Williamsburg.

The Shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The shoemaker was a common trade in colonial days and one that existed in the colony as early as 1610. Shoes were made as stock or specially orderd to fit one's feet. The tools were simple and the product, particularly riding boots, were highly prized.

The shoemaker at Colonial Williamsburg advises that one should expect to spend a day's pay for a pair of shoes.

The Magazine At Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Magazine at Colonial Williamsburg is an unusual octagonal building with a narrow, spiral staircase to the second floor. Immediately adjacent is the guardhouse (foreground of the top photo). It is surrounded by a wall which creates a small courtyard.  Inside, on the ground floor, are barrels of gunpowder.  On the second floor is a multitude of pistols, guns and ammunition representing those stored by the residents in colonial times.

The Magazine was built in 1715 by Governor Spotswood to store equipment needed for the local residents to protect themselves against indians, slave revolts, pirate raids, and threats of like manner. Lord Dunsmore's April 1775 order for Royal Marines to empty the arsenal and disable the muskets was the spark that ignited the revolution in Virginia, much as Lexington and Concord did in Massachusetts.

Dunsmore may have reacted to Patrick Henry's March 23, 1775, speech to the Second Virginia Convention in Richmond urging every county to organize a volunteer cavalry or infantry. The finale to his speech was then and is now a rallying cry against tyranny; "Give me liberty, or give me death."

Ships at Jamestown Settlement, Williamsburg, Virginia

On December 20, 1606, three small wooden ships made their way across the Atlantic Ocean, into the Chesapeake Bay, and up the James River landing on May 13, 1607, to found what is the first permanent English settlement in the United States.  Jamestown Settlement's replicas of the Susan Constant, Godspeed, and Discovery are visitor favorites. 

The largest, the Susan Constant, had a deck length of 82 feet, beam width of 24 feet 10 inches, and carried 71 people and cargo; the Godspeed had a deck length of 65 feet 5 inches, beam width of 17 feet, and carried 52 people and cargo; and, the Discovery had a deck length of 50 feet 10 inches, a beam width of 14 feet, and carried 21 people and cargo.  The replicas can be toured each day.

On occasion, the ships sail to various destinations to take part in events.

Goose at Jamestown Island, Williamsburg, Virginia

The views along the James River are so beautiful even the geese enjoy the veiw from Historic Jamestown Island.  She is basking in the sun watching the Jamestown-Scotland Ferry arriving at the pier.  In the background you can see the entry way with cars waiting to board.

Colonial Merchants at Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial merchants preparing their wares for sale under the tent on Duke of Glouster Street across from the Colonial Courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg.

Yorktown Beach at Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

In addition to the historic district and Riverwalk Landing, there is a beautiful beach at Yorktown on the York River just before it joins the Chesapeake Bay.  The Yorktown Beach is a popular spot for families and includes a fishing pier and large grassy picnic area.  The York River is a tidal river and blends salt and fresh water, known as "brackish." 

The Cheese Shop, Merchant's Square, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Cheese Shop is a popular restaurant at Colonial Williamsburg's Merchant Square. They sell a variety of deli foods, soups, salads, and, of course, cheese along with wines and beers.  It's a great place to sit, relax, and enjoy a bite.

Williamsburg Inn, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

The Williamsburg Inn was John D. Rockefeller, Jr.'s vision of luxury accomodations in Colonial Williamsburg.  It was completed in 1937, taking about one year.  With the success of Colonial Williamsburg, a 301 acre living museum, visitors were beginning to come to the area; many friends of Rockefellers.  The rooms were luxurious and comfortable with the feel of a country estate.  The Inn was the first hotel in America to have central air conditioning.


The Inn has played host to world leaders, including Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip –
in 1957 and again in 2007 – Sir Winston Churchill, General Dwight Eisenhower, President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush, Emperor Hirohito of Japan. In 1983, the Inn was the site of the historic International Summit of Industrialized Nations, hosted by President Ronald Reagan, the summit brought together eight world leaders: Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau of Canada; Chancellor Helmut Kohl of Germany; President Francois Mitterrand of France; Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone of Japan; Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Great Britain; Prime Minister Amintore Fanfani of Italy; and President Gaston Thorn of the European Community.  Other notable guests include Shirley Temple, Christopher Plummer, Bill Cosby, Tom Selleck, Jane Pauley, Garry Trudeau, John Travolta, Al Roker, Willard Scott and Matt Lauer.


The Inn is located immediately adjacent to the historic district.

Yorktown Trolley, Yorktown, Virginia

The Yorktown Trolley is a fun and unique way to get around Yorktown.  It travels a loop that includes the historic district, the beach, the Yorktown Battlefield, Yorktown Victory Center, and Riverwalk Landing.  And, it's free!

Jamestown Pie Company, Williamsburg, Virginia

In a small, unassuming building on Jamestown Road incredible food is made every day.  The Jamestown Pie Company is a local favorite, making pies of all types; pizza, nut, pot pie, key lime, custard, fruit, and pecan, to name just a few. They now have a second location at Oyster Point in Newport News and we also see them at the Williamsburg Farmers Market at Merchant Square.

Their motto is, "Because Round Food is Good Food." And, it is good.

Festhaus, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

Festhaus is a massive beer garden, restaurant, and show venue at Busch Gardens Williamsburg. "This is Oktoberfest" is a showcase of German folk music and dance in authentic costumes with a Bavarian band. All of this can be enjoyed while you feast on traditional German meals of bratwurst, sauerkraut, and more. This season, they added a coffee shop.

First Baptist Church, Williamsburg, Virginia

The First Baptist Church is the culmination of efforts by slaves and free blacks who wanted to worship outside Bruton Parish church, which was segregated.  After meeting in secret at various locations, it was organized and began meeting in a carriage house in 1776.  It has been at this location since 1956

Patriot Tours And Provisions, Riverwalk Landing, Yorktown, Virginia

While spending another great day at Yorktown beach, we checked out a new business that just opened at Riverwalk Landing called "Patriot Tours and Provisions."  This new shop gives Segway historic tours and tours just to look around beautiful, historic Yorktown. In the picture above, our daughter is checking out how easy it is to use. The tours are 45 and 90 minutes long and very reasonably priced.  We are looking forward to planning a day to go back and take a family Segway tour.   Patriot Tours also rents bikes, and all sorts of beach supplies for a great day on the water.  We wish them well.

Quadricentennial Plaza, Jamestown Settlment, Williamsburg, Virginia

Quadricentennial Plaza is a tribute to the 400th anniversary of the founding of Jamestown in 1607.  It includes a fountain fashioned as a boat and flags around the plaza representing the 50 states. Each flagpole includes a plaque with information about the state.

Jamestown Settlement is a reproduction of the original fort, an indian village representing the natives present at the time, and reproductions of the three ships that brought the settlers to Jamestown.  The site also includes an fantastic gallery with artworks and exhibits. Jamestown is the first permanent English settlement in what is now the U.S.A.

The celebration in 2007 included the dedication of this plaza as the new entry way to the settlement and visits by dignitaries including President Bush and the Queen Elizabeth II.  A newsletter with photos and descriptions can be found here.

College of William and Mary Alumni Association Building, Williamburg, Virginia

The College of William and Mary Alumni House, which incorporates the original 1871 building, has grown through the years so that it can house large events such as receptions and conferences.  The Canada Goose statue was created by an alumnus, David H. Turner, and stands in one of the garden areas on the impressive grounds.

Zable Stadium at William and Mary College, Williamsburg Virginia

Zable Stadium at the College of William and Mary is a beautiful sports facility. Originally constructed in 1935, conspiracy theorists have claimed some slight of hand occurred in getting the funding. Sports facilities were not eligible for funding through the Public Works Administration and it has been suggested that the college disguised the construction as an agricultural exposition center to qualify for the grant. As a result of gifts exceeding $16 million dollars by he and his wife, Betty, the stadium was officially named "Walter J. Zable Stadium" in honor of the former track and football star during his time at William and Mary. 

The top photo is the stadium from the area nearest Alumni Hall.  The bottom photo is the field goal kicker practicing and hitting a twenty yarder.

Sesame Street Forest of Fun, Busch Gardens, Williamsburg, Virginia

Elmo and his gang from Sesame Steet perform daily at Sesame Street Forest of Fun at Busch Gardens. In addition to their singing and dancing duties, these characters pose for photos with children throughout day.  When the show is not in progress, the area beneath the stage is a water park.

Williamsburg Regional Library, Williamsburg, Virginia

This is the Scotland Street branch of the Williamsburg Regional Library, which just celebrated its 100th birthday.  It has developed a beautiful campus for the more than 380,000 books, videos and other media the system maintains for public use.  From top to bottom is a court yard with statue; books in a carrying strap statue; an open book statue; and, a statue of George Washington outside the entry way to the library. 

Fife and Drum Painted Van, Williamsburg, Virginia

This van, adorned with a fife and drum corps mural, is parked outside the Williamsburg General Store on Richmond Road.  It's a great advertisement for the corps and very eye catching to passersby.