Colonial America

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Early Tuesday morning we set out for the historic area around Williamsburg (2.5 hour drive). Although there is a Historic Williamsburg, to enter and tour required a fee ($37 per). So we walked the streets, played tourist, and took photos for free, We also went on the campus of William and Mary (second only to Harvard in age). Light rain fell, but we persisted and finished our street walk and headed to the Yorktown Battlefield.

Historic areas are under the National Park Service, so access is free to Golden Eagle Pass holders (old people). We took a driving tour of the battlefield and found the open fields of battle visualizing the two sides standing in lines with muskets loaded as they advanced toward each other waiting for the command to fire. The battlefield areas were usually open fields and relatively flat in order to support the weaponry of the day with the lines of soldiers firing their muskets.

As I went through the photos, I was struck by the impact of the battle at Yorktown and how the lives deaths of the men on these battlefields solidified the tenets set forth in the Declaration of Independence. Without Yorktown there would be no United States.

Wednesday was clear and sunny as we headed to historic Jamestown established in 1607 on the banks of the James River. Again the Parks service preserved this area and has done a great job of preservation while supporting on-going archeology digs. The James river is huge at this point as it feeds into the Chesapeake Bay. Few buildings are still standing, but there is an attempt to recreate the original Fort Jamestown. Many papers, letters, and the digs provided the mapping and history of Jamestown as cash crop tobacco led to its growth and prosperity.

Again the photos set me spinning on the trials and tribulations of these early settlers of 300 years ago, yes 300 years. Much of the success of Jamestown belongs to John Smith, the commander and leader of this British experiment in the new world.

We then returned to my sisters for Chinese takeout and a great evening of memories and an occasional fabrication.

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Photos

Williamsburg
Looking down the main street of colonial Williamsburg

Bets at William & Mary
Steps of the Wren Building

Bets at William & Mary - 2
Proof of her law degree at W & M - Dreaming

Yorktown Battlefield
The deciding battle of the revolution leading to British surrender

Martin House
Yorktown surrender of 1781 signed here leading to the Paris agreement in 1783

Jamestown Monument
Commemorating the 300 year anniversary of the founding of Jamestown - 1607

Dig at Jamestown
Systematic dig to uncover artifacts and foundations of buildings at Fort Jamestown

Bets
Excavated foundation

The 3rd Traveller
Here is KC on a walk with the big dogs