The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the world’s largest living history museum in Williamsburg Virginia, the restored 18th-century capital of Britain’s largest, wealthiest, and most populous outpost of empire in the New World. Named in honour of William III, King of England, Williamsburg is one of America’s oldest planned communities, and was a centre of political activity before and during the American Revolution of 1775–1783, where George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry debated taxes, slavery, and the inalienable rights of men. Funded largely by the family of John D. Rockefeller Jr. in the 1930's, the 301-acre historic area restoration of Colonial Williamsburg was launched as an interpretation of a colonial American city, with many of its historic structures rebuilt and with 'interpreters' reenacting 18th-century life, working, dressing, and talking as they would have in colonial times, preceding and during the American Revolution.
A footman outside the Governor's Palace
Here the British flag flies most of the year over the Capitol building. Women wear long dresses and ruffled caps, and men don powdered wigs. Taverns serve Colonial fare, blacksmiths and harness makers use 18th-century methods, and the local militia drills on Market Square. Clip-clopping horses draw carriages just as their ancestors did when George Washington rode these streets. Rare animal breeds, historic trades, and lovingly restored gardens add layers of wonderful authenticity to the Colonial Williamsburg experience.
Actors re-enacting outside the Governor's Palace which was the official residence of the Royal Governors of the Colony of Virginia
The Governor's Palace
The Palace garden allée
A gorgeous bed of tulips in bloom in the Palace garden
The palace kitchen with vegetable garden
Many men and women work tirelessly in Colonial Williamsburg keeping the grounds and vegetable gardens in perfect shape
A wooden bridge over a small pond at the foot of Palace Kitchen, provides irrigation for the vegetable garden
Colonial cooks making dough for biscuits
Keeping in character, the kitchen staff recount their daily life, as they prepare traditional dishes for the Palace Governor
One of the townspeople sipping a cup of ale in the heat of the afternoon
Horse and carriage clomp along Duke of Gloucester Street
Tarpley, Thompson & Company, a colonial-style tavernware shop
Fellow outside the Pasteur & Galt Apothecary Shop
The Apothecary Shop merchant explains how all of medicines were stored in drawers, bottles and jars
A Colonial-style apothecary bottle of Peruvian Bark Tincture
The colonial Post Office
The Shoemaker
Colonial townsfolk
Seamstress outside the Peyton Randolph House, originally built in 1715
The Raleigh Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street
A coachman beside his horse drawn carriage
The troops convene outside the Capitol Building
Fifers and drummers marching up Duke of Gloucester for the evening re-enactment on the common
With the onset of war in 1775, Virginia began to train an army to defend against a British invasion. Fifers and Drummers were an important part of the 18th-century military. Just as Virginia enlisted soldiers and stockpiled arms and ammunition, it also trained fifers and drummers to work with soldiers in the field. The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums – also known as the Field Music of the Virginia State Garrison Regiment – carries forward the tradition of military music.
The Continental Army convenes on the common
With the fanfare of the Williamsburg Fife and Drums, the battle ensued
A display of gunfire by the troops
Followed by the blast of cannons
At the close of "battle", the fife and drums march through Colonial Williamsburg to close the day
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