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Enjoying Our Roots
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          What sort of place could you visit to see grown men and women wearing heavy, complicated costumes in the middle of the summer heat? Colonial Williamsburg is always full of such people. These men and women are so dedicated to history they brave the dangers of heat stroke on a regular basis. However, if one manages to ignore their suffering, there is a great time to be had exploring a living colonial town. Obviously there are many places in the area around Hampton to have good fun, but only Colonial Williamsburg manages to connect us to our roots in such vivid detail.
         The history of Williamsburg is what makes it so attractive. This isn't some cheesy theme park, it's the actual location, and quite authentic. And it doesn't let you forget. The visitor is saturated with the local lore with millions of plaques and signs. The general history is well known. In 1693 the College of William and Mary was founded in a modest settlement called Middle Plantation. Setting the stage for all future college towns, Williamsburg quickly grew into a small city by the revenue and business the school attracted. When the Capitol in Jamestown was incinerated in '98 the colonists were understandably reluctant to rebuild in the middle of such a malarial swamp. It was rebuilt in Williamsburg instead. During the revolutionary period, Patrick Henry, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson were all members of the House of Burgesses, and later met in the local Raleigh Tavern when the House was twice disbanded. After the Colonial era, Williamsburg changed with the times. Growth was driven by the ever-changing face of production. The history became buried under modern life and was confined to books and articles.
        Williamsburg was a vital 18th century player in America's revolution against unearned privilege. Isn't her restoration by a 20th century Robber Baron's son deeply ironic? J. D. Rockefeller, Jr. didn't think so!      
Courtesy Internet
The Capitol at Williamsburg is one of the few courthouses in America that still displays the Lion and the Unicorn. In addition, there were many Brittish flags on the grounds.
      According to an artictle from American Parks Network's website, Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin was a minister at the historic Bruton Parish Church in 1903. He became involved with the historical background of the church and raised funds locally to repair it. For several years Goodwin ministered in Rochester, NY. When he visited Williamsburg during a 1923 trip he saw that the quiet town he once knew was quickly becoming modern and ugly. Deciding that the entire historic site needed restoration, he managed to convince Rockefeller to share his vision (Rockefeller had an interest in several other restoration projects). The Boston architect W.G. Perry was hired to flesh out plans, while Rockefeller secretly bought up Duke of Gloucester Street property under Goodwin's name. The restoration plan was popular when it was made public in 1938, and Perry's firm set up shop nearby. During the process 88 origional and 500 new structures were restored or created, and over 600 modern buildings were torn to the ground. Today the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation works to rebuild and maintain the authentic 18th century Williamsburg. (APN Media, LLC).
       Colonial Williamsburg calls itself a living museum, but what does that mean? There are 40 exhibits, including homes, government buildings, and trade shops. But that doesn't do justice to the effort here. Consider the brick makers. Every day during the summer they slave away in a pit stomping clay into putty. It's filthy work that never ends. After their efforts have produced enough putty for a few bricks, more clay is added from an adjacent pile. And every trade is represented. There are maps at the visitor's center, but they aren't needed.Treat Williamsburg like a park, a peaceful retreat. On my trip it was facinating to just wander all day. I saw a gang of 30 colonials, complete with fifes and tri-cornered hats. They were young, from 7 though 12, but really made an enjoyable show. I sat on the roots of a gigantic tree and savored the cool shade. I found a secret path through a thicket of bamboo off the main street. There was a cannon shot! It was good to find out how quick my relfexes were, but it was embarrasing to swear and duck like a little girl. You must embrace the 18th century illusion to fully appreciate the town; this is impossible if youre in a rush to complete some checklist of buildings and museums.
       So in the end, what is it that makes Colonial Williamsburg such a fun experience? Walking around in a colonial theme park is relaxing, but the authenticity is crucial. It looks like a colonial town, its workshops are attended to like colonial shops should be, and it's in the place where a colonial town once stood. Williamsburg's illusion of time travel is firmly based in reality; much wisdom and effort went into restoration of the old town. Even bicycles and the odd parked car don't spoil the experience. This history lesson is not to be missed.
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Works Cited
APN Media, LLC. “Colonial Williamsburg History.”
American Park Network. 2001. July 18, 2005.
<http://www.americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/
cw/history/restore.html>.
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Here is a link to the American Park Network Article on the restoration.

Here is a link to the Colonial Williamsburg official website.
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