Millions of citizen visit historic Williamsburg, Virginia each year to contact the nation's largest living history museum. Strolling straight through its 301 acres and exploring the many buildings, homes, stores, and taverns that were reconstructed and restored to the way they were in the 18th century, visitors can step back in time to the eve of the American Revolution.
Throughout the city, interpreters work, dress and use colonial grammar. Their mission is to help us understand the daily lives of our ancestors and their roles in shaping the evolution of America's foresight of liberty, equality and democracy. The motto of Colonial Williamsburg is "that the time to come may learn from the past" and there is definitely much to learn.
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Williamsburg Replications - The Way We Were
The daily implements, tools, and tableware used by the early colonists were not only functional necessities, but added comfort, attractiveness and interest to their lives. Many reproductions of these articles are available for use in our homes, and amazingly, add the same qualities and benefits today. When we admire these representations and continue to utilize them in the ways of the colonists, we are reminded of that earlier time and the struggles and hardships our ancestors endured for their ideals. Here are examples of some of the available items that have been licensed by Colonial Williamsburg for sale as authentic reproductions or replicas of things excavated from the historic site:
The Williamsburg Bird Bottle - used in 18th century Virginia to attract birds and operate insects was hung from a tree or on the side of a building with a single nail. Made of redware pottery and modeled after an primary excavated at Colonial Williamsburg, this truly unique bird bottle is as beautiful and functional now as it was then.
Colonial tobacco jars were introduced to the American Colonies in the 18th century and were originally used to store leaf tobacco. The same jars are made today, hand-painted and fired agreeing to 17th century tradition and make lovely, unusual gifts and home décor additions that can be personalized, and still used for creative storage.
An interpretation of 18th century prints in the Williamsburg Foundation range is now featured on a set of beautiful Furber Fruit Placemats. Robert Furber was an English nurseryman who published Twelve Months of Fruits in 1732 in a brilliant presentation that can be appreciated today in this new way.
The Albermarle Huntsman Lamp and the Wager Lamp are both fashioned after horse, rider and huntsman images of the Hunt, one of the most popular historic Williamsburg pastimes. The Albermarle lamp incorporates the huntsman's horn (used to call in the hounds) and the Wager Lamp is fashioned after a colonial weather vane with galloping horse at the base.
Sarah Coke candlesticks are adapted from archeological fragments unearthed in a layer of soil that dates to the time the site was owned by the Coke house in Colonial Williamsburg. John Coke was a goldsmith and tavern keeper who died in 1767. The fragments of the antiques are now housed in the archeological offices of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
There is a painting of the Governor's Palace in Williamsburg called Williamsburg Illumination, by preponderant folk artist, Patricia Palermino. It depicts a brilliant fireworks display in front of the building and commemorates, in a crisp, wintry scene, that early celebration of life, history and the independence of our nation. Palermino prints are tiny editions and signed by the artist.
A myriad of other articles representing Colonial times like a pineapple hooked rug designed for Colonial Williamsburg, Tavern Shrub Glasses featuring a contemporary flared make found on glasses excavated at the site, and the Travis House lantern with a carrying ring for easy converyance of outdoor candle light. These are just a few examples of the many consuming articles available today in the forms of reproductions, replicas, and the use of patterns unearthed at the historic site.
The Foods and Beverages of Colonial Times
Taverns that can be visited in today's living history museum of Colonial Williamsburg feature specialized food and drink. But, you don't have to visit the actual site to sample their specialties.
The Taste of Colonial Williamsburg gift basket presents foods from the King's Arm Tavern (Sally Lunn Bread Mix) and Shield's Tavern (Syllabub Mix dessert). Also included in the basket is a Sweet Potato Muffin Mix from Christiana Campbell's Tavern. There's also a colonial Country Style Bean Soup mix made with country ham and a packet of Williamsburg Wassail Mix. You can choose Virginia Sparkling Cider from Chowning's Tavern as the beverage, or Governor's White Wine from the Williamsburg Winery. A Williamsburg-designed linen tea towel completes the package.
We can learn from the past in many separate ways - by walking straight through museums, exploring restored homes and towns, searching for authentic antiques, and reading the accounts of historians. Colonial Williamsburg offers us a new and possibly overlooked method of reaching back straight through the mist of time to understand the citizen who came before us - their ideals, goals, and visions for time to come generations - and that new method is by gift up the articles they assuredly used and cherished in their homes, businesses and daily activities.
Colonial Williamsburg is special for a host of reasons but there is still one that stands out and stands alone as the most foremost - "that the time to come may learn from the past."
Colonial Williamsburg - Messages From a Living Museum MISSIONS TRIPS TO AFRICA
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