Go Back in Time with a Visit to the Historical Colonial Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg transports one back in time, to a time of America’s beginning in the mid 1600-1700’s. Williamsburg is reconstructed using the style and architecture of the era, even using the original tools and construction methods to build period authentic buildings complete with authentic furnishings and re-enactors dressed in period costumes. These re-enactors speak with the diction and style of that area, and the prep, time and dedication they put into their characters is clearly portrayed in their passion in recreating history.
Williamsburg was first established as a fortified settlement between the James and York Rivers. It later became the capital after the state house in Virginia’s original capital of Jamestown burned down. The contractor Henry Cary took charge off the construction and built a H-shaped building. To prevent future fires it was built without fireplaces and candles, but when complaints were made about it being cold fireplaces were added and it burned down again. Williamsburg was not only the capital, but also a thriving, educational, and cultural center in the largest and most populated of the colonies from the period of 1699 to 1780. Williamsburg was the birthplace of many modern ideals that would shape our modern day government. The most important being, it was the place where the idea of the American Republic was born. A nation separate from British rule, A United States of America.
Today, the historical area of Williamsburg sits on three hundred and one acres of land containing eighty-eight original colonial period buildings. All which have been reconstructed on their original foundations. Some of these buildings helped inspire global trends that we still use today. Although the colonials didn’t enjoy a tall extra hot macchiato from the local Starbucks, they did enjoy coffee, tea and hot chocolate from R. Charlton’s Coffee House. Built in 1760 inspired by the coffee houses in London, England, Richard Charlton opened up his a coffee house in Williamsburg. The shop was in close proximity to the Capitol building and served as a retreat for the politicians as well as a social meeting place for the colonial residents. The building itself was built much like residential homes of the era. It had a large front porch and an upper story where the owner could live or have an office. Its wood planked exteriors were painted in a tannish color and Nantucket style shutters hung open on either side of the window. In front of the building hung a sign, painted traditionally depicting a hand pouring a cup of coffee out of a colonial silver coffee pot. Charlton’s became a place where colonists discussed this new idea of an American republic and voiced their views on breaking away from the motherland of England. The coffeehouse re-opened in 2010 and was the first building re-built on the Duke of Gloucester Street in more then fifty years. In keeping with traditions that we still partake in today the Raleigh Tavern is still a staple in Williamsburg’s social life. It was built in 1717, and Like the coffee house, it served as a social gathering place for many of the town’s event, ranging from lectures and exhibits to small dinners and company parties. It was in the upper room of the Tavern that colonial patriots met to devise a plan to boycott British goods in 1769. The tavern was the first building to be reconstructed in Williamsburg in 1932 and still serves as a public house where you can grab an authentic plate of colonial food and wash it down with a pint of your favorite beverage, still served in colonial styled cups. The exterior of the Tavern is the epitome of what one would consider colonial. When you approach the building from the street you are met with the long face of building with tall windows on either side of the large wooden door. Staying true to the style back then, each window has black shutters that stand out from the buildings white paint scheme. Saltbox windows that emerge from the slanted slope break up the grey-shingled roof. When you step inside of the tavern you are transported back in time. The traditional stained wooden tables sit on rich planked floors. A fireplace sits at one end of the building and casts a warming glow, making a cozy atmosphere to spend an evening.
One of the more unique and recognizable structures in this historical district is the Powder Magazine. The medieval castle like structure stands guard over Market Square on the village green in the middle of the town. It was built in 1716 as a place to store gunpowder, ammunition and weapons. When the French and Indian war broke out in 1755 a wall was built around the tower. In 1175 Governor Dunmore ordered Royal British marines to raid the structure, confiscating all of the gunpowder and rounds. This enraged the colonists and contributed towards their hatred for the King and the British Empire, thus fueling the fire that would be the American Revolution. The structure was rebuilt and restored in 1934 by Colonial Williamsburg and has stayed open as an exhibit. After the American Revolution, the magazine served as a stable, Confederate Armory, dance school and the Virginia Antique Museum. Preserving our past, in the way Williamsburg has, is a vital part of our Countries heritage. The time that people have taken to recreate things so that when visitors come to visit feel like there are back in that time. It lets us relive life in a very early era and appreciate those who lived before us and made great contributions to our history. The details of the architecture and furniture and items used during that time. For me gives me a whole new appreciation for antique items and the time and details they went into making them. Americans contributed so much to that time and these contributions were in the form of forming an American Republic, a country free from tyranny. Its great to know that all of these efforts have been restored to this point and that we have the opportunity to view them and take ourselves back to that time.