That the future may learn from the past*

Magnet #872 - Colonial Williamsburg

Good gravy, Colonial Williamsburg must have a big marketing/advertising budget. I feel like everyone's seen their ads, but when I went to go look them up on YouTube to link to them, there's like a zillion ads for them! (Also, geeky digital note here, I can't believe they own the history.org domain. Whoa!)

I dunno if you've ever been, but for the history buffs among us, it's a must-see. If you're on the East Coast within driving distance (and you like history), it's a must-see. If you're an American (and you like history), it's a must-see.

But, see it on a not-so-hot day, and not when you're expecting, because the (pregnant) BFF and I during the BFF Babymoon were shot by the end of the day. I mean, it is 300 acres to see, learn and explore. Or so the vids tell me.

Like any other living history attraction, you get out of it, what you put in it. In this case, if you want to spend the day going to all of the demonstrations, visiting the governors palace, and getting the most out of the day, you put in about $46.

Or, if you're us, you decide to park at the parking deck, and just walk around on your own.

I'd been there before when I was little, so I didn't feel as though I missed anything. I do think that BFF might have gotten a little bit more out of it by going to see all the talks, rather than us just walking down the main drag and seeing what we could see on our own.

I was happy for dayplayers dressed up in period dress, roaming the streets, making conversation and teaching the little ones. And I was happy for the bakery. And definitely the air-conditioned shops that smelled of pungent soaps and wood. And I loved that the modern comforts of vending machines and restrooms were set so far away, it really was like visiting the outhouse!

The history buff part of me wishes we'd made time for the re-enactments and the talks, but I met a bit of my own history when I stumbled into the very shop I visited when I was like 10, and found the same exact tin whistle, in the exact display with the very same orange songbook. I remember standing in front of it, begging for both, and promising to learn every song in the book,and skipping out of the shop with both in hand. Note, I didn't learn every song, but I know full well that song book's sitting with all of our other piano books at home. Crazy.

Anyway, if you've never been before, Colonial Williamsburg stays on my recommended list (along with a visit to Presidents Park up the road).

Besides, with a grand and noble tagline* like that, how could it not live up to its promise?


eta:
It occurs to me that I should have written up this post before my friends' vacation. They're down there right now, and I probably should have let on about the 300 acres...before they went roaming around.

Oops.