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morgaine
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USA
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May 19 2002
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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 Posted - January 31 2003 : 11:00:21 PM
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| Thanks, Morgaine! Very interesting. It was nice to get back to the Williamsburg website again. Man! I have got to get down to that place sometime! I would so love to see it. |
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morgaine
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Posted - January 31 2003 : 11:40:45 PM
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| Oh,Wilderness Woman! I am so glad that you liked this. I am devoted to Colonial Williamsburg and hope that you will visit there someday. It is incredible. I go often and always look forward to being in the 18th century again. |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - February 01 2003 : 08:33:28 AM
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I, too, would love the visit Colonial Williamsburg. A few years ago we had a team from there come to our middle school to teach and work with our fifth grade students as we were preparing to set up our own colonial village for a two day event. Our village was quite impressive, the students were actually little reenactors for two days and they learned so much by doing this "hands on" project. I receive their catalogue and have a few items from there in my home. Thanks, Morgaine.
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Theresa |
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morgaine
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Posted - February 01 2003 : 4:29:00 PM
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Hi, Theresa. The colonial village school project must have been wonderful. I know that the CW people made it unforgettable--they are some of the best people I know. I love to shop in Colonial Williamsburg too. I usually visit twice a year. I find that there is always a moment for me when the present recedes and the 18th century takes over. Shields Tavern always makes me think of LOTM. It has a rustic atmosphere and makes me think of the frontier.
I always want people to understand that Colonial Williamsburg is a museum, NOT Disneyworld. I go there for the 18th century experience. Roses to you and Wilderness Woman for appreciating my favorite place.
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - February 01 2003 : 5:06:35 PM
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Morgaine,
I have their wall calendar in my kitchen. February's picture is of snow-covered roofs and grounds with a rear view of the Orlando Jones House. Absolutely beautiful. This Christmas I ordered some of their scented pine cones to distribute around my house.
Our Colonial Village was a LOT of work but very rewarding. We did this project for four years and each year we had a Williamsburg team to come and teach us over a three day period. They were wonderful. I truly hope to make it there someday, I hear it's breathtaking at Christmas.
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Theresa |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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November 27 2002
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 Posted - February 01 2003 : 5:40:18 PM
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Thanks for the bouquet of roses, Morgaine!
I also appreciated your comment about Williamsburg being a museum, not Disneyworld. Because, I actually have wondered if perhaps it is getting too commercialized? I am afraid that I will get there and will have expectations that are too great, and that I will be disappointed. But your comment leads me to believe that this would not be so.
I am curious as to how you have happened to become so attached or involved with it? Have you worked there? Know someone who works there? Tell us about it! I'm interested!
WW
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morgaine
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Posted - February 01 2003 : 10:45:23 PM
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Good evening, Theresa and Wilderness Woman.
I am always happy to write about Colonial Williamsburg. I have been visiting CW for many years--ever since my first visit when I was a child. I have always known it is "my place". I still have my quill pen from that first visit. For quite a few years, I have been a member of one of their donor societies and have gotten to know quite a few of the people at the CW Foundation. I even attended the 75th Anniversary of the Restoration. (That occurred a couple of weeks after September 11.) There is video of that on the CW site.
http://www.history.org/Media/movies/75th.cfm
My connection with CW is the most important thing to me. Theresa, I think the Electronic Field Trip Program is wonderful. Have you had any experience with that?
Yes, it is breathtaking at Christmas. I was just there in December (right before Christmas) and enjoyed the beautiful decorations made with apples, pineapples, pomegranates, etc. The concerts and special holiday programs are wonderful. I attended a concert of music played on Ben Franklin's invention, the glass armonica as well as a candlelit concert in the Governor's Palace. I also attended a ball given by the Royal Governor at the Palace which is illuminated by flaming cressets. You are a spectator but the Palace is filled with the people of the past who interact with you. There is card playing, music and dancing (minuets and country dances) and the Royal Governor, Lord Dunmore announces the name of his new baby at the end of the evening and the evening ends with the singing of "God Save the King". It is incredible and lots of fun. In the evening, different sections of town are illuminated with flaming cressets. There is music from the fifes and drums and everyone sings Christmas carols.
No, Wilderness Woman, I do not think that CW has become commercialized. I am enough of an insider to know. Are there lots of opportunities to spend your money? Yes, yes, yes. But, the Williamsburg experience is still to let the future learn from the past. The experience is what you make it. Their attention to detail, the incredible portrayals of the people of the past, the opportunity to see how the great issues of 18th century America are still relevant today, how we still consider the same questions they did--all these things make the Williamsburg experience unforgettable and show us why our system works. It is like that beautifully lit scene (that is like a painting)in LOTM where the colonials confront Munro and Hayward. Programs deal with religious freedom, slavery, family life, consumerism, foodways, the courts, women's issues, etc. With each visit, I become more appreciative of the gift of America given to us by those people of the 18th century.
How is that?
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CT•Ranger
Colonial Militia
USA
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October 14 2002
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Posted - February 01 2003 : 10:55:05 PM
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Personally I like the place, I was there once about 8 years ago.
I've had several museum studies, historic preservation and archaeology professors at the university who are quite critical of Williamsburg's commercialization, and white washed "disneyesque" portrayal of history, it's just too clean. I believe they have a point, but I still like the place. I've heard stories in my classes about visitors becoming upset if the paint on the buildings is peeling a little and not freshly painted. Or visitors objecting to historical trash or bad smells. And there's always the issue of the representation of blacks, despite Williamsburg's efforts, there's still not enough slavery portrayed to be realistic, because it's unpleasent for the majority of visitors. It's a very problematic issue.
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YMHS,
Connecticut•Ranger
Thomas Thacher
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morgaine
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Posted - February 02 2003 : 12:25:17 AM
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I'm so glad that you liked Williamsburg. I am always critical of those professors, etc. who want to criticize all of the time. It is not disneyesque.
Williamsburg is constantly evolving. As they learn more, they make the necessary changes. It has changed in the last eight years. There is alot more emphasis on African-Americans and Native Americans. Check out this link at PBS/Scientific American Frontiers. You can watch the segment on CW.
http://www.pbs.org/saf/1301/video/watchonline.htm?user6=pbs-saf&template6=publishmain.html&query6=scientific american&squery6=squery%3D%252BClipID%3A3%2B%252BVideoAsset%3Apbssaf1301&select5=1300523&submit6=GO
As you say, slavery is a problematic issue. I think that you will never be able to please everyone. I know too that I have learned so much by attending some of the African-American programming. I have met the manservants of Washington and Jefferson. I have seen how a man's slave mistress reacts to his upcoming marriage and how his fiancee reacts when she discovers he has had a child with his slave. I have listened to slaves deciding whether they ought to join to fight with the British who have promised them freedom or remain where they are. And I have listened to African music at the slave quarter at Carter's Grove and the Wythe House. I have listened to another slave tell of how he longs to spend Christmas with the woman he loves but is not permitted to do that. That is just a sample of what Williamsburg offers. I guess I don't know what more they are supposed to do.
There is also a tenement that shows how the majority of people lived and free blacks lived there also.
I hope, CT Ranger, that you will visit there again. |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
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Posted - February 02 2003 : 10:04:59 AM
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I remember hearing stories from our librarian and head social studies teacher about their trip and research there prior to preparing our students for the colonial village project. They've told of the "behind the scenes" tour educators are allowed to participate in and about the excavation that was currently taking place at a homestead that had been discovered and how they could tell what types food they ate based on some of the findings. Also, to know you were standing on the very grounds that our Founding Fathers stood on was quite surreal. I'm definitely going to have to put CW on my list of places to someday visit.
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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November 27 2002
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 Posted - February 02 2003 : 3:37:14 PM
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"How is that?" Just wonderful, Morgaine! Isn't it fun to have a "passion" about something? CW is obviously your passion. Reading what you have written about CW, the programs you have described, has made me more determined than ever to get down there soon.
Believe it or not, Home and Garden Television did a special a year or so ago about Christmastime at CW. They specifically showed all about all of the beautiful greenery and fruit arrangements. And it was either that same show or something else that featured Mr. Franklin's interesting glass musical instrument. I had never heard about it before then.
Thanks so much for sharing your passion with us.
Ciao. WW |
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morgaine
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Posted - February 02 2003 : 7:48:30 PM
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It was so nice to read your comments, Theresa and Wilderness Woman. You understand me and CW exactly. It is my passion. Thank you for saying that!!!
Yes, if you are lucky enough to have a behind the scenes tour, it is a special experience. I know that CW places great importance on working with America's teachers. Once, I was able to go down to the basement of the Capitol and see the original foundations and to go up into the cupola for a great view of Duke of Gloucester Street.
I didn't see that HGTV special but I have heard of it. Dean Shostak who plays the glass armonica is an incredible musician. There are only about eight people in the world who play the glass armonica. That is his passion.
I hope that both of you will be able to visit CW someday. I think our love of LOTM gives us a special bond with the 18th century.
On a lighter note, I always have a fantasy of what it would be like to see Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingachgook striding down the streets of Williamsburg! |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
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Posted - February 04 2003 : 08:04:53 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by morgaine
On a lighter note, I always have a fantasy of what it would be like to see Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingachgook striding down the streets of Williamsburg!
Aye! That would be wonderful, indeed! (Though they would appear to be out of their element.) 'Tis my belief that recovery from that would be quite impossible! |
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Theresa
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Posted - February 04 2003 : 5:12:06 PM
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W.W.
There is a picture in today's Birmingham News of a Thomas Jefferson personality from Colonial Williamsburg here at our American Village, which is the very small scale beginnings of a colonial village that has become quite the tourist attraction in its own right. It is located in Montevallo, Al. and this gentleman is here conducting a workshop with colonial intrepreters at the American Village. Our fifth grade students will be taking a field trip there at the end of March. This Thomas Jefferson interpreter's name is Bill Barker.
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morgaine
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Posted - February 04 2003 : 7:56:03 PM
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Hi, Theresa.
I went to the web site for the Birmingham News hoping to see the picture you mentioned. I couldn't find it--maybe I don't know where to look?. Do you know if it is there?
I did a little exploring about Montevallo and the American Village. It looks very interesting. |
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Theresa
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Posted - February 04 2003 : 10:14:12 PM
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Hey Morgaine,
I don't know where to lead you to find this photo. It was in the MetroState section page 3B. They probably didn't post it on the website....you know here in Alabama unless it's football, it's not important.
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Theresa |
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morgaine
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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November 27 2002
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 Posted - February 20 2003 : 08:51:19 AM
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Morgaine!
You will never guess what I got in the mail yesterday!! Give up? I got a mailing from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, with an invitation to join in support of them. No kidding!! I had sent off for some information on Virginia a while back, so that must be how they got my name and address.
So, today I am sending off my $35.00 donation (wish it could be much more), which will enable me to receive their quarterly magazine. And I am absolutely delighted! |
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Theresa
Bumppo's Tavern Proprietress
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Posted - February 20 2003 : 5:32:11 PM
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| I GOT ONE TOO!! Did you get the notecards and return address labels? |
Theresa |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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November 27 2002
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Posted - February 20 2003 : 6:05:31 PM
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| Yes I did! They're too pretty to send out! I wanna keep 'em! |
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Scott Bubar
Colonial Militia
USA
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May 17 2002
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Posted - February 20 2003 : 8:06:28 PM
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I have to confess to rather ambivalent feelings about Williamsburg.
I love the place, but it annoys me as well, and it's increasingly Disneyesque.
God, I feel like a Frenchman. |
~~Aim small, miss small. |
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morgaine
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Posted - February 20 2003 : 9:42:19 PM
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Good evening, everyone.
I am so glad, Wilderness Woman and Theresa, that you both received a gift from Colonial Williamsburg. WW, you won't regret making a contribution; the Journal is wonderful. Now, we have something in common.
Scott, I am glad that you said that you loved the place, but I can not agree when you call it Disneyesque. Do you know that some visitors have actually been disappointed when they come to Williamsburg and discover that it is not an amusement park and that there are no rides?
Is it my imagination or do men just have a hard time simply liking something? Does there have to be something negative here?  |
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Seamus
Guardian of Heaven's Gate
USA
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Posted - February 21 2003 : 2:52:41 PM
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Well, Girls, maybe it ain't Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingachgook walking down Duke of Gloucester Street, but would you settle for Seamus, Johann Getz, the gunsmith, and Ranger Kuhns?
That's me in the top center, and on the lower right.
We go there often and roam the streets, with a story concocted to rationalize our reason for being there and so obviously different from the Colonial Williamsburg 'citizen' interpreters usually encountered. "Woods rabble in town?? Good Heavens! Why are they here and why are they armed??"
I would bet that last year we made over 500 vacation photo albums and videos from ALL over the world. The tourons seem to be fascinated by woods rabble! The women always want to snuggle in close and get their pictures taken........we don't complain!
Last time we started at the Governor's Palace and went the length of D of G Street to the Capitol....through the backyards and gardens, then back the other side of the street to Bruton Church. They are all interconnected with gates and passways. The non-tourist tours are, indeed, fun and very informative. We have friends at the Gunsmith's Shop, the Milliner and several others on staff there, so we do get many places the average person does not.
Williamsburg is a fascinating place! Yes, it is somewhat "touristy", but I would not say Disneyesque. That is the nature of any beast of the type. But...quite a large number of the tourists are very well-educated/informed on the 18th century. We have had some marvelous discussions with many.
To experience it as close to 18th c. as possible, one must dine at a Tavern and then attend Gambols at Chownings in period dress.....correct period dress (that is when the woods rabble transforms into well-healed Gentlemen!!), and play it 18th c. all the way. There is something really cool about encountering a tourist after dark ....for the tourist...whilst walking down D of G Street! Talk about a time warp! Many wannabe's show up there....we've seen some dandies.....and kind of 'cheapen' the image of the 18th c. But, let's be realistic.....not everyone can do it that way. Therefore, we must put up with the 'modern folks', but that's OK, too. They quite often are so much fun and so interested that it doesn't show.
I have been a contributor to Colonial Williamsburg for a long time, and not just to get the magazine, ornament, or anything else they send as a thank you gift. I, and my friends, get much, much more from being there and being a part of it while we are there.
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OK.....the picture didn't load for me. I have requested assistance from the guru, so hopefully he will get it to work. Check back later! (Grumble, grumble.....) (Dingblasted, consarned, rakafratchin' 21st century stuff anyways!)
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Life's journey is not to
arrive at the grave safely
in a well preserved body,
but rather to skid in sideways,
totally worn out, shouting
'...holy sh*t ...what a ride!'
~~Mavis Leyrer, Seattle
Seamus
~~Aim small, hit the b*****d right between the eyes!~~ |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
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Posted - February 21 2003 : 4:09:09 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by Seamus
Well, Girls, maybe it ain't Hawkeye, Uncas and Chingachgook walking down Duke of Gloucester Street, but would you settle for Seamus, Johann Getz, the gunsmith, and Ranger Kuhns?
You betcha! (Maybe I shouldn't say that until I see the photo!)
quote:
We go there often and roam the streets, with a story concocted to rationalize our reason for being there and so obviously different from the Colonial Williamsburg 'citizen' interpreters usually encountered. "Woods rabble in town?? Good Heavens! Why are they here and why are they armed??"
That sounds like great fun!
quote:
Williamsburg is a fascinating place! Yes, it is somewhat "touristy", but I would not say Disneyesque. That is the nature of any beast of the type.
Very true!
quote:
To experience it as close to 18th c. as possible, one must dine at a Tavern and then attend Gambols at Chownings in period dress.....correct period dress (that is when the woods rabble transforms into well-healed Gentlemen!!), and play it 18th c. all the way.
That, too, sounds like great fun!
quote:
I have been a contributor to Colonial Williamsburg for a long time, and not just to get the magazine, ornament, or anything else they send as a thank you gift. I, and my friends, get much, much more from being there and being a part of it while we are there.
You are fortunate to be able to get there fairly frequently. The magazine can keep me filled in until I get there!
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Pen
Colonial Settler
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Posted - February 21 2003 : 5:50:22 PM
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Hi, All!
Morgaine, thanks for posting the link. I hope to visit CW one of these years.
I think Hawkeye and Co. would be out of their element (maybe they'd be escorting a slightly-homesick Cora on a visit... ?).
Pen |
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Words of Colonial Williamsburg
