| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| morgaine |
Posted - January 31 2003 : 8:38:00 PM
If anyone is interested, this link will take you to the Colonial Williamsburg web site and to an article on 18th century English. It does not deal with accents but with the language of the 18th century.
http://www.history.org/foundation/journal/Summer01/words.cfm |
| 25 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Theresa |
Posted - February 22 2003 : 3:13:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Seamus
(blush, blush!!)
.........and we love you, too, Theresa. I think of you everytime I put my greatcoat on!
And a great greatcoat it is! I appreciate your sharing it. Missed having you present at Gathering last. Might we see you there this time?
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| Seamus |
Posted - February 22 2003 : 09:38:30 AM
(blush, blush!!)
.........and we love you, too, Theresa. I think of you everytime I put my greatcoat on!
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| Theresa |
Posted - February 22 2003 : 08:48:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by morgaine
Hello again, everyone. 
Seamus, I loved your photos and am quite impressed with your credentials. You and your friends look terrific! I admire your dedication.
Morgaine,
You would most definitely be impressed by these gentlemen should you ever have the opportunity to sit around a campfire with them and hear some of their stories. Love you guys!!
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| Seamus |
Posted - February 22 2003 : 06:59:10 AM
Good morning, Morgaine!
Thank you for your kind words, you are most welcome anytime to share your passions with us! We DO understand them, and the pleasure is ours..... |
| morgaine |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 11:35:39 PM
Hello again, everyone.
Seamus, I loved your photos and am quite impressed with your credentials. You and your friends look terrific! I admire your dedication. I loved what you wrote about your Williamsburg experiences--you are exactly right. When I saw Scott's last post, I realized that he was not talking about the real Colonial Williamsburg.
quote:
when I think of Williamsburg it is the College of William and Mary, it is Colonial Williamsburg and all that happened THERE two and a quarter centuries ago, it is Carter's Grove and Wolstenholme Town, it is Jamestown and the whole peninsula....not Busch Gardens, Six Flags, the "strip" nor the Pottery
Seamus, your words could be mine for that is exactly how I feel. I have explained this to people countless times. I have never been to the Pottery or Busch Gardens. I go to be as close to the eighteenth century as possible. I constantly have to explain to people that I am going to Colonial Williamsburg, not Williamsburg. Yes, Wilderness Woman, you need to decide what your focus is going to be and filter out what does not appeal to you. Like you, I have no problem doing that.
I am feeling much cheerier now. Thank you for asking. I am happy to know that we do share this passion. This is wonderful. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 9:53:34 PM
Yes, Seamus, I came to that conclusion too... that Scott appears to be speaking of something that is somewhat separate from Colonial Williamsburg. As for the "touron" (cool word!) lines... it is unfortunate that when something becomes successful or popular, people will tend to come. The more that come... the longer the lines. It's unavoidable.
It sounds to me as though one must decide before going just what aspect of the area to focus on. If you want Disneylandesque, you can certainly find it. If you want history and "flavor", it is there. Perhaps you simply try to see what you want to see... and tune out what you don't? I can do that, and I still really want to see it. The historical part of it.
It is a necessary "evil", isn't it, that commercialism must nearly always be present in some form or another, in order to support the historical... the really good stuff.
Morgaine...? Are you feeling cheerier? We hope so! You see, we fully appreciate your passion for CW, and do share it with you.
Oh, by the way, Seamus... after seeing the photos... you guys will do!
 WW |
| Seamus |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 9:31:36 PM
AHA! Scott, I understand now. You are talking about Williamsburg, the area.....not Colonial Williamsburg? I agree that lines waiting to get into various places in CW are a pain,(that's why WE sneak in the back doors!) but let's not link the trashy touristy Chamber of Commerce drivel with a place like CW. Yes....guilty by association it may be, but when I think of Williamsburg it is the College of William and Mary, it is Colonial Williamsburg and all that happened THERE two and a quarter centuries ago, it is Carter's Grove and Wolstenholme Town, it is Jamestown and the whole peninsula....not Busch Gardens, Six Flags, the "strip" nor the Pottery, the golf courses and the condos, chicken joints and the Outback Steakhouse. THEY all are leeching off Colonial Williamsburg. They know a good thing when they see one. They know how to capitalize on a good draw. People still come for COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG and the 18th century experience, and the lines of tourons we abhor just might be the source of the lifeblood to keep OUR hobby (hobby, Hell! Our WAY OF LIFE!!!!!) alive. The "Disney-seekers" can go to the other places and play all they want!! Up their's!!!! Come on, Scott! Forget them!! Come play with US!!!
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| Scott Bubar |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 8:46:35 PM
   ]williamsburg.com
quote:
That's why everyone… Kids, Parents & Grandparents …
enjoy coming to Williamsburg again and again and again.
Spend some time in terror hanging upside down in a Roller Coaster moving at what seems to be the speed of a rocket... or time in sheer wonderment at the resolve and fears of men, women and children crossing an Ocean in a Susan B. Constant... a small boat that today, seems like an oversize mini van. Or tap your toes to authentic traditional balladeers while visiting Ireland... play Golf where Presidents and Prime Ministers have ' chased the little white ball' in frustration... and where Champions compete every year.
Enjoy a 'Cold One' in the same Taverns where the likes of Tommy Jefferson and Patrick ("Give me liberty, or give me death") Henry, argued over the fate of a super power's Colony… and their lives. See a live Music Show… Shop at hundreds of Factory Outlet Stores, Artisan Shops, quaint Book Stores, Antique Malls. Dine Gourmet… or gnaw on mouth watering, traditional slow cooked southern Barbecue Ribs and Chicken.
If you enjoy the 'New'… and the 'Old'…
Relaxation with family and friends…
it doesn't get much better than Williamsburg.
That's why it's referred to as 'The Fun Capitol of the Southeast'
williamsburg.com
OK, so this may be a bit of guilt by association, but then the associations are very close, aren't they? One ticket to get you into the various attractions, all conveniently electronically linked with tracking, and presumably financially linked as well.
Now, I did say I love Williamsburg, and this is no lie. I first visited about 35 years ago, and fell in love with both Williamsburg and the area.
On my last visit with my son three or four years ago and the first time I stayed on the grounds, she seemed a bit down on the heels, especially considering her new "connections", but perhaps this was the jaundiced view of age.
What I really didn't appreciate were the living history tours. Living history is all very well and good in its place, but standing in line in the people corrals (how Disneyesque) in a cold Virgina spring rain didn't appeal to me at all. I wrote off the House of Burgesses and the Governor's palace, in spite of the fact that there were things I wanted to see. I'm quite capable of doing my own interpretation thank you.
The best time was in the gunsmith's shop, listening to and talking with Richard Frazier.
Seamus--peeked at your pics before, glad they've come through. Also glad to see your not wearing mouseketeer caps. Oops, musketeer. 
|
| Pen |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 5:50:22 PM
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 |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 4:09:09 PM
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!
|
| Seamus |
Posted - February 21 2003 : 2:52:41 PM
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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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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| morgaine |
Posted - February 20 2003 : 9:42:19 PM
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?  |
| Scott Bubar |
Posted - February 20 2003 : 8:06:28 PM
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. |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 20 2003 : 6:05:31 PM
Yes I did! They're too pretty to send out! I wanna keep 'em! |
| Theresa |
Posted - February 20 2003 : 5:32:11 PM
I GOT ONE TOO!! Did you get the notecards and return address labels? |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 20 2003 : 08:51:19 AM
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! |
| morgaine |
Posted - February 04 2003 : 11:16:53 PM
Thank you, Theresa. |
| Theresa |
Posted - February 04 2003 : 10:14:12 PM
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.
|
| morgaine |
Posted - February 04 2003 : 7:56:03 PM
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. |
| Theresa |
Posted - February 04 2003 : 5:12:06 PM
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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| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 04 2003 : 08:04:53 AM
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! |
| morgaine |
Posted - February 02 2003 : 7:48:30 PM
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! |
| Wilderness Woman |
Posted - February 02 2003 : 3:37:14 PM
"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 |
| Theresa |
Posted - February 02 2003 : 10:04:59 AM
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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| morgaine |
Posted - February 02 2003 : 12:25:17 AM
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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