Visit the World’s Greatest Living Museum
tripatlas.com/new takes you into one of the world’s greatest living museums to see ladies in bonnets and men with muskets and revolutionary uniforms.
Forget your history books and come see for yourself the town of Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia and witness history and democracy in the making – and if you’re lucky, you’ll witness a tarring + feathering!
What a day job: From 9am to 5pm daily, the historic town becomes a living museum with hundreds of 18th century townsfolk, ladies, gentlemen and slaves all dressed in proper 18th century clothing Talk about a unique day job!
Families with children visiting can rent 18th century costumes for the children for the day.
Get in the mood: If you’re feel like getting in the mood – for history – you can go for a romantic carriage ride around town and pretend you’re reliving a scene in Pride and Prejudice.
Washington & Jefferson’s hang out place: The Play Booth theatre’s outdoor stage is known as the site of the first theater in the United States from the early 1700’s – when it was normal for crowds to participate and get rowdy.
Doing it 18th century style: Historical trades like cabinetmaking, blacksmithing and cooking – using historical recipes and methods – are part of the fun of experiencing the living museum. You can try your hand or watch the historical food experts make chocolate, smoke ham or stuff lamb as they would in the 18th century.
Before there was Heinz: Making cooking sauces like vinegar and ketchup are also part of a food historian’s day job. Ketchup in the 18th century was more of a vinegar-based brown liquid than today’s thick red tomato-based dressing for french fries.
200 year-old animals: Historic accuracy is an important factor in Colonial Williamsburg – even to the point where their farm animals are ones similar to those which were bred and grazed the fields before and during the American Revolution – just like these lambs. Grazing demonstrations (as they would have done in the 18th century) are also done every few weeks.
Watch townsfolk being tried: In Revolutionary City, re-enactments of town going-ons, public meetings and trials take place daily. You’ll witness families shifting allegiances from their colonial fathers and gathering soldiers for the Continental Army – you may even meet George Washington.
Get the real story: Hear the story from the side of the African American slaves who played a big part in Colonial Williamsburg. From working in the plantation to the history of slavery in the United States, hear real stories passed on from the 18th century.
Rest your head at the Williamsburg Lodge: Not only is the Williamsburg Lodge one of the best value establishments in Colonial Williamsburg, but it’s the best place to experience true Williamsburg hospitality.
For more about visiting Colonial Williamsburg and Virginia, go to www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com.
More from tripatlas.com/new? Find out How I Ate Through Virginia Beach in 48 Hours or for more history and fun, then Discover Rome in Angels & Demons.