Tag Archives: #walkingtour

The windmill


The windmill at Colonial Williamsburg stands as a symbol of human innovation and resilience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of sustainable practices and harnessing renewable energy sources. In an era where environmental consciousness is paramount, the windmill’s legacy inspires us to explore alternative energy solutions and recognize the wisdom of the past.

The windmill at Colonial Williamsburg is more than a static structure; it is a living testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of America’s colonial settlers. Its presence adds depth and authenticity to the immersive experience of exploring the historical streets of Williamsburg. As we marvel at its grandeur and learn from its functional beauty, we are reminded that the echoes of the past can guide us towards a brighter, more sustainable future.

The Colonial Capitol

The second capitol building in Williamsburg, Virginia, is a fascinating piece of American history. Built in 1705, it was the center of government for the colony of Virginia during a crucial time in the formation of the United States.

The second capitol building replaced the original building, which had been destroyed in a fire in 1698.

The building was the site of many important events in early American history. The colony of Virginia declared its independence from Great Britain in the building’s House of Burgesses. The building also hosted several important meetings during the American Revolution, including the Virginia Convention of 1776, which adopted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and the state’s first constitution.

The building’s architecture is an interesting blend of English and American styles. The exterior features a brick facade with decorative details that are reminiscent of English Baroque architecture. Inside, the building has a central hall with a vaulted ceiling, which was a common feature in American public buildings of the time.

Today, the second capitol building is part of Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum that celebrates life in colonial Virginia. Visitors can tour the building and learn about its rich history, as well as the important role it played in the formation of the United States.

Overall, the second capitol building in Williamsburg, Virginia, is a fascinating piece of American history that offers a glimpse into the early days of the United States. Its architecture and historical significance make it a must-see for anyone interested in American history or architecture.

Segregation in Williamsburg

Bruton Heights School (special collections John D Rockefeller Jr Library) the segregated school for black children built by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation during Jim Crow

Williamsburg, Virginia, has a complex history of segregation, dating back to the colonial era. Williamsburg served as the colonial capital of Virginia from 1699 until 1780 and played a significant role in the development of slavery in the United States.

During the Jim Crow era, Williamsburg, like many other southern towns, enforced strict segregation laws, which effectively barred African Americans from participating in many aspects of public life. Segregation was not officially abolished until the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

One example of segregation in Williamsburg was the practice of separate schools for African American and white students. This practice continued until the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision in 1954, which ruled that segregation in public schools was unconstitutional.

Another example was the segregation of public spaces such as parks, restaurants, and theaters. For instance, the city’s largest public park, College Landing Park, was reserved for whites only. African Americans were relegated to smaller, inferior parks.

Despite the legal end of segregation, some forms of segregation still exist in Williamsburg, particularly in housing patterns. A 2017 report by the Equal Justice Initiative found that Williamsburg and James City County had the highest rate of racial segregation of any metropolitan area in the United States.

The report attributed this high level of segregation to several factors, including discriminatory housing policies and a lack of affordable housing options for low-income residents. It noted that African Americans in Williamsburg are concentrated in low-income areas, while white residents tend to live in more affluent neighborhoods.

In recent years, efforts have been made to address this segregation. For example, the Williamsburg-James City County School Board voted in 2019 to redraw school attendance zones in an effort to reduce racial and socioeconomic segregation in the district.

References:

The Virginia Declaration of Rights (part 1)

In May of 1776 the 5th Virginia convention met at the capitol building.

They voted to declare independence from Great Britton. Then immediately realized that you can’t just declare yourself independent. You would leave Virginia without a government. So the first order of business… create a new government. None of them had ever created a government before so when they created the government of Virginia…. they did it wrong.

They actually thought the best way to form a government was to define the rights of the citizens and then form a government to protect those rights. It’s a great idea but that’s not how governments are formed.

Governments are traditionally formed the other way around (like our federal government) When a small group of men seize power (in Philadelphia). Those men form a government (create a constitution) then tell the citizens what rights they will allow them to have (begrudgingly add the bill of rights).

But in Virginia they decided on the rights of citizens first and then formed a government that answers to the people.

It instilled in the new nation the idea that the Government’s main function is to protect the rights of it’s citizens.

The Reconstructed Raleigh Tavern

The rebuilt Raleigh tavern. One of the most under rated buildings in American history.

In March of 1773 the Virginia committee of correspondence was formed to “consist of eleven persons, to wit: the Honourable Peyton Randolph, Esquire; Robert Carter Nicholas, Richard Bland, Richard Henry Lee, Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Pendleton, Patrick Henry, Dudley Digges, Dabney Carr, Archibald Cary, and Thomas Jefferson, Esquires, any six of whom to be a committee, whose business it shall be to obtain the most early and authentic intelligence of all such Acts and resolutions of the British Parliament, or proceedings of administration, as may relate to or affect the British colonies in America”. A spy ring. Any six of them would constitute a meeting of the committee. The committee met in the Daphne room of the Raleigh tavern.

James Southall was the owner of the tavern and a sympathizer for the rebellious cause. He later became the leader of one of the committees of public safety ( more about the committees of safety in future articles).

In 1774 the Virginia house of burgessess met in the Apolo room. They called for the first contental congress (like it or not the idea of our government meeting in congress started in the Raleigh tavern).

In 1776 the 5th Virginia convention met. George Mason stayed at the Raleigh tavern. From his room at the tavern he wrote the Virginia declaration of rights (more about the declaration of rights and the forming of the Virginia government in future articles). His declaration of rights would be adapted by the contental congress to become the bill of rights attached to the constitution.

The Raleigh tavern was the first building opened to the public at Colonial Williamsburg. Two years before any other. But NOT because of its historical importance but because of its sentimental importance. In 1776 the phi beta kappa fraternity was formed here. W.A.R. Goodwin (the man who had the idea for Colonial Williamsburg) and Rockefeller (the money behind Colonial Williamsburg) were both phi beta kappa alumni .

The Royal Governor’s Palace.

The governor’s palace in Colonial Williamsburg.

There are over 540 weapons on display in the governor’s palace. Colonial Williamsburg has the largest revolutionary war weapons collection and the largest replica weapons collection.

The English were the first ones to industrialize warfare. Different parts of the musket were fabricated in different locations in the kingdom and then sent to the tower of London. Once assembled the musket would be test fired. If it successfully fired 3 times it would receive the proof mark. GR with a crown (king George). You can tell the originals from the replicas in the palace by the proof mark which looks like a little dimple.