Nov 06 2007
Little Bits of History
It is funny how living in the DC area can “desensitize” you to historical landmarks and events. I pass over historical sites every day (then again, we all do…) and while I realize what they are, I don’t really think of their importance. History was (one of) my favorite subjects in school [and no, not just because I met Kris in grade 11 history class...] and has continued to play a large role in my life. While working on my MLS in graduate school, I was also working on an MA in History - but I stopped my coursework to work full-time and to gain more experience in the field. I am happy with my decision for many reasons - mainly because it gives me some free time to pursue my other passions. The historical lens is still on - and before I do anything, I research it. At length. Read up on the history. Knitting history. Textiles history. Photography history. Travel history. Natural history.
Once I found out that my regional archives conference was in Williamsburg, Virginia - “where history lives” - I did my research. I have lived in the DC area for 10 years, and I had not yet been to this close by (about 3 hours to the south) site. What intrigued me even more than Williamsburg was the settlement at Jamestown, celebrating its 400 year anniversary (you may recall the Queen’s visit).
The drive to Jamestown Island was picture perfect. The James River is a deep estuary of the Chesapeake Bay, and was a real attraction to the colonists who settled in the area in the seventeenth century. Of course, it was also the home of the Powhatan tribe; their most famous member being “Pocahontas”. Within the last ten years, archaeologists have uncovered the original settlement of Jamestown, where the English colonists landed in 1607. For years, the historians and archaeologists believed that the original settlement had eroded into the James River.
[More Jamestown Island photos]
Interesting sidebar: the English settlers actually considered a site to the east of the island for the first settlement. That site is now the largest vineyard and winery in the state of Virginia, Williamsburg Winery. …and where there is wine, there is Lolly (and Kris).
We came home with some liquid souvenirs.
The town of Williamsburg was very nice too. We did a fun little ghost tour of Williamsburg on Halloween night. Evidently this is the most “haunted” of the houses in Williamsburg - more ghost sightings than any other house in town!
Does it seem creepy to you?
The excursion came at a wonderful time - the leaves were just beginning their color change in Virginia. There was a nice chill in the air (perfect for a Verona Shawl photography shoot) and the promise of beautiful sights at every turn.
Wonderful photos and post, Lolly!
What a fun walk through history. We did a family vacation to Williamsburg at Thanksgiving in ‘95 - I’d love to go back.
Beautiful!
Sounds like a perfect time in Williamsburg. Loved the photo of you outside the historic buildings, on the historic street. I’ve been to Williamsburg, but didn’t get to go see the historic part. Instead, my other friends (this was 18 years ago at least) wanted to go to the water park because the entry fee to Williamsburg was too steep. Sigh. Someday I’ll return. And, loved the way you wrote about your visit. Very travelogue! wish i’d been there for the halloween tour!
what a great trip! I was in williamsburg this time last year and found it positively delightful in the fall. isn’t it great to have history so close sometimes?!
I lived near Williamsburg for a few years when my husband was in the military — it’s a lovely area. My favorite place to visit was Yorktown — it’s small and quaint, with fewer tourists and some great seafood (crab soup, mmmmm….).
How interesting! I am fascinated with early American history and Jamestown. Thanks for sharing your adventure!
Great pictures. It really is amazing how we take the history that surrounds us here in DC for granted. I’ve never been to Williamsburg either but it’s on my list
It looks like it was a wonderful weekend! I do actually miss all of the historical landmarks out there - the city is so young here. Conversely, it is a great place to learn about Native American history, which is often covered over there with the all of the “big” history.
What about your yarn tourism?
It’s fun to go on a ghost tour. I did go on a ghost tour in Stockholm, in the Södermalm area during the easter and it was lot of fun. Your photos is so nice and I always look forward to see your photos from your trips.
I have family in Williamsburg and used to go there all the time as a kid, but I haven’t been there in a couple years. The last time was Christmas (I think it was 2005) and it happened to be snowing! It didn’t last for long, but we walked around Colonial Williamsburg and it was really pretty.
I haven’t been to Jamestown in probably a decade at least, and I’d forgotten how much I liked it until I saw your pictures!
Looks like you had great fun. Beautiful photos!
I love ghost tours and creepy things in general. I think I’m a little morbid that way. That house does seem creepy. It looks sooooo long. Liquid souvenirs are always fun!
Thanks for sharing your great trip! Beautiful photos!
I’m so glad that you enjoyed your trip to Williamsburg. It’s where I have called home for the last 5 years and I love it there.
I actually worked part-time at the Williamsburg Winery waiting tables at the Gabriel Archer Tavern just across the ’street’ (unpaved roadway cutting thru the middle of things) from where you had your picture taken. It’s a wonderful winery and I love all of the wines that they bottle - I have a rather nice collection of them at home as well.
Seeing your pictures made me think that I really need to go out and do the whole sightseeing thing more often…although, I did have a friend in over the summer and we went on the Ghost Tour and I really enjoyed that. As a Local, it was something that I had never done.
The last time I was in Williamsburg was 1968. Thanks for bringing it back to me.
What a great trip. I feel like I was there….I adore all things historical - in my opinion those are the best trips.
Thank you!
Aw, homesick! I was born near there (went to the 1976 Celebration at Williamsburg, although I was much too young to remember any of it) and spent some time after college in the area. It’s awesome. If you can, try to get down during Christmas season and check out some of the plantation houses and Colonial Williamsburg - they’re beautiful, with traditional fruit wreaths on the doors and everything.
I was just in Williamsburg a few months ago for our anniversary. Did you make it to Knitting Sisters there in town? It’s a really cute little yarn shop and completely on the way ;).
wow that’s beautiful - what a great day you had! um, and where there’s wine… there’s me with red stained teeth!
Lovely! I would love to see Williamsburg in the fall or winter. I went 10 years ago in the heat of summer, and can’t wait to take my kids someday! My degree is in History, specialized in Colonial American History, so that whole trip was such a wonderful cap to my studies. Thanks for sharing!
I’m from Williamsburg, but now live in New Mexico, so it was great to see some pictures of home! Aren’t the leaves & architecture great? Whenever I go there I just feel so relaxed. I’m glad you had a good time!
I do the same thing! I was just a few credits shy of an Art History concentration when I got my BFA, and historical research is totally ingrained in everything I do. Every time I start a new piece for my portfolio, I do a huge amount of research first. I really think you can tell when a piece of art, or knitting, or weaving, or whatever, has a lot of historical knowledge behind its creation. Now that I’m applying to grad school for textiles, I know I’m going to put a huge amount of time into historical study!
It’s funny to me that I never cared for history, all the way from elementary to high school, but fell in love with it in college. I am very interested in going to DC and Virginia and seeing all of the American historical landmarks there. Someday….
Wow! We were in Richmond for a southern history conference this past week–and went to Jamestown and Williamsburg while we were near by. David and Son almost went on a Williamsburg ghost tour on Halloween–but we were running a bit too late for them to get there on time. Sorry we didn’t see y’all there!
Beautiful pictures.
It looks like a beautiful and interesting excursion. Especially the winery.
I love Williamsburg. I’ve only been a couple of times which is a shame since it’s so close. One of my college friends works there. I think I should go just to take pics of his work outfit.
I haven’t been to Williamsburg since I was a kid. I’d like to go back there next year, if we can afford it. There’s a manor nearby which was bought over, brick by brick, from England and reassembled. I can’t remember the name, but I’d like to visit it someday, especially since it’s unlikely that I’ll get to go to England in the near future.
Thanks for taking us along with you! I know what you mean about never going to see local attractions: people from all over the country come here to go to the top of Pikes Peak. I’ve lived here 10 years and haven’t been up there yet!
we thought about going to williamsburg for our honeymoon in january, but thought it might be a little cold to do all of the outdoor stuff! maybe next spring!
DB and I are pretty big history buffs and we actually live in a historic town (well, when we are in Jersey)! Our house was built in 1733 and I’ve seen some strange apparitions occasionally! It’s kinda scary if you’re alone at night sometimes.