Shilling spent more than a decade as the unofficial mayoress of the colonial capital where she roamed Duke of Gloucester Street and greeted thousands of guests over the years. The sweet calico spent her final days enjoying retirement, taking cat naps, and keeping a watchful eye on all the action through the bay window of the Peter Hay House.
We first introduced you to Shilling in October, on National Cat Day, but many of you knew her long before that. She was adopted 12 years ago and was cared for by one of our employees in the Coach and Livestock department who allowed her free reign of the town. Joyce’s house is in the Historic Area and both her name and phone number were engraved on Shilling’s tags. As a result, we’re told she received more than one phone call at two or three in the morning from a well-intentioned guest claiming to have found Shilling “lost” in CW. Her response? “Thank you; she lives here.”
Shilling became an ally and friend to those who worked in the Historic Area. She started as Sgt. Whiskers during her time at the Guardhouse at the Magazine. She also spent a few years at the Silversmith where they created a handmade silver porringer (small bowl) for her. And just before her retirement, she was often caught sleeping in a basket of rags at the Print Shop or spotted at the Post Office.
Shilling’s sweet nature helped her develop a rapport with visitors who ran into her on the streets as they returned year after year. Guests at the Williamsburg Inn loved her so much, they sent packages of generous gifts that included catnip toys, beds, and even gold and rhinestone collars.
If you’re an animal lover, you’re probably familiar with the poem about the Rainbow Bridge. We like to think Shilling has crossed that bridge, her health and energy restored, where she can now pounce, explore, and dream of her days and friends back here in Williamsburg. We’ll miss you.
Do you have memories of Shilling you’d like to share? Please do so below and be sure to upload your pictures to our Facebook page or email me at jross@cwf.org. We’ll add them to our slideshow tribute.
Ryan says
I always looked forward to seeing her around CW when my wife and I would visit. As a lover of Calico cats, I became find of her and her unique personality immediately. I just found out she passed and I am heartbroken. I am sure she had crossed the bridge and is once again sharing her love.
It looks like there’s a new cat in town: do my eyes deceive me? I spied a “familiar” face at the Henry residence, The Peter Hay. I’d love the backstory and what is Her name???
What a wonderful memory, especially sweet during the holiday season. Thank you for sharing your special Shilling story.
Don & Patricia Gay says
One of our many fondest memories of Shilling happened as soon as we arrived one chilly Christmas time night.
She was trying to hurry us up as we were fumbling with
the key to our old colonial. As soon as the door was open, Shilling ran through the door and up the stairs.
I told my husband that I thought she had done this before. We followed her up the stairs, and there she
was on our bed waiting for us. Little did we know
she had her favorite old colonial, and we were in it.
After calling the contact phone number on her collar
to let her mom know where she was, she continued
to make that a Christmas we will always remember.
She truly was the “The Amazing Historic Colonial Cat”,
and will always be a part of our Williamsburg experience. We will miss her.
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Gay
Arlington, Virginia
We had the Privilege of meeting Schilling years ago, and would always look for her whenever we visited Colonial Williamsburg. She was easiest to find when she took over the Prentis Store - it was hilarious when the “historic prop” moved during her nap in her basket, and customers realized she was a real cat! What a lovely mixture of regal bearing and condescension, mixed with sweetness and true friendliness - as long as you treated her with appropriate respect and deference! We love to walk DoG street in the early mornings, and there were so many times she accompanied us from up around the Milliner down to the Court House. It was almost like she recognized us (even though we get to CW only 2 or 3 times a year) and would come over and greet us, then walk along with us. THANK YOU to all the CW folks who are so caring of their feline friends, and so generous about sharing them with us. I was so sorry to learn from the folks at Prentis that Schilling had passed, and love the tribute to her in the Peter Hay Shop bay window. Schilling was and is part of the soul of CW, and will be missed. What an incredible lady she was.
A belated “I’ll miss you on my morning rides, Shilling!”
To Joyce and all those at Williamsburg. I am so sorry for your loss. Shilling was a beautiful cat and many wonderful stories are told about her. She will be long remembered even by me and I was not fortunate enough to meet her in person. We looked for her at Christmas but were only lucky enough to talk with Eleanor the kittie. She had a full wonderful life at a great place to live.If all cats could be so fortunate. When the time is right I do hope a new friend comes into your life. I will imagine her with my pet friends who have gone on having a wonderful time free of pain.Thinking of you all.
Thank you for your kind words Joan.
I remember Shilling as a friendly and beautiful cat. I know she is missed by everyone in Williamsburg and those of us who met her. I just recently lost my own cat (best buddy), but the memories will last a lifetime.
Kathy, so sorry for your personal loss. For many of us, our pets are members of the family. Our condolences to you and yours.
Thank you for your kind words. My sister and I go to Williamsburg every fall and I will miss Shilling but look forward to seeing Eleanor, Molly, and Sir Thomas once again.
So sorry to hear about Shilling. I never saw her in person, but she is a beautiful calico in her pictures. I love colonial Williamsburg and really enjoy your blog especially the animal stories and pictures.
We were so sad to learn of Shilling’s passing. I distinctly remember our first meeting with her many years ago. Like many, we thought she was lost and needed help, but nope! This was her home and she was just fine.
It is truly amazing the number of people who Shilling touched. She is gone, but never forgotten.
Lovely tribute, Jessica, and we are so lucky that Fred captured her so beautifully on film.
Thank you so much, Ann. We were definitely very thankful for all of Fred’s wonderful images that helped us share Shilling’s story.
I am so sad to hear of Shilling passing. I worked at Tarpley’s Store for 7 years and she was a guest often. She loved to run in and hide behind the front counter (away from too many people sometimes). She also knew her way upstairs to be found curled up asleep on my street clothes (I changed into costume at work). Shilling knew that we had cat treats for her too and came by to have several along with a nap or a rub from some loving hands she trusted. Rest in peace my sweet kitty you were loved by many.
Patricia, what a great memory. Thank you so much for sharing!
My daughter and I encountered Shilling at least a couple of times while walking around CW (we live in the area). Rebekah was very excited to see the kitty and of course being a cat lover I was as well! Sorry to hear of he passing. I hope there will be another feline friend around CW soon.
Andrea - we have three other kitties who call the Historic Area home. I’m sure Eleanor, Sir Thomas, and Molly miss their friend as much as we do.
Whenever we go we will look for them!
Oh sweet Shilling, may you rest in peace. You were a beautiful, sweet soul that ruled your colonial kingdom with an iron paw! Your grace and presence will truly be missed. Someday we’ll meet again, over the Rainbow Bridge.
In sympathy, Lisa Smith =^..^=
Grace is another wonderful word to describe her. Thank you for your condolences, Lisa.
My heart is aching right now after reading this very sad news. I never had the pleasure of meeting Shilling but she sounded like such a beautiful soul. I have a calico cat who looks a lot like Shilling so I know what a beautiful girl Shilling must have been. I’m so glad Shilling had such a wonderful life living in Colonial Williamsburg and that her afterlife is just as wonderful. R.I.P. Shilling.
I agree she had a long life filled with so much love and affection!
Rest in peace sweet baby - oxoxoxoxoxo
Thank you for your sentiment.
Shilling was an sweet and beautiful cat, she will be missed. Six or seven years ago as a new security officer for cwf, I was inspecting the guardhouse. I walked up to the top of the stairs and pause for a moment. Suddenly I heard something running up the stairs behind me. Spooked and concerned, I turn around to find shillings at my feet.
I bet you were glad it was our beloved colonial cat and not one of our colonial ghosts. 🙂
We met Shilling a few years ago. We had just checked into the Orlando Jones office. She came right into the house, sniffed us and our belongings, let us pet her, and then went back outside. Every morning I would take my coffee outside and she would come up to say hello. She was a lovely part of our memories from that trip, we have photos and will remember her fondly.
Kelly, so many people have been sharing memories of her gentle and friendly nature.
I used to look forward to seeing Shilling early in the morning before the shops opened. Recently I have been stopping by the Peter Hay Shop to see if she was sleeping in the window. She was a good ambassador for Colonial Williamsburg and she will be sorely missed.
Fred, thank you again for all the wonderful pictures. I know they mean a lot to all the other guests and employees who loved her so much.
Shilling was the first cat ambassador that my husband and I met on our visiits to Williamsburg many years ago. We visited at various times of the year, and met Shilling walking along DoG Street, sitting in a backyard enjoying the sunshine or roaming her domain — all of Colonial Williamsburg. I feel like I have lost a dear friend. I looked for her each time we visited. Our favorite Colonial Home is the Peter Hays Kitchen. When we stayed there we would catch a glimpse of her peeking out a window. I know that Shilling is enjoying her retirement in Heaven.
Judi, we agree. Shilling is definitely he enjoying her retirement across the Rainbow Bridge.
I am so sad! I read about her a few months ago. I hope she is playing with my furry babies that I miss so much and she reminded me of them.
Thinking of all of you…
Desiree
Desiree, thank you for your sweet message.