In the 18th century, when 90 percent of the working population was farmers and most families found themselves living well outside of town, firearms were necessary for protection, hunting, and pest control. Almost everyone learned how to operate and shoot a rifle by the age of 13, and in the back country, each home contained roughly one gun per family member. Flintlock rifles, pistols, and fowling pieces were a part of everyday life in the 1700’s and are still made and used in the Revolutionary City today….
Virginia’s Cold History: Have You Heard of the “Washington & Jefferson” Snowstorm?
Between the snow and the sub-zero wind chills, this week feels like one of the worst cold snaps in recent memory (and with good reason). I checked with a meteorologist friend and she confirms we haven’t seen highs in the teens for 21 years. And we could break a record low temperature set all the way back in 1896! Still, this doesn’t seem much compared to some of the harsh winters our ancestors faced in the 18th century….
Colonial Williamsburg Gets Covered in a Blanket of Snow
Colonial Williamsburg opened for business at noon after a snowstorm dropped 4-6 inches across the capital city. Before we could make it out with our own cameras, some of you went exploring and shared your pictures with us. Thank you! With your help, we were able to create a slideshow of beautiful winter snapshots….
5 Fun Facts About Virginia Presidents You Didn’t Learn in History Class
Over the years, we’ve learned a lot about our nation’s leaders but there are some lesser-known facts about their careers and private lives you may not have seen on your history tests. Next Monday is a federal holiday set aside to honor all U.S. Presidents. To celebrate, we thought we’d focus on the four presidents who hailed from Virginia with specific ties to Williamsburg in the 18th century.
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The Loves of Our First Presidents
February is home to several major events including Presidents’ Day and Valentine’s Day. I thought it would be great to celebrate both by taking a look at the love lives of Washington, Jefferson, and Madison….
Early American Dollhouses: They Just Don’t Make ’em Like They Used To!
As a little girl who grew up in the 80s, I can remember playing with my Barbie “Dream House” for hours. I would carefully place Barbie, Ken, and Skipper around the table to eat with their tiny plastic forks, then sit them on their red velvet couch to watch their make-believe television. Yep. Those were the days. So imagine how my inner child did backflips when I learned about the dollhouse exhibit inside our Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg. I just had to see it for myself. I just had to.
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Huzzah! The Truth About 18th-Century Phrases
They say the English language is one of the toughest to learn. Making it even more difficult is our use of idioms—common expressions that have inserted themselves into our everyday conversation. When you stop to consider the literal definition of those words, well, they usually don’t “make a lick of sense.”…
Colonial Williamsburg Transforms Into a Winter Wonderland
Many of us who live in Hampton Roads woke up to a winter wonderland this morning—complete with icicles and a thick coating of ice on the trees and power lines. In authentic 18th-century fashion, the Historic Area also had to forgo electricity for a couple hours when a transformer blew. But by lunchtime, it was business as usual for just about everyone. So we bundled up, grabbed our cameras, and captured some pretty amazing images to share with you.
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Keeping Interpreters Warm in the Revolutionary City
One of the most popular questions our interpreters get when the temperatures drop is “How do you stay warm?”
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The Big List of Money-saving Tips for Your Trip: Winter 2015 Edition
Whether you’re planning a romantic weekend getaway or a week-long family vacation, your Colonial Williamsburg trip does not have to break the bank. Here’s our big, official list of simple ways to save money on your trip this winter without sacrificing the fun. These special offers and deals vary seasonally, so be sure to subscribe to the blog so you won’t miss next season’s!
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