Williamsburg - Colonial Williamsburg

Our first stop this morning was to Colonial Williamsburg. The ticket we purchased allowed us to tour the Capitol as well as the Palace. A note to all you teachers out there. They have an educators discount. All you have to do is ask about it and show proof that you are in education.

Things I learned about Williamsburg:

• Williamsburg was the capitol of Virginia from 1699-1780.
• Williamsburg was a focus of government, education and culture during the 18th century.
• Important buildings are: Raleigh Tavern, the Capitol, The Governor's Palace, Bruton Parish Church and the Bakery.
• Major political figures who are connected to Williamsburg are Peyton Randolph (first President of the Continental Congress), George Wythe (Signer of the Declaration of Independence), Patrick Henry (First Governor of Virginia), Thomas Jefferson (Author of the Declaration of Independence, Third President of the US), James Madison (Fourth President of the US), James Monroe (5th President of the US), George Washington (First President of the US) and others.
• Colonial Williamsburg makes up one part of the Historic Triangle of Virginia. Jamestown and Yorktown make up the other pieces.
• The Capitol and the Governor's Palace are recreations. The Palace burned down and a school was later built on the original site.
  

Below is a picture of the Governor's Palace.

• It was the official residence of the royal governor.
• It took 16 years for the capitol to be constructed.
• It was completed in 1722.
• The palace that people tour today is representational of Royal Governor John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore.
• The first American governor to live in the house was Patrick Henry.
• The original house was destroyed by fire in 1781.
• As you enter the house you see the families coat of arms as well as over 100 weapons (swords and muskets) hanging up all over the entryway.
• The ballroom was the largest room in Colonial Williamsburg.

The next picture you see is of Bruton Parish Church.

• This church was established in the 17th century.
• It is an active Episcopal church.
• The original church was created in 1632.
• The current church building was started in 1711 and finished in 1715
• Famous people who attended church here: George Wythe, Richard Henry Lee, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Mason, James Madison, John Tyler, and Benjamin Harrison.

Here is a picture of me and a solider in the powder house. I am surrounded by guns and swords. Some of them were replicas of the time period and others were actual weapons that had been in the armory.

Below is a picture of the Capitol building.

• It was originally built in 1705 and was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt.
• The capitol held the judicial branch, the executive branch and the judicial branch.
• American independence was discussed in this building.
• On the first floor of the capitol you would find the General Court. (west building)
• The first floor of the capitol on the east side was for the House of Burgesses.
• On the second floor one would find the Council Chamber, lobby, Council clerk's office and three committee rooms.
• In this building Patrick Henry made a speech against the Stamp Act. Famous Americans helped to start our country towards Revolution in this building.
  

Here is a picture of me and a citizen of Williamsburg.