05.22.08 Part 2: Yorktown, Virginia

Thursday, 22 May 2008 - Part 1 (10:30 am - 2 pm)
Yorktown, Virginia

From The Historical Park, I set off to explore the town. Not as big or exciting as I expected, but I did enjoy my time at the beach!

Old Yorktown, Virginia * http://www.yorkcounty.gov/tourism/

Yorktown was named after England’s York and was established as a port for shipping tobacco to Europe. It is the 3rd part of Virginia’s infamous “Historic Triangle” that connects it with Jamestown and Williamsburg. Yorktown is a small village of roughly 203 citizens (2000 census) and is considered a “Census-designated place” in York County, Virginia. It is also York County’s county seat and is one of the eight original shires that formed in colonial Virginia in 1634. Yorktown is most famous for the surrender of General Cornwallis of the English army to General George Washington of the newly forming United States of America in 1781. It was this surrender that effectively ended the American Revolutionary War even though the war continued for another year. It was here as well that another American war - the American Civil War (1861-1865) prominently figurred as a placehold in being a major port that supplied northern and southern towns thereby placing it into being a battlefield a second time. There are only 9 buildings that survive from the Colonial period as well as many of the earthworks dug by the besieging American and French forces. There is also a memorial to the French war dead of the battle. Its a small quaint town. Nothing like Jamestown or Williamsburg and holds an attraction of its own. While I was visiting, most of the museums of historic buildings were closed and there were no activities. It does have a nice public white-sand beach great for summer activities and a little bit of shopping. Its a nice exit to the excitement of Jamestown and Williamsburg. Rating 3.5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22/2008.

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Jones Mill Pond (Virginia)

Jones Mill Pond
This old mill town and mill dam (now covered by the Colonial parkway) show on Civil War maps, and may have existed in Colonial times.

05.22.08 Part 1: Off to Yorktown

Thursday, 22 May 2008 - Part 1 (8:00 am - 10:30 am)
Yorktown, Virginia

Early to rise and checked out of the Janus International Hostel and out to explore the final section of the Historic Triangle. Driving down the Colonial Parkway, I found my way to “Yorktown”.

Yorktown Colonial National Historical Park * http://www.nps.gov/colo * PO BOX 210, Yorktown, Virginia 23690 *

Another National Park of the Historic Triangle, is a small museum and visitor center where the staff will orientate you on the history of the Battlefield, dioramas showing scenes from life around the battle, and a mock ship you can board. The Visitor center is surrounded by British defensive earthenworks, a 16 minute film on the history of the battle is presented within on the “Siege of Yorktown”. General George Washington’s military tents can be viewed, and artifacts from the siege. After the visitor center, drive the self-guided driving tour around the battlefields for seven miles viewing American and French siege lines, visit the Moore House, the site of the surrender negotiations ending the Siege, where the British army grounded their weapons in an elaborate ceremony. I’m a history buff, but I’m not much on historic battlefield sites and exhibits, so I can’t say it was one of the highlights of my trip. The center and park was put together very nicely though but the driving tour was confusing. Rating 2.5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/22/2008.

05.21.08 Part 6: Ghosts of Williamsburg

Wednesday, 21 May 2008 - Part 6 (8:00-9:30 pm)
Williamsburg, Virginia

So many people showed up for the Ghost walking tours this evening that they had to split us up into 4 separate tours. Interesting. This is with only one company. There were several other companies with the same amount of crowds, it was crazy.

Ghosts of Williamsburg candlelight walking Tour * http://www.theghosttour.com/ * meet in front of the William and Mary bookstore at the main gate for historic Williamsburg, Virginia * 757. 565.4821

A crowd is led by lantern candle light down the streets of historic Colonial Williamsburg and on the site of the 2nd oldest University in the United States - William and Mary. For only $10 you get an hour long tour covering various subjects of folklore and haunted history in the area that eventually leads you to the graveyard. Based on the book The Ghosts of Williamsburg by L.B. Taylor. It was a very interesting and informative walk. I thought I caught a glimpse of something in the window of the Indian dorm on William and Mary, as well as something in the shadows near the George Wythe House. Looking over the photographs, lots of orbs and interesting elements and oddities to the pictures. Great tour! According to the tour guides it’s notorious that the cameras attract and capture unexplainable orbs, vapors, colors and shapes.”
Rating 4.5 stars out of 5. Taken 5/21/2008.

Afterwards, I returned to the hostel and had a good night’s rest. Tomorrow Yorktown and then a return to Washington D.C. for the remainder of the National Geographic Society Live events on the Hidden Treasures of Afghanistan, as well as attending “Goth Prom”.

05.21.08 Part 5: Dinner in a Colonial tavern in Williamsburg

Wednesday, 21 May 2008 - Part 5 (4:00-8:00 pm)
Williamsburg, Virginia

All the running around and driving at Jamestown made me famished when I realized I hadn’t had lunch yet. So I figured, a nice meal at a Colonial tavern in Williamsburg would do the trick. The drive back to Williamsburg wasn’t more than 15 minutes, and since Williamsburg activities were slowing down for the evening, it was a good time to find parking and setting out into Williamsburg for day 2 of wanderings and excitement. I wasn’t sure where I was gonna go, but the attractive barmaid lured me into Chowning’s Tavern without hesitation ….

Josiah Chowning’s Tavern (Duke of Gloucester Street, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia)

A wink from a cute barmaid lured me into this fine and festive, speedy service establishment. Fashioned in Colonial style decor and architecture, as is every establishment in Colonial Williamsburg, lies Josiah Chowning’s tavern in the heart of the old town. They boast a daytime menu that has quick fresh fare such as pulled pork, beef brisket, hickory-grilled hamburgers, salads, and other sandwiches. In the evening, it becomes a true 18th century rum and alehouse, serving light fare, local ales and wines, rums, and Colonial Williamsburg’s own draft root beer. Balladeers lead guests in rousing sing-alongs and constumed servers invite patrons to play popular colonial games. I feasted on the small and pricey, but delicious crab cake sandwich while sitting with a couple from Texas as there are no private tables at this pub. Entertained by fiddlers and violinists, a magician, and comedy … my quickly served dinner snacking on bowls of peanuts while awaiting the food gave my feet a good rest and my spirit an uplift as I tried to figure out entertainment for the rest of the evening. Rating: 4 stars out of 5. Visited 5/21/08.

Afterwards, I wandered around Williamsburg, watching some more re-enactments, parades, and battles. Then to wind up the evening I figured I’d do the Ghost walk and hang out at the William and Mary bookstore until the tour began.

Jamestown Colonial National Historical Park, Virginia

Jamestown National Park (Jamestown, Virginia)
Another location I haven’t been to since childhood, and a site dear to my heart of inspirations that were just one more brick in the road of my childhood that led me into Archaeology as a life passion. I remember vividly when my father took me to Jamestown, Williamsburg, Mesa Verde, and a dozen other Archaeological parks. Jamestown is much more the historical “archaeological” section of Virginia’s famous “Historical Triangle”. While Colonial Williamsburg is much more popular (and certainly more touristy) in many ways, Jamestown is much more textbook and on-hands educational and informative (in my opinion). So I knew I’d be spending most of the day at this park. I was also inspired upon entrance that instead of paying the $10 entrance fee, that I would purchase an Annual pass to the National Parks ($80) as I know I’ll be hitting quite a few of them through the year. I always felt I should have been given a life pass to them since I used to work for the National Park Service, but I suppose that’s one perk they just don’t give to their employees.

In 1893 the landowners Mr. and Mrs. Edward Barney donated 22 1/2 acres of land which held the archaeological remains of the original Jamestown settlement, the 1639 tower of the Jamestown Church, and the original fort that encompassed most of Jamestown Island. They gave it to APVA Preservation Virginia which at that time was known as the Association for the Preservation of Virginia Antiquities. In 1934, the National Park Service teamed together with APVA and created the National Park Site that exists now that is often called “Historic Jamestowne”. It was designated the “Jamestown National Historic Site” on December 18, 1940 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966 protecting it forever. This was the original site of the 1607 James Fort that was the first permanent British colony in North America and the later 17th century city of Jamestown that became the capital of the Virginia Colony that is located on Jamestown Island on the James River. Through the years erosion from the river had dissolved most of the western shore and visitors to the area just deduced that the site of James Fort was underwater. Thanks to federal assistance, a sea wall was constructed in 1900 to prevent furthere erosion and the archaeological remains were excavated and discovered in 1994. Evidence soon showed remnants of Bacon’s Rebellion that occured on this site in 1676 when the statehouse was burned and after its 2nd burning when the capital was relocated to higher ground at Middle Plantation (1699) which became the site of Colonial Williamsburg. After the relocation, this site reverted to little used farmland and became the site of Confederate earthworks during the Civil War with the intention to provide river defenses against Union gunboats. The Ambler Farm was then burned by escaped slaves and the remains slowly sunk into the vast marshes and wooded lands of the Island until its rediscovery and scientific explorations that made it the site that exists today. A very popular tourist spot, even Queen Elizabeth visited on May 4, 2007 for her second visit (the first being October 1957). Jamestowne is one of the three popular locations that comprise Virginia’s famous Historic Triangle that is nestled along the National Park Services scenic 22 mile long biway known as the Colonial Parkway.

Williamsburg, Virginia

Williamsburg, Virginia
What a quaint little history rich town. It has been quite a long time since I visited this village. In fact, not since i was a child. My parents took me here a few times and its probably one of the key influences on formulating my strong interest in history. Well at least the Colonial living history part of Williamsburg. Colonial Williamsburg is of course the key attraction to the area next to the infamous college of William and Mary (1693 - the 2nd oldest university in the United States). Also home to the first known mental hospital in the United States (Eastern State Hospital 1770) This small 12,000 populated city (2000 census) is located on the Virginia Peninsula in the the Hampton Roads region in southeastern Virginia and forms a pivotal entry point to Historic Triangle where it borders James City County (Jamestown) and York County (Yorktown) connected by the National Park Service’s 23 mile long bucolic Colonial Parkway. It was originally known as Middle Plantation that was founded in 1632 that became a fortified settlement on high grounds between the James and York Rivers where it was defensible. In 1698 it became the capital of the Virginia Colony and renamed “Williamsburg”. In 1722 it became a royal charter and was the founding block for the political events that led to the American Revolution.
Weather in the area is very temperate and seasonal with hot and humid summers and cool evenings. The mean annual temperature is 60 °F (15 °C), with an average annual snowfall of 6 inches and an average annual rainfall of 47 inches. The highest recorded temperature was 104.0°F (40.0°C) on June 26, 1952 and August 22, 1983. The lowest recorded temperature was -7.0°F (-21.6°C) on January 21, 1985. Elevation: 82 ft (15 m). Website: http://www.williamsburgva.gov/ and more information can be found at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Williamsburg%2C_Virginia.

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Historic Jamestown Virginia

Historic Colonial Williamsburg * Williamsburg, Virginia (downtown) * http://www.history.org/
In this very pristine historic living history town costumed actors bring to life the incendiary passions of the Revolution on the streets of Colonial Williamsburg so that the future may learen from the past. While you can do historic Williamsburg without purchasing a ticket, they highly encourage it and emphasize that its a must (though I didn’t have any problems without a pass). I didn’t bother with one because I only went in the evenings and late afternoons - maybe that’s why. If you’ve got it, buy a pass to help support this wonderful project. General admission passes include access to a variety of Historic Area buildings and exhibits, the Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, and regular daytime programs. Some offer discounts on evening performances and other perks. Bus transportation is included in your Colonial Williamsburg admission. Access to as many as 20 to 40 Historic Area buildings and exhibits (depending on season and operating schedules), such as the Capitol, Raleigh Tavern, Great Hopes Plantation, all historic trades sites (wheelwright, blacksmith, silversmith, milliner, wigmaker, etc.), all gardens, and all original 18th-century exhibition sites (the Courthouse, Gaol, Magazine, and the homes of Peyton Randolph and George Wythe), along with admission to Revolutionary City®. Check Colonial Williamsburg This Week for openings. Also includes Capitol tour, orientation tour, regular daytime programs*, and viewing of the movie classic Williamsburg—The Story of a Patriot. Plus, free parking at the Visitor Center and use of Historic Area shuttle buses. ($37/adults; $18 for ages 6-17)

Colonial Williamsburg is the historic district of Williamsburg, Virginia and consists of many of the buildings that existed from 1699 to 1780 that formed the colonial capital of Williamsburg and a thriving pivotal point of the historic triangle (Jamestown and Yorktown). It was once the center for Government, education, and culture in the Colony of Virginia. As a historical re-enactment village, its meant to be an interpretation of a Colonial American city with exhibits including dozens of authentic and accurately-recreated colonial houses, shops, and activity grounds including the Raleigh Tavern, the Capital building, the Governor’s Palace, and Bruton Parish Church. The Historic area is located just east of the College of William and Mary that was founded at Middle Plantation in 1693 just prior to the establishment of the town as capital of Virginia. the restoration and recreation of Colonial Williamsburg, one of the largest historic restorations ever undertaken, was championed by the Reverend Dr. W.A.R. Goodwin and the patriarch of the Rockefeller family, John D. Rockefeller, Jr., along with the active participation of his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, who wanted to celebrate the patriots and the early history of the United States.
Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Visited 5/20/08, 5/21/08, and 5/22/08.

Captain George’s Seafood, Jamestown, Virginia

Captain George’s Seafood Restaurant * 5363 Richmond Road | Williamsburg, VA 23185 * (757) 565-2323 * http://www.captaingeorges.com
A legendary enormous seafood buffet with some of the freshest and most delicious seafood available. They have four locations - one in Myrtle Beach, SC; and three in Virginia. I visited the Williamsburg, Virginia location on 5/20/08. Captain Georges was started in 1978 by George and Sherry Pitsilides who wanted to provide fresh seafood in an all-you-can eat buffet featuring more than 70 items. Their menu often consists of She-Crab Soup, New England Clam Chowder, Snow Crab Legs, Steamed Spiced Shrimp, Prime Rib, Fresh Broiled Salmon, Seafood Casserole, Steamed Clams, Steamed Mussels, Norfolk Special, Fried Scallops, Fried Trout, Fried Shrimp, Baked Imperial Crabmeat Supreme, BBQ Ribs, Hampton-Style
Crab Cakes, Stuffed Mushrooms, Broiled Chicken, Oven Fried Clam Strips, Captain’s Own Deviled Crab, Manicotti, Stuffed Clams, A Variety of Fresh Broiled Fish, Clams Casino, Oysters Rockefeller, Hard Blue Crabs, Fresh Baked Breads as the main courses with just as many vegetables and sides and desserts offered. The food was fabulous as was the service. Rating 5 stars out of 5.

The National Mall, Washington, D.C.

The National Mall * Washington, D.C. * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Mall
In the heart of D.C. connecting the Capital building, Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial is a green open-are National Park and recreational strip called “The National Mall”. It was originally conceived by Peter Charles L’Enfant during the construction of Washington D.C. in 1791. Because of its size and width, open expanse - its often the site for many protests and rallies. Most popular rallies in the area were the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedoms, a massive rally for African-American civil rights, at which Martin Luther King Jr gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech. In 1969 it was home to the largest officially recorded rally known as the Vietnam War Moratorium. In 2004 the Nation of Islam leader Min Louis Farrakhan was the Million Man March. In 2007 tens of thousands of Iraq War protesters converged here as well. This green strip also serves as a popular spot for picnics, walks, jogs, and kite flying. Each year several events are held here including 4th of July celebrations. In July and August there are annual Screen on the Green movie festivals. Rating: 5 stars out of 5. Visited 2007 and 2008.

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