Shady Lady, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

On a hot, sunny day in Virginia, the costumed employee of Colonial Williamsburg brought her own shade in the form of this broad brimmed hat.  Not exactly certain where she got that coffee cup in 1774, but we will investigate further.

Authenticity In Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

In Colonial Williamsburg everything is painstakingly maintained or restored as authentically and historically accurate as possible. Some authenticity - particularly on a warm summer day - is not necessarily as appreciated, but horses and oxen do their part to add to the ambiance.

Easy Equine Afternoon, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

The horses at Colonial Williamsburg do their fair share of work pulling carriages and carts and transporting important colonial mounts.  But, when they get a day off, they wander the pastures located in and around the colonial/historic district. These three happily munched away in the shade of the small stand of trees.

Visiting in the Garden Shop, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

Even the gardeners take a break for a little light conversation in Colonial Williamsburg. They are very happy to answer questions from tourists as well as other "colonials."

Liberty Lass At Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

While visiting Colonial Williamsburg, this young lass tested out the latest in fashion for those looking for liberty in 1774.

Unusual Shopping At Colonial Williamburg, Virginia

Pewter musket balls are not every day fare in most stores; however, not so in Colonial Williamsburg

Garden View Of Bruton Parish Church, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

This photo of one corner of the Nursery garden in Colonial Williamsburg is backed by historic Bruton Parish Church.

Live Oak, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

This large, old live oak tree stands behind the courthouse in Colonial Williamsburg and provides shade for horses and people in the summer heat, like yesterday when it was about 100 F. There are several long benches under it that provide a great place to snack or watch one of the fife and drum or military presentations regularly presented here. To give you an idea of the size of the tree, the man with the child is about six feet tall.

Macaroni Prints At The Greenhow Store, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia

We went through the Greenhow store in Colonial Williamsburg when family visited recently and saw these "Macaroni" prints.  To be a macaroni was an insult which is why and how the term is used in the song "Yankee Doodle."

One website uses this quote from the book Georgiana by Amanda Foreman to explain the term, as follows:

‘The term ‘macaroni’ was coined to describe the fashionable young fops of the 1770s. The term probably originated in the 1760s when members of the short lived Macaroni club brought attention to themselves by their prediliction for all things foreign, especially food. Macaronis were much criticised in the press. The Oxford Magazine complained: “There is indeed a kind of animal, neither male, nor female, a thing of neuter gender, lately started up among us. It is called a Macaroni. It talks without meaning, it smiles without pleasure, it eats without appetite, it rides without exercise, it wenches without passion.”‘

There seems to a macaroni print available many members of society.

New Addition To The Visitor Center, Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg, Virginia

Colonial Williamsburg's Visitor Center, the starting place for your journey into colonial life, has added a cafe to its amenities. In addition to buying your admission pass to the museums, you can catch the bus or begin a walk to the historic district, shop and now, grab a snack - all before you see the main attraction.  You should also watch the movie, "Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot," starring Jack Lord of Hawaii Five-O fame, which introduces you to the history of the area. It is the longest running movie in American cinema history having been shown since 1957.   Click here for a brief clip.

Happy Fourth of July From Williamsburg, Virginia

Happy Fourth of July from Colonial Williamsburg!

This patriotic display, featuring fife and drum, is in one of the shops operated by Colonial Williamsburg and seemed very apropos for the day.