A Walk Through Time and History

Colonial Williamsburg offers something for history buffs of all ages: buildings, architecture, and furnishings; art, design, and portraiture; historical context and biography; artisanship demonstrations; and even a little shameless commercialism. But whatever one's interest, my advice to you if you plan to visit is to wear comfortable shoes because you'll do a lot of walking!

My wife, our daughter and her family, and I recently visited Colonial Williamsburg and now know firsthand just how much walking is involved. We spent the most part of two days there and still didn't see everything. But we certainly got our steps in!

Colonial Williamsburg comprises 301 acres, is a mile long and a half mile wide, has three main thoroughfares with numerous connecting streets, and hundreds of restored structures, many of them original to the site and era. It's a 1/3-mile walk from the Visitor Center just to get to the town itself. By Day 2, we were opting to ride the free shuttle bus to and from the town. (Carriage rides are available for a separate fee, but they are short in duration; travel a standard route, not necessarily where you might want to go; and are quite expensive.)

The principal sites at Williamsburg are the Capitol, the Governor's Palace, the Armory, the Courthouse, the Peyton Randolph House, the George Wythe House, and Raleigh Tavern. Between these prime sites are numerous other interesting homes, shops, churches, and other structures.

During our visit, not all of the artisans were available, but we did see several, and most of them enthusiastically explained their respective tasks as they worked: spinning, gunsmithing, engraving, printing, shoemaking and breeches making, etc.

What impressed me most about our visit was the content of the scripts followed by several of the docent-reenactors. The first such docent portrayed George Washington as he delivered advice to the nation in his farewell following the end of his second term in office: no factions (i.e., political parties), no national debt, and no entangling foreign alliances. Subsequent generations failed to heed his advice. We'd be much better off today if they had.

Another impressive demonstration of context was by the docent at the Capitol, who explained the operations of the colonial legislature and how the legislators, after the governor had dissolved the governing body, pledged their lives, fortunes, and personal honor to gain independence and form a new government of, by, and for the people. Many of them, notably Patrick Henry, thereby became wanted men, traitors to the Crown, with a bounty on their heads, and royalists were given an order to shoot to kill them on sight.

The vision to preserve this historic area was the brainchild of John D. Rockefeller and Rev. W.A.R. Goodwin. Together, they made that dream a reality, and the preservation, restoration, and educati0nal activities they envisioned continue to this day.

My only complaints from our visit involve only a handful of the docents and the manner in which they presented and the inconsideration of many of the visitors.

Whether from boredom, fatigue, time limitations, or simply having repeated the same things over and over to different groups of visitors, some of the docents rattled off their statistics and explanations so fast that it was hard to understand them. They need to be reminded that although they might know what they're saying, others don't and require more time to digest the information. Most docents were enthusiastic, making the information come alive for visitors. A few, however, were less so, even verging on lethargic and boring presentations, leaving guests disappointed.

As for the guests, many of them entered a presentation that was already underway, talking loudly as though they were still outside. Many continued to talk among themselves, making it hard for others to hear the docent. One woman near me even carried on a loud cell phone conversation in the midst of the docent's presentation and then, when another member of her family entered, engaged in a loud domestic dispute. No one could hear the docent. They should have had the courtesy to take their argument outside.

Overall, however, it was a good, educational visit, and it gave us some valuable, even priceless, time with two grandchildren. If you go to Colonial Williamsburg, I hope you'll have a similarly enjoyable experience. Just wear comfortable walking shoes, and don't ruin the visit for others by talking over the docents!