We went to Colonial Williamsburg for a day. Our visit started with a tour of the Governor's Palace, a reconstruction of the original 18th century building occupied first by Alexander Spotswood, and subsequently by six other royal governors.
Our docent gave us an orientation to proper colonial behavior and the colonies, including how to bow and curtsy. She asked about where people were from. We claimed to be from the Maryland colony.
We then entered the palace proper, which was impressively large and decorous inside, reflecting the wealth and the power of the British empire.
The room on the left of the entry is the pantry, featuring many comforts needed for visitors and the family.
On the right is a room used to entertain guests.
We went upstairs and saw the living quarters. Above the main entrance is the main hall where the children would play. An old piano still stands in the hall.
The bedrooms were used by the family and guests. The canopy beds were functional (providing more warmth in the winter and fly protection in the summer) and ostentatious.
The guest room has a nice, simple green bed for visitors.
At one point, the eldest girls of a governor had their own room where they would prepare for balls. Preparations include dressing and learning new steps to the latest dances.
Downstairs are more entertaining rooms (the royal governor did throw many parties).
The guide taught us some simple steps to the various dances. Some maneuvers are designed to show off a fancy dress. The final room was another refreshment and chatting area.
The backyard has a formal garden for strolling.
The rear view of the house shows the living area of the mansion along with the addition of the ballroom and refreshment room leading to the back gardens.
Around the side of the house is the stables, carriage house, and other useful buildings. Included is a well for water, which my daughter found fascinating.
From the palace, we wandered down the palace green to see more of the colonial buildings.
More from Williamsburg in the next post!
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| Governor's Palace, Colonial Williamsburg |
Our docent gave us an orientation to proper colonial behavior and the colonies, including how to bow and curtsy. She asked about where people were from. We claimed to be from the Maryland colony.
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| The colonies, some much bigger than their current state |
We then entered the palace proper, which was impressively large and decorous inside, reflecting the wealth and the power of the British empire.
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| Entrance |
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| Front hall |
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| Crest of King George II, surrounded by weapons |
The room on the left of the entry is the pantry, featuring many comforts needed for visitors and the family.
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| Pantry fireplace |
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| Pantry desk and stores |
On the right is a room used to entertain guests.
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| Fireplace in reception room |
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| Seating and paperwork |
We went upstairs and saw the living quarters. Above the main entrance is the main hall where the children would play. An old piano still stands in the hall.
 |
| Piano and seating for the children |
The bedrooms were used by the family and guests. The canopy beds were functional (providing more warmth in the winter and fly protection in the summer) and ostentatious.
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| Bedroom |
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| The extra space in the bedroom, not much! |
The guest room has a nice, simple green bed for visitors.
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| Guest bed |
At one point, the eldest girls of a governor had their own room where they would prepare for balls. Preparations include dressing and learning new steps to the latest dances.
 |
| Girls' bedroom with a fancy dress |
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| Bed |
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| Dressing table |
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| A book describing dance steps! |
Downstairs are more entertaining rooms (the royal governor did throw many parties).
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| Music room? |
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| The fireplace |
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| The ballroom |
The guide taught us some simple steps to the various dances. Some maneuvers are designed to show off a fancy dress. The final room was another refreshment and chatting area.
 |
| Iron stove heating for the refreshment room |
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| Fancy doorway |
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| Fancy chandelier |
The backyard has a formal garden for strolling.
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| Back door of the Governor's Palace |
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| Formal gardens |
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| Some blooming plants |
The rear view of the house shows the living area of the mansion along with the addition of the ballroom and refreshment room leading to the back gardens.
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| Back of the house |
Around the side of the house is the stables, carriage house, and other useful buildings. Included is a well for water, which my daughter found fascinating.
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| Well |
From the palace, we wandered down the palace green to see more of the colonial buildings.
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| Palace Green |
More from Williamsburg in the next post!
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