A Colonial Christmas
We have been blessed to live in a very interesting area of the country. Within a couple of hours of our home we have world renowned beaches, beautiful national and state parks and historical sites- all of which are vacation destinations for the rest of the country, if not the world.
One of our favorite destinations is Colonial Williamsburg. I believe every school-age child learns about this colonial capital during the elementary school years (4th grade if you are a Virginia student). Every year over a million visitors travel to this historic site, many during the Christmas season.
The Yuletide begins with a bang in Williamsburg. The first weekend in December marks the Grand Illumination. The town lights up with fireworks, bonfires and candles burning in the windows of the historic buildings. Each home and shop decorates with natural resources and creates such a beautiful setting for carriage rides, costumed characters and even ice skating!
We made a quick trip up there on a cold, dreary day this past weekend. Although the weather was a bit frightful, we found the trip delightful. Here are some pictures of the beautiful sites you might see during a trip during the holiday season.
Even though the weather may be a bit cold and dreary, there are little booths with hot cider and hot chocolate along the main street- Duke of Gloucester. They also have the most delightful ginger spice cookies at the Raleigh Tavern Bake shop.
Carriage rides are available for viewing the sites.
Bruton Parish Church, which opened in 1677, welcomes visitors today just like it did when our founding fathers- Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry and George Wythe, to name a few- worshipped here.
Behind the wall is a historic graveyard. There are many ghost stories set here!
This beautiful wreath was hung inside.
Occasionally, a Fife and Drum Corp parade will march by. We were also delighted to hear bagpipes this day!
Beautiful wreaths adorn every door.
There are other beautiful arrangements placed on fences and porches.
You do not want to get too close to this house. According to the Ghost Tour I took a couple of years ago at Halloween, it is super haunted!
This reminds me of the scales of justice. I wonder if a William and Mary Law student or professor lives here?
The Governor's Mansion is always a lovely sight, especially decked out in holiday finery, and even on a dreary day.
There was so much more to see and not enough room to show it all! If you have not had the opportunity to visit this historic area, I hope you do soon. Besides the beauty of the sites, it is amazing to think about how we travel the same roads and visit the same sites as our founding fathers did on the eve of the American Revolution.
Wherever you are celebrating the holiday, I hope that is is a very Happy one and I thank you for stopping by today.
Merry Christmas!
~Cynthia
One of our favorite destinations is Colonial Williamsburg. I believe every school-age child learns about this colonial capital during the elementary school years (4th grade if you are a Virginia student). Every year over a million visitors travel to this historic site, many during the Christmas season.
The Yuletide begins with a bang in Williamsburg. The first weekend in December marks the Grand Illumination. The town lights up with fireworks, bonfires and candles burning in the windows of the historic buildings. Each home and shop decorates with natural resources and creates such a beautiful setting for carriage rides, costumed characters and even ice skating!
We made a quick trip up there on a cold, dreary day this past weekend. Although the weather was a bit frightful, we found the trip delightful. Here are some pictures of the beautiful sites you might see during a trip during the holiday season.
Even though the weather may be a bit cold and dreary, there are little booths with hot cider and hot chocolate along the main street- Duke of Gloucester. They also have the most delightful ginger spice cookies at the Raleigh Tavern Bake shop.
Carriage rides are available for viewing the sites.
Bruton Parish Church, which opened in 1677, welcomes visitors today just like it did when our founding fathers- Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Patrick Henry and George Wythe, to name a few- worshipped here.
Behind the wall is a historic graveyard. There are many ghost stories set here!
This beautiful wreath was hung inside.
Occasionally, a Fife and Drum Corp parade will march by. We were also delighted to hear bagpipes this day!
Beautiful wreaths adorn every door.
There are other beautiful arrangements placed on fences and porches.
You do not want to get too close to this house. According to the Ghost Tour I took a couple of years ago at Halloween, it is super haunted!
This reminds me of the scales of justice. I wonder if a William and Mary Law student or professor lives here?
The Governor's Mansion is always a lovely sight, especially decked out in holiday finery, and even on a dreary day.
There was so much more to see and not enough room to show it all! If you have not had the opportunity to visit this historic area, I hope you do soon. Besides the beauty of the sites, it is amazing to think about how we travel the same roads and visit the same sites as our founding fathers did on the eve of the American Revolution.
Wherever you are celebrating the holiday, I hope that is is a very Happy one and I thank you for stopping by today.
Merry Christmas!
~Cynthia
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