Day 8 - Colonial Williamsburg

The Capitol - Where the House of Burgesses, elected by the people and the Executive Committee, selected by the Governor commenced their meetings. This is where the capitol crimes were tried and the phrase "Passing the bar" came from, in the Capital when a trial was in place the only people allowed to set foot in the front of the room, or "pass the bar" (a sort of fancy gate) were lawyers and the judge. (with the exception of the jury)




Crimes punished by death included: treason, murder, rape, horse thievery and swine thievery on the third attempt. (funny little factoid)


R. Charlton's Coffeehouse - The best place for many a gentlemen and politician to converse. The coffeehouse was the source for local gossip, politics and a stimulating good time, as the servers explained. Grab your friends and tour the coffeehouse ending with a delightful taste of coffee, tea or chocolate (right) served in revolutionary era cup and saucer.



Milliner - If you needed to make some adjustments to an old dress or your husband needed a new suit you would be visiting the milliner. They had everything from cushioned caps to protect a child's head to dolls for little girls. The Milliner always carrying the latest French fashions, since trade with England had stopped France was the best option.





Shoe Maker - Making shoes was lengthy process, many times you would have several shoe makers, each working on a different process of the shoe, measuring and cutting the leather, stitching and binding, adding the glue and nailing the sole. They made sure to always have the more common sizes in stock and custom orders could take a week to fulfill depending of their current work load. Completed shoes (left) and the foot molds use to shape the shoes. (right)

Your apprenticeship would last 7 years, whether you were a shoe maker, a silver smith or a cabinet maker. It was expensive and you would actually live and work with your master while you were an apprentice.

Silver Smith (Getty House) - They had many beautiful pieces in the house but there were no demonstrations because silver smithing had come to a screeching fault. During the time of the Revolution the colonist signed a pact that they would not do any business with England, therefore Mr. Getty had to give-up his business altogether. All of Mr. Getty's silver came from England and silver was yet to be found in this new land.

 

Apothecary - This is your modern day pharmacy, but you don't need a prescription, if you know what you need you just go down to the Apothecary and purchase it. Another one of Stephen's favorites, he loves seeing how medicine was practiced in the late 1700's.




Maze at the Governor's Palace - The maze was fun and pretty easy to get through because some of the hedge you could actually see through to the other side and know if you were heading in the right direction. Regardless, it was fun getting lost in the maze with my husband, I could see the appeal especially during a young couples' courtship how a few moments alone would seem so special.


Wheelwright - In this building they were making wheels of all sizes, for wheelbarrows, carriages etc. We were able to see them shape the wheel, after it had it's metal support they would scrape off an extra wood that would be beyond the support of the metal frame. Many of these shops had to work closely with the others, as this one did with the blacksmith.

DoG Street Pub - We had to enjoy our last night in Virginia by returning to one of our favorite places where good food was guaranteed. DoG Street Pub did not disappoint and the Sticky Toffee Pudding...Amazing!!!