Immersed in History

   Williamsburg, Virginia was the capitol of the state from 1699 to 1780. It was here men like George Washington helped decide the fate of our first thirteen colonies. Several buildings give you the taste of the times and lives of those who lived during the revolution.

The Capitol Building

   The Capitol Building housed the Council Chamber, General Court, and the House of Burgesses. Patrick Henry delivered his speech against the stamp act, and George Mason wrote the Declaration of Rights for Virginia here. Jefferson was governor during the Revolutionary war. Later when the capitol moved to Richmond, the British took over the town.
   Virginia declared independence from England on June 29,1776 just five days before the nation did so in Philadelphia on July 4th, 1776.


   The Bruton Parish Church was attended by the governors, whose names are on a plaque in the narrow auditorium. The governor had a very ornate chair set aside for him. Others from the House of Burgess also attended. George Washington's pew has his name on it. There was an excellent pipe organ concert the night we visited.

Bruton Parish Church

 
   The governor's Mansion was decorated in the style and colors of the period. Bright greens & blues dominated the drawing room. Heavy ornate white wood surrounded windows and doors. A tour was conducted by a lady in colonial dress and knowledgeable of the people who lived there and the times. The gardens were large and done in the English style of hedges and flowers.
   
   We heard a speech by a man dressed as George Washington and he also answered questions from the crowd. There were several acts put on in the streets and before the capitol in the afternoon. They were entertaining and informative. The man on the horse is Aaron Burr after he defected to the English.

The traitor - Aaron Burr

Governor's Mansion and Gardens