Williamsburg

Reenactor Heads To Work

Historic buildings. No cars. A wide, flat path. And even a few other runners.

Scampering through Wiliamsburg’s historic district early on a chilly Saturday morning was a refreshing run through the past. In some respects, it reminded me of early morning dashes through the National Mall in D.C., only not quite as much traffic and a shorter distance from end-to-end.

Although most of the buildings – some authentic and others rebuilt as close as possible to the original – were not open yet, I still got a chance to snap photos in the morning sun. As I worked my way down some of the side streets, I said hello to horses, sheep and cows bred to be similar to the animals of colonial times. Along the way, I waved hello to a couple dozen other runners, I’m guessing a combination of William & Mary students and members of the Colonial Road Runners.

I haven’t always been a fan of Williamsburg. In some respects, it reminds me of a fictional plastic world in a Disney-like sort of way. But I have warmed to the idea of recreating a slice of the past so people can get a better understanding of it.

Williamsburg, the state capital from 1699 to 1780, is home to William & Mary, the U.S.’s second oldest college. George Wythe is one of the town’s most celebrated residents. The first ever U.S. law professor shaped the concepts behind the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. He was a mentor to Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, James Monroe, Edmund Randolph, Henry Clay and many other colonial leaders.

The restoration of the town began in the 1920s, largely financed by John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Today, there are 88 original buildings and hundreds of others recreated based on the best available information of what the structures looked like in the past. Reenactors play the role of historic figures, craftsmen, store owners and common townfolk.

After my run, Col and I spent about four hours listening in on a tour, roaming the streets and ducking into shops. At night, we went to a concert featuring Rosanne Cash.

38 runs down, 96 to go.


View Williamsburg in a larger map

Running Through History
Running Through History II
Runner In Front of  the Governor's Palace
Governor's Palace
Reenactor Heads To Work
Our Tour Guide
Wythe
The Magazine
Cannon
Courthouse
Bruton Parish Church
Wheelwright
St. George Tucker House
Wren Building
Historic Sheep
Hisoric Sheep Licking Historic Salt
Historic Cows
Historic Horse
Historic Horses at Work
Williamsburg Lodge
We Got The Pig Room
Near the steps
Bunnies In The Hallway
Our Room
Food For Thought
Rosanne Cash
John Leventhal
Rosanne Cash
Bruce Hornsby
All Three

Running Through History

A few of the runners I saw along the way.

Running Through History II

Runner In Front of the Governor's Palace

Governor's Palace

Reenactor Heads To Work

Our Tour Guide

Wythe

Reenactor pokes his head out of the George Wythe House.

The Magazine

It housed guns and ammunition that were used to fend off Native Americans, slave revolts, riots and pirate raids.

Cannon

Outside of the Guard House

Courthouse

The courthouse was undergoing maintenance

Bruton Parish Church

The structure dates back to 1715.

Wheelwright

They made the wheels for wagons and carriages.

St. George Tucker House

You can't go in unless you donate $100 per year.

Wren Building

Part of William & Mary, it is the oldest academic structure in the U.S.

Historic Sheep

Hisoric Sheep Licking Historic Salt

Historic Cows

Historic Horse

Historic Horses at Work

Williamsburg Lodge

Where we stayed

We Got The Pig Room

Near the steps

Bunnies In The Hallway

Our Room

Food For Thought

Decent food that was healthier than most places.

Rosanne Cash

She played in the ballroom of the lodge. We had seats in the fourth row.

John Leventhal

She was accompanied by John Leventhal, also a Grammy winner.

Rosanne Cash

Bruce Hornsby

Hornsby was a surprise guest. He had about three hours to prepare. Since there wasn't a piano, he ended up using an accordion with a broken strap.

All Three

John Leventhal, Bruce Hornsby and Rosanne Cash.

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