FROM AMERICAN REVOLUTION TO PLANTATION LIVING

Hampton Inn/Richmond Road

Williamsburg, Virginia

Friday, April 9, 2021

79 F, Sunny, drops of rain in the afternoon

 

Today’s adventure started along the York River at the American Revolution Museum (built in 2013) in Yorktown.  I really liked the way the museum had a variety of artifacts, as well as short films along the way to provide background of the American Revolution. Exhibits were clearly explained, and visitors could see the perspective of the English, the Patriots, the African Americans, the Native Americans, and the French. Of course, there was a focus on Virginia’s part and the Battle of Yorktown, but the Thirteen Colonies were well represented, as well as the major battles.

 

The re-created Continental Army encampment portrays 1790/91 and we learned about the life of a soldier, camp life, and cooking. Musket firing added to the sensory experience.

Continental Army Encampment

The small tents  housed six soldiers. 

In the distance (right side), the tent with scalloped edges was the Colonel's

The two tents in the middle were the company commanders, probably captains. 

The general found quarters elsewhere, presumably in a house/mansion/plantation

Inside the colonel's quarters

 

The Revolution era farm was based on a real life 18^th century middle class family, with different aspects of every day life.

Weaving in the main room of a middle class farmhouse

She is spinning wool. The loom is on the left.

Parlor/Bedroom of a middle class farm house (it is apparent this family is using 

the 2nd room of their house for a bedroom. There is a 2nd floor with a low roof--the children's bedroom

Kitchen in a separate structure. She is making a pot roast

L to R: slave quarters, covered work area, farm kitchen, farm house

Pasture with split rail fence. My grandparents' farm has fences like this in Bear Lake, PA

Vegetable garden-onions, peas, beans, lettuce, kale, cabbage, carrots, and more!

This was a tobacco farm

Barred Rock chickens. Free range!! Usually the farm has an old breed, 

but because of Covid, they could not get chicks last year. 

After a light lunch at the museum’s cafeteria, we returned to Williamsburg for a stop at Whitley’s Peanuts, even some for identified readers of this blog, maybe.

 

Another scenic drive is VA Rt. 5, the road to Richmond. Since we wanted to visit a plantation along the James River, we headed west on this very route.  According to literature, Berkeley Plantation is Virginia’s most historic plantation.  It was the home of Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence and three times. William Henry Harrison (“Tippecanoe”), Benjamin’s third son, was born at Berkeley and became the 9^th President of the United States. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, was the 23^rd President.

 

This early Georgian mansion was built in 1726—it is said to be the oldest 3-story brick house in Virginia that can prove its date.  I love entering these homes to see the dining room, always my favorite. We were not allowed to take photos, but the cream colored plaster walls, the gold and blue drapes, cherry corner cupboard, the sideboard, the crystal candlesticks, colonial table, and shield backed chairs looked perfect. I told TK that I wish our dining room was that large!  Homes in this area, whether middle or upper class had a separate building for its kitchen because of the heat.

"Driveway" to Berekley Plantation

Front of the main house/Berkeley Plantation (originally 8000 acres)

Guest House

Looking from the mansion to the James River

 

The James River was in view of the mansion, and during the Civil War Union Forces encamped at the plantation, not far from Richmond. “Taps” was composed on this site at that time, and I believe the Pennsylvania 83^rd Infantry Regiment was there at the time.  President Abraham Lincoln visited Berkeley to review General McClelland’s Army of 140,000 Union soldiers.

 

We had dinner at Indian Fields Tavern, a restaurant we saw on VA Rt. 5 as we went to Berkeley. They had the best fried chicken on the planet. The bread pudding was tasty too. 

 

History infuses this area, and it has certainly energized me. TK says not so much for him, but he has enjoyed the trip too.  I am sure happy we decided to take this little getaway. Tomorrow we will head back to Erie, Pennsylvania.