Weekend in Williamsburg, VA

It truly is an awesome experience. Virginia in the 18th-century is what Colonial Williamsburg takes you back to. It's almost like stepping into a time machine. Williamsburg, Virginia, is located on Interstate 64, 150 miles south of Washington D.C., 50 miles east of Richmond, and 50 miles west of Norfolk. In the middle of the city of Williamsburg lies Colonial Williamsburg, a trip back in time. Life there truly appears as it did back then. There is a 173-acre Historic area of life on the eve of the American Revolution.

There is the mile long "main street", Duke of Gloucester street, and tunneling below is the Colonial Parkway, which connects Colonial Williamsburg to nearby Yorktown and Jamestown. Each day at Colonial Williamsburg brings a variety of activities and programs you can participate in. They have a rotating schedule for the regular programs, but as the seasons change their special programs change too. Each year at special times they also have re-enactments of important colonial history moments.

Mid-February they have a celebration of George Washington. Of the first five American Presidents, four were Virginians. George Washington and Thomas Jefferson were two. Programs historical re-enactments, and lectures during Presidents Weekend celebrate our early leaders. George Washington’s birthday is February twenty-second. The activities that weekend include George Washington’s traditional review of the troops. Mid-June is Brothers in Arms: The African-American Military Experience. From the Revolutionary War to World War II African-American men representing soldiers take up temporary residence at Carter's Grove to demonstrate military techniques, discuss life in military camps, and re-enact hard fought historic battles.

Late-June Under the Redcoat: Lord Cornwallis Occupies Williamsburg. Prior to the battle of Yorktown, 1781, British soldiers occupy the city by imposing martial law. At Market Square more than 200 military re-enactors camp, setup military checkpoints, patrol the city, and conduct courts martial. Make sure you know the password if your wandering the city at night. Fourth of July Independence Day - They begin the day with Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps salute to the 13 colonies.

The Declaration of Independence is read from the Courthouse steps at noon. The Governor's Palace has a garden party at evening with entertainment and Virginia delicacies. The 4th ends with a salute on Palace Green and of course fireworks. Mid-July A Town Unchained: The Continental Army Encamps at Williamsburg. In 1781 under command of the Marquis de Lafayette Continental troops march into the city, prior to the battle of Yorktown, to relieve it's citizens of British Martial law. Lafayette’s arrival is converged on by more than 200 re-enactors.

In Early-September A Call to Arms and Action: A Muster of Troops and the first Virginia Convention. British and American colonies relations worsened and delegates were elected to a new American government. Groups of armed citizens organized in response to the Boston Tea Party. 18th-century diversions and a horse race are part of the weekend's re-enactments.

This is such a short description of Colonial Williamsburg and all it has to offer. It is truly a wonderful and amazing experience, and an excellent history lesson of how our country was founded, all in one. If you have seen Mel Gibson’s "The Patriot" movie this place is the real thing, where it all actually took place. And the movie, which I loved, does not do justice to the real experience of seeing and being a part of the true history. I highly recommend you visit this awesome place and piece of American history if you ever get a chance.

Bruton Parish was formed in1674 by merging earlier parishes in Williamsburg, Virginia, dating to 1633. It was named for an English Parish on the River Brue in Somerset, where it’s founding fathers, Governor Sir William Berkeley, and Secretary of Virginia, Thomas Ludwell.

In colonial times, church and state were united in Virginia. All office holders were obliged by law to attend church regularly. Yet, Virginia Anglicans (Episcopalians) led in the disestablishment of the church.

Bruton Parish and Williamsburg settled into a gradual decline following the revolution. In 1840, the colonial plan of the interior was reversed so one faced west toward the altar.

Bruton’s age old cruciform plan was not usual in Virginia colonial churches. It arose here less from religious symbolism than from a desire to accommodate college and government personnel during special times. The church is symmetrical; chancel and the nave are equal. The use of arched doors and both round and arched windows is typical of the period. The church tower, topped by a beige wooden steeple, was added in 1769; during the Revolution its bell served as the local "liberty bell", rung to summon people for announcements. And the spire is unusual-a distinction reserved for the colony’s capital. The white pews, tall and boxed in, are characteristic of the stark graceful Colonial Ecclesiastical Architecture of the region. The stone baptismal font is believed to have come from an older Jamestown church.

During its restoration in 1995-1997, forty-two graves were identified within the church and its graveyard. The more prominent graves are marked by stones in the floor of the church, and many more eighteenth century gravestones may be found in the church yard. Since all the early stones were imported from England, many of the graves which entirely fill the grounds are unmarked.

Today Bruton Parish has the largest congragation in its history. It’s twenty-four hundred members, college students and Williamsburg’s visitors usually fill the church’s 500 seats for the various services held on Sundays and Holy Days.