Williamsburg Field Trip - Part 1

A few weeks ago DH came home with the news that he still had a few more vacation days he needed to use this fall. We mulled over several possibilities, but finally decided on a trip to Williamsburg/Jamestown. It is a fairly easy drive from where we live and we could do most of the activities in a two day/one night stay...which made it affordable. My mom offered to come up and stay with Robbie. As much as I hate leaving him behind, it was easier for DH and I to see the exhibits and take tours with the older girls. Plus, he had a blast with his Mamaw.

We left early Thursday morning and got to our hotel a little after 1pm. After dropping off our bags and picking up the tickets we headed down to Jamestown.


First, the National Park Jamestown Fort. Although there was a fairly long walking tour, we concentrated on the Fort and the Archearium.



Jamestown is a working archeological dig.

They are currently digging out the original well that John Smith dug for Jamestown. The well, turned briney and became a garbage pit after a new well was dug. Most of the artifacts they are finding are dating to the starving time, and includes bones of the small creatures (rats) they ate...ewww.
This a a model of the fort. Mary was really excited to see this, as one of her projects a few weeks ago was to draw a map of the fort. It looked very similar to this model.

Since foot traffic was very light at the museum when we were there, the workers were able to stop and talk to us about what they had been finding.

Here the girls are looking at Native pottery shards that no one else has seen in 400 years. They were just screened out of that pile of dirt that afternoon.

The National Park Service also operates a museum, called an archearium, where they display all the remains and artifacts they have uncovered in the last two decades. As we entered the girls were each given a picture scavenger hunt for an award at the end.

Mary had to find a silver "ear picker". Worn around the neck of a wealthy person, they used it to clean their teeth, clean under their fingernails and remove ear wax.


Let's just add that to my Christmas list.

Katie had to find a group of blue glass beads that were used for trading with the natives. And, Emily was sent in search of a double fish hook.

It was a great activity for the girls, and the docent made sure that we had to cover the whole exhibit area to find them all.

After that we paid homage to Pocahontas
We visited the glassblowers.

The day was kind of chilly and damp. Those hot ovens felt so good to stand nearby.
Here the glassblowers are making glasses that are sold in the gift shop. Beautiful pieces. We found out the glassblowing was one of the earliest industries created in Jamestown due to the abundance of sand and trees for fuel.
One of these men had been working at Jamestown for 12 years as a glassblower.
After the glassblowers, a short trip up the road took us to the Virginia Commonwealth Jamestown Settlement museum. Continue this visit in Part II.

Peace,

Amy