Over our spring break, our family took a trip to Williamsburg, VA, and Kessie was excited to visit the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast as a part of her ongoing Council Quest!
Kessie immediately became a patriot when the militia played Yankee Doodle on their fifes and drums.
While in Colonial Williamsburg, we earned the patch available to Girl Scouts after completing the requirements. One of the requirements was to take a tour of a government building such as the Governor's Palace. We thought the home was very elegant and stately, but during the months before the Revolutionary War, the home was not always peaceful. Many patriots in Williamsburg, such as Patrick Henry, were angry with the royal governor and even almost stormed into the palace. The conditions worsened to the point at which the Governor decided to escape with his family to a ship.
Inside the palace, the Governor and his wife held grand balls each year. Before the war, George Washington was a frequent guest. All the ladies of Williamsburg hoped for a chance to dance with Washington because he was such a good dancer! Kessie was excited to have her "portrait" made in this room!
On the side of the Palace, the royal crest is a fine decoration, displaying the wealth of the Governor. The crest sits on the outside wall of the dining room which has been painted in the 18th century fashion: the paint, called verdigris, was made from cow manure and copper and it showed, through its bright green color, the wealth of the family.
Just outside of the Palace is a garden maze. Kessie tried not to get lost!
In Colonial Williamsburg, we saw many horses pulling wagons full of goods and pulling carriages full of people. The wheels on the cart were probably made in the Wheelwright's shop and the horse's shoes were probably made in the blacksmith's shop just like they were made over 200 years ago! We visited these trades as a part of our Girl Scout patch as well.
We also visited many other sites in Williamsburg such as the Public Gaol (Jail), the Magazine, the courthouse, and private homes. One house we toured was the Peyton Randolph House, home of the elected president of the Second Continental Congress who passed away before he was able to serve his term. At his home, we learned more about slave life in Williamsburg as well.
Kessie wanted to see what it might be like to live in a gaol, or jail, in the 18th century, but after a few minutes she decided that she did not enjoy being imprisoned!
Finally, we toured the Capitol building. This was the site where the Virginia delegates to the House of Burgesses debated and discussed the issues facing them and proposed new legislation. It was also here that they wrote the Virginia Constitution and decided to vote for independence in the American Revolution! Kessie imagined being a part of these exciting experiences and decisions!
Here is the
patch we received for touring Colonial Williamsburg and learning about its history. We had a fantastic trip and so did Kessie!
Tip: Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast mailed us the patches since we weren't going to be near their council shop. If you are earning Girl Scout patches on your travels, don't feel that you have to drive out of your way just to purchase the patches. Council shops are happy to mail them to you. You do pay shipping, but it's much cheaper than what the gas would often cost.
