Hike our “” trail

At

Williamsburg

Colonial Council Boy Scouts of America

CL003

Nov-98 Williamsburg Trail

Created By

Peter Wrike, Troop Father, Troop 116, Mathews, Va

The following pages outline a walking tour of . The tour has been designed to avoid the expenses and delay which are sometimes encountered in the “official” Colonial Williamsburg Tour. However, you will not be ale to enter many of the historical buildings which you will pass. You may wish to return, at a later date, and take advantage of the opportunities offered by the “official” tour.

We feel that this tour is better adopted to Boy Scout troops because:

 The tour requires no money;  The tour is five (5) miles;  The tour is logical: - It involves women, minorities, dramatic incidents, little known facts, and other information. - Tour emphasizes values, education, civic service, craftsmanship, and service.  The tour is designed for young boys. It keeps them moving!  The tour goes by all drinks, vending areas, water fountains, and restrooms.  The tour group can park in “free” areas, such as , College of William and Mary, and other areas.

Please have your boys answer the questions found at the end of the Tour Description. You may want to review them now so that you may emphasize points in the tour which will help them understand the answers.

Nov-98 2 A WALKING TOUR OF COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG

See map for site locations. Some sites on this tour may not be entered without a tour pass.

This walking tour does not require the entry of these buildings. Those buildings offering tours at no charge are so noted.

1. The College of William and Mary – The

The second oldest college and oldest academic building in continuous use in America.

Tour (no charge).

2. The John Blair House and Kitchen

The Blair family has a log association with the College of William and Mary (

was the founder and first president). The kitchen is occupied by an employee of

Colonial Williamsburg and the formal herb garden is one of the finest in Williamsburg.

3. The Bowden-Armistead House

This is a fine example of one of the post-Colonial homes in Williamsburg. It is also one

of the few properties in the Historic Area not owned by the Colonial Williamsburg

Foundation.

4. Parish Church

This was the second church on this location and one of the principle reasons

contributing to the relocation of Virginia’s Capitol from Jamestown. Tour (no charge)

5. George

This is the home of , patriot, first professor of law at an

American college, and teacher of and John Marshall. This was the

headquarters of General Washington before the . Wythe lived to an

old age, but was poisoned (with other members of his family) by his nephew in one of

the few early known murders in Williamsburg.

Nov-98 3 6. The McKenzie Apothecary

This is a shop typical of those furnishing medicines and other “health” aids in the

eighteenth century. Tour (no charge)

7. The Governor’s Palace

This was the residence of seven royal governors and the first two governors of the

Commonwealth of Virginia, and Thomas Jefferson.

8. The Brush-Everhard House

This is a very early house which was enlarged and in use through the entire Colonial

period. It is typical of the most common residences in Williamsburg during the

eighteenth century.

9. Robertson’s Windmill

These were very common in Colonial times to grind corn – especially where running or

falling water was not available. Nantucket Island has over 15 windmills at one time. In

nearby Mathews County, there were tidemills.

10. The Peyton Randoph House

This was home of the long-time Speaker of the and the first

President of the Continental Congress.

11. The Courthouse of 1770

This was the law Court for Williamsburg and James City County. The stocks next to the

building were used for small crimes. Sometimes persons convicted of being “gossips”

had their ears nailed to the post.

12. Josiah Chowning’s Tavern

This is a typical tavern of the eighteenth century. It was also the favorite eating place of

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., who played a powerful role in providing for the restoration of

Colonial Williamsburg.

Nov-98 4 13. The Ludwig-Paradise House

This was the first building purchased by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation with Mr.

Rockefeller’s help. It has seen many uses, but was originally a fire house.

14. The James Anderson House

This was the home of one of the leading craftsmen in Williamsburg and one who played

a vital role in providing tools and weapons for the Continental Troops.

15. Brick Kiln and Carpenter’s Yard

These are typical areas where everyday needs were often locally provided to the

community’s citizens.

16. The

This was one of the best known Colonial Taverns where patriots, planters, and other

leaders were among its many guests.

17. The King’s Arms Tavern

This is a restored tavern which serves meals to guests today. During the Revolution,

Baron von Stuben ran up a bill of almost $300 for lodging, meals, and beverages.

18. The Palmer House

This is an original house and has in its walls “holes” where scaffolding used to construct

the house were left unfilled. This home is occupied by employees of the Colonial

Williamsburg Foundation.

19. The Capitol

This was one of colonial America’s most important buildings. Principals of self-

government, individual liberty, and leadership were developed by Virginians.

20. The Public Gaol (pronounced jail)

In this building, debtors, criminals, and pirates were imprisoned.

21. The Coke-Garrett House

This was the residence for John Coke, a goldsmith and tavern keeper. It is now used as

the official residence for t president of Colonial Williamsburg.

Nov-98 5 22. Christiana Campbell’s Tavern

This was one of ’s favorite eating places. Many of the taverns were

run by women who were usually widows. King’s Arms was run largely by Jane Vobe,

and this tavern by Christiana Campbell.

23.

This was the Williamsburg home of the Rockefellers and is still used by their

descendants to this day. It is furnished with many of their own personal choices and

maintained as Mr. and Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. knew the home. Behind the house

is the old oak tree where, in 1928, Mr. Rockefeller and Dr. Goodwin discussed the

establishment of Colonial Williamsburg.

24. The William Finnie House

This is a late Colonial building which heralded a new type of architecture. It is rumored,

but unproven, that Thomas Jefferson had a role in the design of this house.

25. The Gunsmith

This was one of the many shops which provided the everyday tools and needs of the

town’s citizens.

26. The Chiswell-Bucktrout House

This is now used as a boarding house for guests of the . It has

accommodations for ten guest groups inside.

27. The Providence Hall

This is a special guest cottage used by the Williamsburg Inn for heads of businesses

and state. President Reagan used this in 1983. The house was originally known as the

“White House” and dates from 1760 when it was built in New Kent County.

28. The Williamsburg Inn

This is the finest Inn of Colonial Williamsburg and is rated as one of the top ten in

America. In addition to this and some of the other buildings, Colonial Williamsburg has

almost 1100 rooms for guests.

Nov-98 6 29. The Lewis House

This is an original residence typical of the more ordinary residents of Williamsburg. It is

now maintained as a guest building for Williamsburg Inn. In 1983, the French President

stayed here as a guest.

30. The Lightfoot House

This is one of the finest town homes in Williamsburg and like other buildings is used as a

guest house for the Williamsburg Inn. Queen Elizabeth stayed here on a visit.

31. The Custis Kitchen

These are the buildings which served as the storehouse for the Royal Troops and Militia.

The Magazine is original and, at its busiest time, probably had up to three thousand

muskets and accompanying pistols, shot, bayonets, powder, and other equipment for a

small army.

32. Hartwell Perry’s Ordinary and Kitchen

This tavern and its kitchen are occupied by employees of Colonial Williamsburg. The

sign in front is a rebus or word puzzle. It depicts a deer, well, and several pears. “Hart”

was another name for a deer and an alcoholic beverage made from pears is called

“Perry”, so the sign stands for “Hart Well Perry”.

33. The Custis Kitchen

This area, represented only by the original kitchen, was once the home and fine

estate of Colonel John Custis. His son, Daniel Parke Custis, was the first

husband of Martha Ball. When Daniel died, Martha later married George

Washington. George Washington probably used the original house when he was

in Williamsburg. He adopted the son of Daniel Custis and Martha, and, at John

Parke (Jacky) Custis’ death, George was grief stricken.

34. The First Free Black Baptist Church

This is the site of the first free black Baptist Church in America.

Nov-98 7 35. The Public Hospital

This is a reproduction of the first hospital in America to deal with mental

disorders. Behind this building and below ground is the DeWitt Wallace

Decorative Arts Gallery which houses thousands of objects form Colonial

Williamsburg’s Collection of eighteenth century ceramics, furniture, metals,

maps, prints, and textiles.

36. The Travis House

The Travis House was moved several blocks to Duke of Gloucester Street to

become a Colonial tavern in the 1940’s and 1950’s. Later, after other taverns

were restored, it was moved back to here – its original location.

Nov-98 8 Camping Information

Colonial Virginia Council Scout Reservation Camp Chickahominy Williamsburg, Va

Write: Colonial Virginia Council, BSA 11725 Jefferson Avenue Newport News, Va 23606 Call: (757)595-3356

Newport News City Park Route 143 (located between Yorktown and Jamestown)

Write: City of Newport News Department of Parks and Recreation 2400 Washington Avenue Newport News, Va 23607 Call: (757)887-5381 (Municipal)

Gosnolds Hope Park

Write: City of Hampton Gosnolds Hope Park Little Back River Road Hampton, Va 23669 Call: (757)727-6161 (Commercial)

Jamestown Beach Campsites (near Jamestown Festival Park)

Write: P. O. Box CB Williamsburg, Va 23187 Call: (757)229-7609 (Commercial)

Williamsburg Campsite U. S. Route 60 4 ½ miles west of Williamsburg

Write: Williamsburg Campsite Rt. 60, R.F.D. #3 Box 274 Williamsburg, Va 23187 Call: (757)564-3101 (Commercial)

Other Information

Colonial National Historical Park Colonial National Historical Park Yorktown Battlefield Ranger Office Jamestown Ranger Office P.O. Box 210 P.O. Box 210 Yorktown, Virginia 23690 Yorktown, Virginia 23690

Phone: (757)898-3400 Phone: (757) 229-1282

Nov-98 9 Order Form

Please place the following order: _____ Pick-up _____ Shipped

_____Williamsburg Trail Patches @ $2.25 ea $______

Postage and Shipping $1.50 for every 10 $______

There is no Tax Total $______

Ship To:

Name: ______

Address:______

City: ______

State: ______Zip ______

Awards may be picked up at the Council Office Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at:

Colonial Virginia Council Scout Service Center 11725 Jefferson Avenue Newport News, Virginia 23606 Phone: (757)595-3356

Prices of awards are subject to change without prior notice.

Nov-98 10 QUESTIONS FOR COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG TOUR

1. Explain the relationship between James Blair and The College of William and Mary?

2. What were windmills used for in Colonial times?

3. “Gossips” were treated with what unusual punishment in old Williamsburg?

4. What was John D. Rockefeller’s role in the restoration of Williamsburg?

5. Why are there “holes” in the walls of the Palmer House?

Nov-98 6. The building called the Magazine, was used for what purpose?

7. What is special about the sign for Hartwell Perry’s Ordinary?

8. Where did George Washington usually stay when he was in Colonial Williamsburg?

9. Name one recent famous person who has stayed in guest homes in Colonial Williamsburg?

10. Name one of the two non-royal governors to reside in the Governor’s Palace?

Nov-98 12