Williamsburg

What an interesting place, Williamsburg.  The story of its reconstruction is almost more interesting than its actual place in history, but not quite.  A very dedicated group of people in Williamsburg talked John D. Rockefeller into funding the initial rescue of some old buildings, and it has grown into an interesting, if very touristy, place.  I enjoyed the history very much, but admittedly see this as a place one would want to go once, and preferably with older children. It does give a feeling of colonial America, long before the Declaration of Independence.

 When I arrived, I first wanted to see the Governor's Mansion, since its first inhabitant was Alexander Spottswood, our (correct me if I'm wrong Kit) 11 times great grandfather.  Technically, he was the Lieutenant Governor of Virgina, but the Governor, some Lord in England, never came to the colonies, so Spottswood was the man on site.  He was recalled in about 1722, just after he'd been living there for less than a year.  Here's the house:

I had a really nice time there, and also went to Jamestown to the original site of the landing of the original colonists.  There was a bustle of activity as a group of archeologists and their summer interns were busily excavating more of the site.  I was more impressed with the intent:

It was fun to realize that when they landed, they had no idea of what they were starting, including bringing the diseases that wiped out 90% of the native population.  They sure as heck didn't envision our country as it is today (and facebook).