After staying up past midnight, the night before, it was nice to sleep in this morning. Uncle Jim and Aaron couldn’t say enough about how much they enjoyed the American Revolution Museum in Yorktown, so we decided we better not miss the opportunity to visit there ourselves. We’re so glad we did. The price of admission is $15 per adult for a day pass. Totally worth it!
We began our venture with the movie “Liberty Fever” which draws visitors into the world of Revolutionary America, setting the stage for indoor gallery and outdoor living-history experiences. After the movie, we worked our way through various indoor exhibits that showcase and teach about key people such as William Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Benedict Arnold (fascinating story), George Washington and Frenchman Lafayette (AMAZING young man), to name a few. We saw and heard stories, taken from journals and personal accounts, of men and women who were present. Artillery used during the war is a main feature of the exhibit and we had an opportunity to feel the weight of American (heavy), French (longer and lighter), and British (heavy) swords.
At the end of the indoor exhibits another movie, shown in a panoramic theatre, gave a surreal experience of actually being on the battlefield. The seat rumbled, the lights flashed, and smoke filled the room. We agreed we could see it multiple times.
We headed outside to watch an artillery demonstration featuring muskets and cannons used. Staff, dressed in period clothing, gave a detailed explanation of how a musket was loaded and used. How the lines were formed and what strategy they followed. We were able to hold the musket and feel its weight. Next up, the cannons. Audience volunteers went through the process of being assigned a job and demonstrated the process of loading the cannon. This was followed by trained staff demonstrating the same process and actual firing of the cannon. A fraction of the explosive was used resulting in a very loud explosion. When you realize how LOUD one cannon full firing must have it been it boggles the mind. So many cannons, so much mayhem, communication between men and leaders, the adrenaline coursing through the men and women. Yes, women. Women who made sure the men were getting food even while cannons fired overhead. We were told of one woman whose husband loaded cannon ammunition, died, and she courageously took his place. These acts of bravery occurred regularly. It was pointed out that this was not a war where the primary goal was to kill men, but a strategic war to gain landholdings. In battle, the primary objective was to scare your opponent, not shed blood.
We walked through the village into the home of a typical family. One average-sized room where the family came together, played games, were educated, etc. One small room off to the side was where parents slept, with newborns, who were nursed until the age of two and then joined siblings and grandparents in the loft to sleep. No one ever had their own bed; no one ever had their own room, and only half the children would survive to adulthood. If children didn’t complete their chores they didn’t eat as feeding a slothful child was considered feeding a sin and letting in the devil. The family had a kitchen separate from the house, a garden, outhouse, chickens, maybe a few other farm animals, laundry area, and if they grew tobacco, a drying shed.
We walked around a military encampment with demonstrations and lectures on life in the battlefield. The medical tent demonstrations and detailed scenarios drew grimaces, groans, and sounds of repulsion from the audience. Thinking about it, even now, sends shivers down the spine. The laundry area detailed how often one should clean various clothing articles. Soap was scarce. As we soaked in the humid temperatures of the day we don’t know how they did it. We couldn’t imagine the temperatures at the height of summer and conversely the depths of winter. Tents were small and without seams. The war was long. It was a sobering visit and well worth our time.
After the museum, we did a couple loads of laundry and then we all headed to Food for Thought, a great comfort food restaurant only found in Williamsburg. I had Pistachio Crusted Chicken over Garlic Mashed Potatoes. Alecia had Panko Breaded Flounder with Sweet Potato Fries and Steamed Broccoli. Her fries came with a Brown Sugar Butter dipping sauce that was absolutely delicious.
Back at the condo we talked, and talked, and talked until about 1:30 am and then we rested. Haha!
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