Although I’ve visited Colonial Williamsburg many times, I’ve not gone in December to see the Christmas decorations. There’s no particular reason for that, but this year I decided that I really wanted to see them. When Ailsa over at Where’s My Backpack announced this week’s travel theme to be circles, I thought it was a perfect way to show some photos from last weekend.
I found the wreaths fascinating, which is why I’m sharing them here. They aren’t pictures I’d blow up to put over the fireplace, but they’re definitely worth looking at. If you received this in an e-mail, I suggest clicking on the title and going to the actual blog to see the gallery. When you roll your mouse over the photo, you’ll see a pop-up that describes some of the materials used.
The wreaths contain only materials local to Williamsburg, Virginia. This is why the one wreath uses dried flower centers and moss to create a pineapple shape – pineapples are not local to Virginia. It was a symbol of hospitality and status, which is why it is seen so frequently in decorations and motifs.
One of the cast members was talking about the wreaths to a bunch of us and made the observation that the south-facing side of the Duke of Gloucester Street used mostly dried materials because it faced the sun all day. The north-facing side used a lot of fresh materials. I paid much closer attention to the differences of the sides of the street after that!
Christmas decorations were simple in Colonial America. Times were hard and food was not usually used in as something frivolous as a decoration nor was there was much celebration, such as you might see today. My fellow blogger at Belle Grove Plantation wrote up a great post on Christmas in Colonial America and I invite you to look over her excellent summary. The website for Colonial Williamsburg also discusses Christmas in Williamsburg, here and here.
I do have a lot more pictures of my visit and over the next few weeks, will share more decorations with you!
how lovely! Colonial Williamsburg is on my list of places I’m going to visit. I love anything historical.
Let me know if you ever get here. I only live an hour away and could meet you in Williamsburg for lunch (or breakfast).
Great wreaths. When I attended college in Wmsburg, I loved wandering around CW admiring the Christmas decorations.
The whole Colonial Williamsburg is really great regardless of the time of the year. How great that you got to go to college there too! If you ever go back to visit, let me know – I’d love to meet you!
Nancy
Thanks, Nancy. We do visit from time to time . . . it’s been a few years. Would love to meet you there on our next visit back.
Perhaps at the King’s Arm Tavern:
http://nrhatch.wordpress.com/2012/11/02/kings-arm-tavern-peanut-soup/
When we went to visit Williamsburg for the first time after moving here, that’s where we ate! The food was good and the period costumes great, as always.
I enjoy wreaths very much and found your photos very interesting!
Thanks Jane!
Some great wreaths! Our daughter went there on a school field trip one year and told us about all the decorations. They are quite spectacular.
They really are incredible. I looked at and took pictures of each one – they were so unusual!
Thank you so much for sharing us with your reader! We really appreciate it.
No sense in me redoing what you did so wonderfully! I can write other things instead.
;)
These are wonderful! Would love to visit in December.
It’s neat whenever you go. I didn’t go into an of the buildings – would love to see how those are decorated too. Maybe next year.
Beautiful photos of a lovely place. I love williamsburg.
Thanks for the compliment! Williamsburg really is cool and it’s only an hour from my house which is even better!
What a fascination collection of wreaths and how clever of you to include them in your post. I have never seen Colonial Williamsburg at Christmas either. One of these days, must do that….. Thanks for sharing!
I’m glad you enjoyed them!
Beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome!
These are just wonderful – love the mussel shells and the little star of peanuts! What great ideas too.
Thanks for stopping by earlier, my friend – have been overwhelmed and not very communicative this month. Still trying to find my way thru the weeds and will be happy to see the end of this particular year! Here’s to a happier and calmer 2013! K
I know how it goes. I’ve had my share of struggling to keep up with everything too. Just hang in there and take it as it comes.
Thank you so much for posting these wonderful photos. The wreaths are all wondrous in their own ways. Beautiful! I Can’t wait to see more!
Judith – I’m so glad you liked them – enough that you’d like to see more. That’s a great compliment!
I really enjoy whenever you share such information and photos of the places you visit. I am not as mobile as I used to be, and your posts, and others like yours, help me to feel like I am still traveling, in a way. Thanks — that is a real gift to me.
Your second comment was very touching – thanks so much. I’m glad my travels help you enjoy traveling too.
love seeing the creativity………how interesting and beautiful……..thank you for sharing them.
Thanks Mom – I’m glad you enjoyed seeing them!
Thank you for posting these pictures. I am looking forward to more photos from your Colonial Williamsburg Christmas season visit.
I appreciate the comment and am glad to hear you’re looking forward to more (I was hoping people would like them enough to see more).
These are really interesting, and great for the theme!
Thank you!