Annika and Sophia with the Christmas tree at the Williamsburg museum. Note the treetop ornament.

Between Christmas a New Year’s we took the granddaughters to Colonial Williamsburg. We spent four days seeing as much as we could. Robin and I had been there before, but not for many years.

Sophia and Annika seemed to enjoy it, especially the various tradesmen. The girls asked questions and paid close attention. Usually we had to tell them when it was time to move on. We also visited the governors’ palace and the museum. I calculate that we saw about a third of what there was to see.

We started at the Visitors Center, where we watched the movie “The Story of a Patriot,” which is said to be the longest-running film in history (almost 60 years). Filmed in Williamsburg, it portrays a fictional planter who is elected to the House of Burgesses and interacts with various founding fathers, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry. The acting was a bit wooden and the protagonist was played by Jack Lord (who didn’t say “Book ’em, Danno” once). Still, it was fun to see members of the House of Burgesses sitting on the same benches in the Capitol where we later sat.

We took a carriage ride and went to three events: a story-teling and song session about a free black woman, a half-hour two-person play about a free black man deciding to join the Continental Army, and an evening Christmas program at the Capitol that included tall tales, music, and dancing.

We saw a demonstration of a musket being fired. You can actually learn how to fire a musket yourself, and Sophia was game to try, but it was sold out.

We ate in two of the historic taverns: the King’s Arms and Shields, both of which were very good. Robin had the peanut soup and I had a hunters’ game pie that was delicious, while the girls stuck to more modern fare. We discovered that the trick at lunchtime was to go early. Later the wait times stretched to as much as two-and-a-half hours.

Here are some photos from our adventure:

Ready for a carriage ride

Sophia and Annika meeting one of the carriage horses

Robin and Annika at the weaver’s

Sophia and Annika learn about silversmithing.

Sophia holding up an arch at the governor’s palace.

Taking a break

Annika checking out the food in the palace kitchen.