
Williamsburg
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Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia a visit to the Blue ballroom at the Governor’s Mansion. The Governor of Virginia was an extremely important person in the 1700s. Virginia situated in the middle of the colonies and due to its size was the most influential of the colonies. The Governor needed a place to hold dinner parties and dances to impress visitors as well as attend to the King’s business. Therefore it had to be a place that would impress a visitor upon entry And project the authority of the Governor and the English crown.
Portrait of King George 2
The portraits of the King and Queen hang at the end of the entryway to the grand hall. The King pictured is George II , and his Queen was Charlotte on the opposite side of the door. There was a screen over the portraits that the guide did explain except to say for protection.
During the ball musicians would perform with their instruments. The photo below is of a clavecin, or harpsichord. A close cousin to the piano, but with a higher pitch. There is one very similar at Monticello. The other musicians would bring their own instruments it was a honor to attend the Governor’s dances.
Harpsichord at Williamsburg Ball Room.
On my trip to Williamsburg, I saw very nice examples of early finishing moldings, but none were the match of the Governor’s mansion. Little expense was spared on the mansion, and it is remarkable given the machinery in the early 1700s. Far less than 1% of the buildings in America at this time could boast of such opulence
Moldings at the Ball Room.
There was no central air conditioning units, so they used high ceilings to stop the heat and a wood burning stove for keeping the home warm in the winter dances.
High ceilings for summer and wood burner for winter.
I would recommend a visit to Williamsburg. You can walk or ride from the Welcome Center. I recommend the walk. It will take you through a Walk through Time that has years as plaques telling the story and providing a time frame. I do recommend that you buy your tickets on line, as it allows you to skip the line.
I met many people at Williamsburg and all were very nice and of good spirits. I took around 300 photos and will return my visit on this blog many times.
Thank you for reading
2 comments
As I recall it was carpeted, would be willing to bet I’m correct but I’m not 100% sure.
Re: The floor in the ballroom. IIRC that was actually painted on and not a real rug. I could be mis-remembering. Do you recall? Thank you from @apresoi4