While the military and music demonstration capture attention from the visitors at Colonial Williamsburg, another important aspect that was all around us in that town but perhaps was less noticed is the authentic reenactment of daily life in an 18th century town. The most visible part was the town itself with its historic buildings. Many were ordinary people’s homes and not having any historically significant event associated with them, but in many places you could come inside and learn more about what it was like to live in that era.

Just like in our lives today, there were issues that the people in that era struggled with. There was the taxation by the British ruler that led to American Revolution and the struggle for independence. So you could go to the tavern and hear from the locals discussing this topic. There were also the social classes that existed in the society — there were slaves, house servants, freed slaves, farmers, professionals in various trades, and the upper-class society. You could see actors dressing up in the period clothes that indicated their social class. It becomes quite fascinating and educational when you hear visitors talking to these actors about the character they are portraying, and getting a history lesson on what life was like back in 18th century Williamsburg from that character’s perspective.

I did not spend enough time to explore these; I think they would make a fascinating follow-up visit to the town. And since it is meant to be a living history museum, a visitor can possibly experience different things at different time of the year as the events and programs are tailored to match the time of the year or any special occassions to commemorate.

I did visit one home that happened to be the home of a blacksmith, complete with a workshop in the back. When I went there to check out the workshop, there were a couple of actors who were demonstrating work as blacksmiths. They made nails and horseshoes. It was interesting to notice that one of the blacksmiths was a young lady — I never associate this profession as an occupation for females. I think that was where it hit me that just like life today, you have people in every level of society, and even in reenacting the history there, you there were more than just ladies at the upper-class level with their pretty gowns, but also those working in the hot and dirty blacksmith workshop and other manual labor places as well.

The photo below was taken on the street as a couple of ladies dressed up in very nice dresses talking with a little girl who also dressed up in periodic clothes herself.

The Duke of Gloucester Street (also known as the DoG Street to the locals) is the main street in Colonial Williamsburg. The street cuts across the old town and lined with many historic buildings and homes. It continued on towards the modern part of Williamsburg through a pedestrian-only street lined with shops and restaurants, and ends at the campus of the College of William and Mary.

Most of the events and activities at Colonial Williamsburg happen along the DoG Street area, and the locals and visitors alike go for shopping and dining at the western part of the street, so this street is easily the most visited area of Williamsburg. I think what is also pretty neat to think about is the fact that the street was named the Duke of Gloucester Street at the founding of the city of Williamsburg in year 1699, and through the years, you had historic figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, as well as more modern figures like Ronald Reagan, Dwight Eisenhower, Harry Truman, Winston Churchill, and many others walked on this same street as you would if you visit the town. Franklin Delano Roosevelt called it ‘the most historic avenue in all America.’

During my visit to Colonial Williamsburg, I spent most of the day along this street attending many events that happened throughout the day. In the middle of my visit, I took a break to look for a lunch place, and I passed through a weekend farmers market that was set up right between the historic district and the shopping district. It definitely had very good foot traffic especially considering it was a nice autumn morning.