Saturday, at long last, we drove down to Colonial Williamsburg to spend the day. Everyone had decided the key event of the day should be to take the Bits and Bridles Tour, which would take us behind the scenes at the horse stables. Alas, they were booked. In fact they are usually booked a couple of days ahead of time. I'm not sure how we're going to be able to take advantage of this tour, but we'll keep trying. Not to worry though, we found other great things to do!
April is religion month. Special programs on this topic are available throughout the week. Behind the palace garden, we met Thomas Jefferson as he shared his efforts to bring freedom of religion to Virginia.
Although Jefferson is known as a Deist, it is little known how he tried to open the door to freedom to Jews, Baptists, and others who were often persecuted by the Church of England for not strictly adhering to their tenets. I could relate to his talk on many levels. He talked about the Germans who came over...I am descended from Germans on both sides of my family. He talked about French Hugeunots...I am descended from Hugeunots who fled France after the St. Bartholomew's Day Massacre. Basically Jefferson told us about the diversity of peoples who came to America. Yet all those groups shared a common ingredient...the need to worship freely. After his speech, the audience got to ask questions. As usual, it was fun to see his reactions to some 21st century ideas! Afterwards he stepped down from the platform to meet the guests and allow for photos. My husband stepped up to meet him, then he motioned us over and introduced us. Wow! I got to shake Thomas Jefferson's hand! I would be too shy to walk up to him on my own. After he shook the kids' hands, my husband asked him a question about government and school. Mr. Jefferson gave a wonderfully lengthy answer. Within that answer, he tossed in the idea of homeschooling, without using that word. Staying in 18th century character, he detailed a list of a busy mother's day, running a household. How could she possibly have time left in the day to teach her children? Then he looked right at me and said that for a mother to teach her children at home, she'd have to be incredibly knowledgeable. (Women in the 18th century had very little education.) I was just smiling real big on the outside and laughing hard on the inside and about to bust! Dare I tell him that I homeschool my kids? Afterwards I asked my husband, "Before you called us over, did you tell him we were homeschoolers?" He said yes, and that he had told him that we do the Colonial Williamsburg Electronic Field Trips too. My husband was disappointed he couldn't get Thomas Jefferson out of character. However I thought it was great! I'm too shy to walk up to him myself, but it was an incredible experience to get to meet him. The actor does an incredible job. He not only looks like Thomas Jefferson, but he is reknown for the thoroughness of his research and study of primary source documents in application to his interpretation of Mr. Jefferson.
Later we went to see Patrick Henry. We hadn't seen Thomas Jefferson or Patrick Henry since 2004, so I was delighted to have this double treat! I had forgotten how funny Patrick Henry is. Best known for his fiery rhetoric, he is also known for being opinionated. When engaged in business, he'd be so focused, he could be rude and turn people off. But when business was over, he could be the most fun of anyone. Mr. Henry told us all about the Tea Act, the protest in Boston and the subsequent closing of Boston Harbor. Although some details were similar, it was a different speech than what we heard in 2004. Now I don't remember exactly how he put it, but I think it was when he introduced the Q&A session, he said something to the effect that women didn't have the capacity for holding much knowledge. There was that 18th century prevailing thought again. I laughed hard when I heard this. After all, I know better! ;)
My son had a question for Patrick Henry: Was there any truth to the story that he once showed up late to a court case, argued the case against the defendent, then suddenly realized the defendant was his client so he saved himself by saying, "And that's what the opposition would say!" Then he defended his client and won the case! Patrick Henry sheepishly proceeded to fill in the gaps to the story and had the audience laughing throughout, between facial expressions and quick whit. He assured us that he was actually an excellent lawyer, could win any case, and if we ever needed legal advice, he would be at our service. Then he "thanked" my son for bringing up "that" memory. =)
When we met Patrick Henry in 2004, we learned that he was homeschooled. His father and uncle trained him with a classical education. Patrick Henry read law to himself for only six weeks, before he passed his attorney exam. I was so impressed with Patrick Henry on that trip, that I started seeking out classical curriculum to replace our current curriculum. Two years later I found exactly the perfect fit. The kids are thinking more deeply and richly now...my thanks to Mr. Henry for inspiring us! Incidentally, my son wants to be a lawyer when he grows up, so he is watching Patrick Henry to learn all that he can! ;)
We saw a little bit of the DeWitt Wallace Museum, had lunch, then walked to the nursery. My son had fun playing with 18th century gadgets called "thumb pots". Then we walked around to the gardens, ablaze with spring color.
We ended the day with Revolutionary City. I met a lady this morning who got excited when I mentioned that we had gone to Colonial Williamsburg the day before. She loves CW as much as I do! She was saying that we had to find jobs down there and wear those great costumes! She told me that she hadn't been down in years. I asked if she knew about Revolutionary City. She didn't, so I told her all about it and she got even more excited! See, even the governor in the carriage can't wait to arrive!
Since I used to do costumes for the children's choir at church, and I do costumes now for our unit celebrations, I am always paying attention to them. The actors play more than one part and I've been impressed with how the costume changes are "secretly" handled. It is a very clever and efficient way to handle so many costume changes. In fact, last summer when I first went to Revolutionary City, I thought there were more actors. There are actually less actors who all double or triple up on various parts for all the required scenes. I've definitely taken note for future applications!
When we went to see the "Liberty to Slaves" scene behind the coffeehouse, my husband stayed behind to talk to one of the actors. My son thought it was awful that Dad didn't come with us to see the scene, but I told him he was having fun talking to the actors. Later my husband told me that this actor did talk 21st century with him, as well as historically, and that they had discussed our homeschooling. I tentatively asked my husband how the actor reacted. After all, Lafayette was flabbergasted that I taught my son about the Hundred Years War, Thomas Jefferson basically said that homeschooling was impossible, albeit from an 18th century viewpoint. Honestly, I thought their reactions were fun and made terrific memories. But right now I am nervous about 21st century opinion. In order to comply with Virginia law, I have to file paperwork with the school district on a yearly basis. I was spoiled in Texas, where I was free to homeschool without filing paperwork. Furthermore, I have a bachelors degree in education, a teaching certificate and I did teach in the public school system for 6 years. I have homeschooled for ten years, we use a rigorous curriculum, and my kids are learning lots! It feels weird to suddenly have to report. My husband said this actor was supportive of our homeschooling and was surprised that I had to report to the district. The actor thought we should be free to teach and be left alone. Hey, I like this guy! I'm adding him to my "Colonial Williamsburg Favorites List!" Huzzah! |
