Over the last few weeks, a few ladies have contacted me for information to help them plan their time at Colonial Williamsburg during the homeschool weeks. Each of these ladies had been to CW years ago, but a lot has changed and they knew that I go quite a bit. Incidentally, their primary questions revolved around the same program, so I thought others might benefit from some of the information I shared.

      The one lady, wanting to maximize her family's time in the few days they'd be at Colonial Williamsburg, asked which programs did I think she should focus on attending. Without skipping a beat I said, "Revolutionary City".  Revolutionary City is an interactive outdoor theater program that encapsulates everything that Colonial Williamsburg represents.  For everyone, including homeschoolers, this is incredible. It is more than a synopsis of the driving force behind the Revolutionary War. It is an opportunity to see first hand the essence of what the Revolutionary War was fought for. It explores the roots of our country's history and the beginnings of our representative government. 

     Then I was asked if all of this takes place indoors. Would there be enough room in the theater for the entire family to view this. Actually Revolutionary City is outdoor theater!  The setting is on the streets of 18th century Williamsburg, when it was the seat of Virginia government. How often do we get to see a play in it's actual historic setting with a three dimensional stage? The restored colonial shops, houses, taverns, capitol and courthouse form the backdrop for the dramatic scenes. Revolutionary City is a history book come to life. Everything that the students have read and studied, are now interactive.  The students, parents and all guests can now get emotionally caught up as they see events, hopes, dreams and disappointments of the people of the 18th century unfold before their eyes.  Horsemen gallop up the Duke of Gloucester Street shouting news of the recent Battle of Lexington and Concord!  The royal governor,  Lord Dunmore, angrily arrives at the capitol in his carriage drawn by horses. During the announcement that Virginia is declaring its independence from England, cannons near the guests are fired while everyone shouts "Huzzah!"  Benedict Arnold arrives pompously on his horse and arrogantly declares the benefits of his takeover of the city, as the American flag is taken down from the capitol behind him, and the British flag is raised.    

     Another friend asked what year Colonial Williamsburg would be in when they arrived. I knew what she meant, because I had experienced that on previous visits before Revolutionary City began a few years ago. In 2004 we were there for a week and the time frame was the month that we were there, August, in one certain year, I think 1775.  Now that Revolutionary City is a daily event throughout the year (except winter), the time changes each day. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday is the day 1 program, which reenacts events from 1774-1776.  If RC is in the afternoon, as it is during the school year, and you meet Patrick Henry in the morning, he'll probably mention that there is consternation in the town and Lord Dunmore will be arriving at the capitol in the morning.  We might want to be there to hear what he says. (That is the first scene of RC on those days.)  Wed, Fri and Sun is the day 2 program, which reenacts events from 1776-1781.  If you meet townspeople in the morning, they might mention that the Declaration of Independence is going to be read at the capitol that afternoon and we might want to attend the public reading of it. That is the first scene of RC of those days.  On Mondays, there are vignettes of various people from the Revolution throughout the entire time frame.  Then there are additional scenes scattered across the historic area throughout each day.

     My friend also asked how they would be able to find the scenes. At the beginning of each RC, as the "staging" area is entered, broadsides (flyers) are distributed with the events, locations and time frame, so everyone can keep track.  Also one can't get lost, just follow the crowds. The interpreters often make transition speeches with announcements of where to go next. For example, "I hear there is a secret meeting in the garden.  Let's go down and listen!" (That's not actually a line. I don't have the script; nor do I have any of this memorized! But the transitions are done in character!)    

         The part that makes RC shine is that it is interactive!  It's fascinating to watch an excellent play; yet, it's beyond incredible to be caught up in unfolding drama! The guests are encouraged to engage with the characters, asking their opinions of events, and subsequently are free to express their own opinions.  Sometimes while walking down the Duke of Gloucester to go to the next scene, Patrick Henry himself has fallen in step next to me and another delegate has joined him.  They discuss the pressing events requiring Lord Dunmore's angry arrival.  I could jump into their discussion with my own opinions, or ask them questions about their discussions.  However, I am usually so in awe, caught in the moment from a page of history, that I can't think of anything to say. Other times one of the characters will see me and draw me out. That is really the best way to get me to talk.  One time a slave came to me before RC, while I was sitting on a doorstep, quite worried and asking if I heard that Lord Dunmore would be arriving. Another time, before the tar and feathering scene, I've been hurriedly asked if I had seen Mr. Hardcastle. Before the beginning of RC on various trips to CW, the kids and I might eat lunch or get a snack or hot cocoa from Raleigh Tavern Bakery and sit under the trees, only to be approached by one of the townspeople and asked where we are visiting from and caught up on the events of the day. The other day, while walking to the capitol to hear the reading of the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Mason greeted me and said he remembered my family. I started talking to him about the Virginia Declaration of Rights which he had written.  My husband and son have earnestly attempted to talk Mrs. Randolph into becoming a patriot and remaining in Virginia. My husband told Mrs. Vobe that I make Peanut Soup and she suggested that we trade receipts.  While I was talking to her, she saw someone coming down the street, from whom she needed to collect money owed her. She excused herself so that she could take care of business. Then I realized that was the next scene, and I was part of it!  Each experience with Revolutionary City allows me to consider the story from different viewpoints, whether I stood next to a slave, a tory, or a patriot.   Where else can we be immersed in the history of the formation of our country?