People here in the good ol' USA love their theme parks...Disney, Knotts, Six Flags, Dollywood, Sea World....you get the idea, right? And while the diversions offered at these establishments are wholesome, good-natured fun... the money spent on tickets to these facilities doesn't exactly offer any kind of return that truly enriches our collective consciousness as citizens of 'these United States.' But there is one 'theme park' in Williamsburg,Virginia, that can create in each visitor's mind and heart a feeling of pride and admiration for our colonial ancestors who sacrificed their lives, fortunes, families and futures to create The United States of America.

Williamsburg, the USA's largest living museum, was created/imagined/restored as "a shrine ... that will serve to stimulate patriotism, that will develop in American citizens a deeper love for their native land as they come to understand the things that happened here, without which the foundations of the [United States of America] could not have been securely laid." (www.history.org)

A visit to Williamsburg, the colonial capital of Virginia, is a step into the USA's patriotic, revolutionary past. The sights, sounds, smells and sensations of all types are arranged to help visitors immerse themselves for a day or two or three into life in a town whose existence during the 1770s was as important to the USA's future as today's New York City is important to financial markets, or Washington D.C. is to politics, or Los Angeles is to the entertainment industry. This isn't just some cute village...this was the center of much of the philosophical, political and military foundations that created the concept of a nation independent of Britain, a new nation, founded on new ideals.

The fires of freedom were lit here.

Imagine watching craftsmen creating, from fire's heat and man's muscle, a pair of iron candlesticks or fireplace andirons in an authentic 18th Century blacksmith forge when a whisper goes through the crowd that General George Washington and his top military commanders are entering the town square on horseback. Suddenly you can hear rhythmic drum beats and the shrill but stirring sounds of flute and fife and you realize you're re-living actual history, not just watching historical crafts and picturesque village life.

A visit to Williamsburg -- imagine touring the home where the chairman of the Continental Congress (Peyton Randolph) lived, the man who was General Washington's boss, the man many assumed would be the USA's first president. The tour is presented by two authentically dressed house servants: one a caucasian maidservant, and one an African-American kitchen worker who recalls life as a slave in this 18th century upper-class Virginia household. And you realize with admiration and respect that this is no glossed over version of a 'perfect' society.

Williamsburg -- imagine sitting as a juror at the trial of a woman accused of witchcraft, hearing the accusor's allegations, hearing the accused's defense, hearing and watching the judge manage the courtroom and instruct all present regarding the laws of the day ... and voting with your fellow jurors as to the guilt or innocence of the accused.

Williamsburg -- imagine joining in with your fellow townspeople to hear General Washington discuss the impending battle of Yorktown, just a few miles down the road. Having the opportunity to pose your own question to Washington and his chief military commanders as you slip into the character of being a resident of Williamsburg in the 1770s.

A visit to Williamsburg -- touring the home of the attorney, George Wythe, who taught Thomas Jefferson his college-level studies in British Law, world history, politics and philosophy. Then walking two blocks through the charming streets of this 'living museum' of 18th century restored homes, shops, taverns to have dinner where Jefferson, Washington, Patrick Henry and other founding fathers dined while visiting Williamsburg themselves (Raleigh Tavern).

Imagine arriving at a garden spot behind Virginia's colonial governor's mansion to listen to Washington and Layfayette alert yet reassure the people of Williamsburg to the emminent battle at Yorktown. What question would you pose to Washington during this interactive colonial 'town meeting'?***

What about a witchcraft trial? Visitors can attend a re-enactment of an actual trial, and even serve as jurors deciding the woman's fate after hearing the evidence against her.

Having been to Williamsburg two times, I want to whole-heartedly recommend a visit here to any person or family who wants to step back in time and become surrounded by the USA's colonial past. Williamsburg, as the colonial capital of Virginia, was the site of much activity and the home of many prominent 'Americans' (for they were still British citizens). Jefferson studied here as a young man. Washington frequently visited the Virginia capitol.

Here's the description of Williamsburg from the official website:

Everyday, youre invited to embark on a revolutionary adventure in Colonial Williamsburgs Historic Area. Travel back in time and discover what life was like in Virginias capital city in the years surrounding the American Revolution. Throughout the 301-acre Historic Area, youll find skilled craftspeople creating saddles, garments, and cart wheels for the use of other Colonial Williamsburg tradespeople and citizens. And, for two hours of each day, youre encouraged to become an active participant in Revolutionary City, our newest, interactive program. Each time, youll discover something new about the challenging decisions and troublesome times that faced a town at the heart of Americas quest for independence. The adventure continues when you explore the gardens, trade shops, homes, and government buildings throughout the Historic Area. Around every corner, youll find new experiences that offer insights into life in the early years of our nation. http://www.colonialwilliamsburgresort.com/recreation

Williamsburg's existence today as the USA's largest living museum is due to the vision, creativity, love of history, and audaciousness of one man, Reverend Goodwin. And equally due to the vision, creativity, love of history and wealth of a second man. The first was a Williamsburg resident who realized there was actual historic treasure that had quite unwittingly remained intact but was on the verge of being 'modernized' by cars and gas stations and suburbia. It was in 1926 that Goodwin realized that the existing centuries old buildings and untouched surrounding countryside could "create a shrine that would bear witness to the faith and the devotion and the sacrifice of the nation's builders."

Goodwin reached out to a Rockefeller, Mr. John D. Rockefeller, who was persuaded and ultimately dedicated to use his wealth to buy up the lands of Williamsburg and lovingly, fervently, invest even more money for research, archeology, restoration and maintenance to bring the living museum of Williamsburg into existence. A museum that enriches all who visit with it's mission to recreate our nation's past; making our nation's history alive/vibrant/relevant to both young and old, male and female, and instilling a good solid dose of feeling 110% patriotic, proud to be a descendant of these brave colonists.

Williamsburg is in southeastern Virginia, near Virginia Beach. I encourage everyone to include it on any tour of this state. I have traveled there by car from Washington D.C. to the north, but the nicest way I arrived there was September of 2006 when I arrived in town on Amtrak via Richmond, part of an eastern seaboard tour of historic sights via Amtrak. For those who can't stand air travel's hassles and crowds...GO AMTRAK! The Williamsburg Inn picked us up for the quick 10 minute trip from the station.

The most popular time for visitors at Williamsburg is around Christmas. The whole town sparkles with traditional colonial festive elements, a true example of using natural materials, apples, nuts, pine cones, etc., to create a festive holiday atmosphere. The traditional colonial decor for the season is as charming as it is historically enlightening, and with winter's short days, the glow of candlelight everywhere adds a soft patina to the entire scene.

And to keep those patriotic sensations going full steam ahead....

Many places in Virginia will 'juice up' a visitor's patriotic and historical emotions for our beloved USA....Washington's Mount Vernon, Jefferson's Monticello, ALL the sights of Washington DC, Arlington National Cemetery, and so on an on within the boundaries of this truly historic state, whose citizens became crucial to the creation of our country.

So, even though financial times are tough right now, if you're even thinking of spending money of a family trip...Williamsburg, I hope, will have top priority as a place to visit ... fun, historical, entertaining, patriotic, activities, citizenry, costumes, 18th Century, parades, fife and drum, eating, theme restaurants .... when it gets right down to the core....Williamsburg IS a theme park after all!

*** My question to General Washington was "How many men do you have to face the British?" And as Washington began answering, Lafayette interupted and (humorously) noted "Be careful, General, we do not know that this lady is not a British spy who would use this information against our cause." The answers of Washington and Lafayette were frequently humorous, but serious about the upcoming battle.