Earlier this fall, my tween daughter and I visited Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, Virginia’s Historic Triangle. It wasn’t just a simple trip but an incredible journey back in time, taking us back to the 1600s and 1700s. And instead of the typical travel blog, I thought it would be more fun to let my daughter tell the story—from her perspective! So, get ready for a one-of-a-kind adventure through her eyes as she shares her time-traveling diary entries with a little help from yours truly.
Dear Diary,
It’s me, Harmony, and I wanted to tell you something really cool. I time-traveled! Not the kind you see in movies with fancy machines or magic potions. No, I traveled back in time to the 17th and 18th centuries, right here in Virginia, just a two-hour car ride from home. My mom and I went on a trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown, also known as Virginia’s Historic Triangle. It felt like I stepped straight into a history textbook. But guess what? It was way more fun than any textbook I learned at school. Let me tell you all about it!
Day 1: Colonial Williamsburg – Living in the 18th Century
Dear Diary,
We started our adventure with a walking tour of Colonial Williamsburg, which was the capital of the Virginia Colony from 1699 to 1779. Our tour guide, Trish Thomas of Williamsburg Walking Tours, was awesome and very knowledgeable. Over the next hour and a half, she showed us around and shared so many fascinating stories about the town’s history and the unique architecture of the houses. As we walked along the cobblestone streets, we saw people dressed in 18th-century clothes speaking in accents, horses pulling carriages around, a colonial soldier firing his musket, the largest oxen (or were they bulls?) I’ve never seen a chariot, more soldiers firing cannons, and a marching band. It was like I was in the middle of a movie set!
Diary, do you want to hear a fun fact? Trish explained that the expression "arrived in good spirits" refers to storing a dead body in a barrel of whiskey to preserve it during the voyage back to England for burial. Mom thought this was very funny. And the phrase "a stiff drink" originated from drinking whiskey from a barrel containing a dead corpse. Yikes, another reason to never ever drink alcohol!
We ended our day with dinner at King’s Arms Tavern, a replica of a public house from 1772. The servers wore colonial outfits with aprons and bonnets, and the room glowed with the warm light of candles on each table. To top it off, we were serenaded by a musician who sang old colonial songs. All the dishes were inspired by 18th-century recipes. I bravely tried “peanut soup,” a dish that was popular in colonial times. I didn't care too much about it, but my mom did. She said she liked how creamy and nutty it tasted. I had short ribs, and they were so tasty and melting in my mouth. Yum! Colonial food wasn’t as plain as I thought it would be.
By the time we left, it was like I’d lived an entire day in Colonial times, and I couldn't wait to see what happened next!
Day 2: Jamestown – Where It All Began
Dear Diary,
Today, we went even further back in time, to 1607, to be exact, when the first English settlers came to America.
After breakfast, we went to Jamestown Settlement, a one-of-a-kind museum with interactive exhibits and life-size replicas. When we first arrived, we visited the indoor galleries, which depicted the lives and cultures of Powhatan Indians, English settlers, and West Central Africans in 17th-century Virginia. I even learned the true story about Pocahontas!
We then went outdoors down to the pier. There, I saw two giant ships that looked like pirate ships! They were called the Godspeed and Discovery, and they were replicas of the ships that brought the first settlers here. A third one, the Susan Constant, was not on display. I climbed aboard the Godspeed and was shocked at how small the ship actually was. I couldn't believe it was capable of making a 5-month voyage across the Atlantic with over 50 men onboard. While aboard, I also learned about the different instruments sailors used back then to navigate the vast, open sea.
Then, we went to James Fort, a re-created fort where the settlers built their homes and tried to survive. The fort was small, filled with costumed interpreters who showed us how the settlers lived their daily lives. Outside the fort, we saw a soldier demonstrating how to fire a musket. Later on, I had the chance to try on part of the uniform. I couldn't believe how heavy it was. The cask was weighing so heavily on my head. And to think soldiers had to wear these and go to battle!
Next, we visited Paspahegh Town, a replica of a Powhatan village. Before the English settlers arrived, the Powhatan tribe ruled over much of the region. It was interesting to see what life was like for them then. They lived in reed-covered houses and used animal hides for clothing. An interpreter showed me how they made their tools using carved stones, wood, and a whole lot of patience. They were so resourceful, creating everything they needed from the natural world around them.
After visiting the museum, we went back in our car and then drove to the Jamestown Glasshouse nearby. There, I watched artisans make beautiful glass pieces over a furnace. The re-created furnace glowed bright orange and was heated to over 1000 degrees by gas. The glassblowers used the same methods and tools that were used more than 400 years ago.
Day 3: Yorktown – Where Freedom Was Won
Dear Diary,
Today, we traveled to Yorktown, where one of the biggest battles of the American Revolution took place.
We went to the Yorktown Battlefield Visitor Center. We first watched a short movie called “The Siege of Yorktown.” The film showed the Battle of the Capes, how Alexander Hamilton led the attack on British forces, and the British surrender. Interestingly enough, it turns out that American forces were not involved at all during the blockade. It was all French! After the movie, we explored the exhibits filled with artifacts from the war: muskets, uniforms, and even George Washington’s field tents. I also got my Junior Ranger badge from the National Park Service after completing an activity book.
We then got back in our car and began a self-guided tour of the Yorktown Battlefield. Directions were marked on the road with numbered signs that we had to follow. It was like a scavenger hunt! The tour took us through battlefields and other important places like the Moore House. This is where American and British officers gathered to discuss the terms of the British surrender. At each stop, there were plaques with a brief description of the location. Eventually, as darkness started to fall, we arrived at Surrender Field, where British General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington.
Final Thoughts On My Journey Through Time
As I sit here writing this down, I can still picture it all: the bustling streets of Williamsburg, the Godspeed ship at Jamestown, and the battlefields of Yorktown. I learned so much about American history in those three days: how life back then was not as glamorous as it appears in movies. On the contrary, life was hard with none of the modern amenities we are accustomed to, like electricity, indoor plumbing, or comfy clothes. But it was a time full of bravery, creativity, and invention.
Diary, why can’t history be taught like this instead of using boring old textbooks? I believe everyone should visit and experience these places the same way I did.
Love,
Harmony
