We arrived in Williamsburg just before 1pm, got some information, ate a little and started exploring. The first thing we had to do is orient our mind to the fact that we were supposed to be in the year 1780 or so and not 2016. There were many people dressed in period costumes and they spoke as if they were living then. There were a large number of actual everyday 1780 activities going on. We visited a blacksmith stable where they were actually heating metal and making things, a shop where books were be bound, weaving was going on, and horse drawn carriages were traveling the streets.
A favorite was a foundry (a workshop for casting metal) . We were able to see spoons being made of pewter. After they are "cast" the rough edges have to be sanded, the grooves all have to be cleaned and then they are polished. It was great to watch. We talked with a man that was hand making pewter candlesticks to be sold in one of the shops down the street.
We spent 2 1/2 hours and didn't see a third of the historic town. But because of the time change it is getting dark earlier and we needed to find our room.
Nice day. In the low 60's with a cool breeze.
The making of a pewter spoon
