The LamplighterYour Colonial Crossings Newsletter Upcoming Events for The Historic Triangle Colonial Williamsburg’s “The Revolutionary City” 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. daily Virginia Symphony Salon Series presents The Grand Tour: Music from Germany and Russia. Historic Yorktown Freight Shed, Yorktown. Thursday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. Information at www.virginiasymphony.org “The World of 1607” Exhibition Jamestown Settlement 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. daily through April 9, 2008 Busch Gardens Williamsburg Season Opening Date March 21, 2008 Colonial Williamsburg hosts a wide variety ofprograms featuring historic re-enactors, plays, films and c oncerts. Call 1-800-HISTORY and check the Daily Schedule upon arrival. Late Winter 2008 __________________________ Land’or International Executive Officers: John L. Holt III, CEO Ronald T. Holt, COO Edmund P. Hannum III, CFO Karen Cross, Sr. Vice-Pres. Norma Dill, Sr. Vice-Pres. Winston Williamson , CEO (Nassau) David Shively, CEO (Williamsburg) Tim Sirles, Sr. Vice-Pres. Linda Ward, Vice-Pres. Lori Crume, Vice-Pres. Jim Moncrieff, Vice-Pres. Elaine Dowling, Vice-Pres. Judy Simonson, Vice-Pres. John Ruch, Publications Director Ginny Eyler, Concierge Director Dear Colonial Crossings Guests, Winter is passing, and the time of bare black trees against an orange sky will soon give way to spring’s inevitable return. While many favorite Historic Triangle attractions are priming for a new season (such as Busch Gardens Williamsburg’s March 21st opening), plenty of shopping opportunities and cultural and historic activities are currently available for our guests. This is a great time to travel a few miles west of Williamsburg along Virginia Scenic Byway Route 5 and visit an outstanding series of National Register plantation homes that were built between the seventeenth and nineteenth centuries. Some of Colonial Virginia’s m ost influential families lived in these grand res idences, wit h names like Harrison, Ca rter and Byrd. They offer a fascinating glimpse into Colonial life and are well worth the short drive along the histori c James River. The oldest of the plantation s is Shirley, located the furthes t west of Will iamsburg. Founded in 1613, only six y ears after the settlement at Jamestown, Shirley is still owned, lived in and operated as a working farm by the original family. The plantation has survived Indian uprisings, the Revolutionary War and the Civil War, when it was spared because the Carter family treated wounded Union soldiers after the Battl e of Malvern Hill. The present “Great House” was begun in 1723 as a wedding present for Elizabeth Hill and John Car ter. Today, Shirley Plantation is the most intact 18th century estate in Virginia and features an incredible and unique fly ing staircase. The guided tour showcases or iginal family furni shings, silver and portraits; a major archaeological project onsite is also revealing much of the plantation’s storied past. Just a few miles east lies Berkeley, the oldest three story brick house in Virginia. This 1726 Georgian mansi on is one of the most h istoric homes in America and can boast of significant “firsts”. The first official Thanksgiving took place here in 1619 (well before that other celebration up north) and the song “Taps” was compos ed here in 1862. Traitor Benedict Arnold raided the plantation during the Revolu tionary War and burned the furnitu re; Abraham Lincoln reviewed 140,000 troops on the grounds during the Civil War. Declaration of Independence signer Benjamin Harrison was born here, as was ninth Preside nt William Henry Harrison . Berkeley’s hospitality was enjoyed by the first ten U.S. Presidents and today’s visitors can enjoy the same panoramic views of the James River and beautiful period antiques. Other plantations dot the area, including Westover Plantation which was built by Richmond founder William Byrd II and today gives tours by appointment. North Bend Plantation is closest to Williamsburg and also offers tours by appointment. This 1819 Greek R evival hom e suffe red the quart ering ofUnion General Philip Sheridan’s troops during the Civil War. After a relaxing day of touring , you might want to visit one of the taverns along Duke of Gloucester Stre et and recount y our day’s ex periences. The season is always right to enjoy the treasures of the Historic Triangle! ********************************** Please turn the page for a listing of more fun, family-oriented area activities.
