Dear Readers,
I am sorry for the long absence. I have a backlog of posts to write but here are some from Colonial Williamsburg, a living history museum dedicated to telling the story of the town of Williamsburg, Virginia in the 18th century.
I’ll take you on a walk through the historic area as the sun sets.
First stop is Great Hopes Plantation. Great Hopes Plantation, a recreated farm of the 1750s-1770s. The landscape, buildings, animals, and the work and lifestyles of its inhabitants are based on extensive research into small farms in three neighboring counties.
Great Hopes Plantation windmill. Great Hopes is a middling family farm. Windmills were common in early Virginia. Mills like this one were used to grind corn into cornmeal for local farms and plantations. A “Post Mill” contained machinery in a house that is mounted on a central, vertical post. The entire mill house is capable of rotating on the central post so the sails can face the wind. Windmills like this one require 15 mile-per-hour wind to operate and were often built on the high ground near rivers and the coast. (recreation 1957, moved 2010, restored 2015)
A walk past the plantation and next to the river reveals a family of American Milking Devons, a descendant of the Red Devon breed native to Devonshire, England. (I saw those at Plimoth Plantation) .This rare, heritage breed is a beautiful red color and their milk has a high butterfat content, making these cows popular in colonial times for butter and cheese.
The calf is weaning. It eats grass but is still nursing. This was a very sweet sight and a nice break from the hectic pace of modern life. I love how museums like Colonial Williamsburg and preserving these old breeds of livestock.
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