Colonial Williamsburg Observation Report

On this site, I chose to focus on the aspect of living in Williamsburg, Virginia, in the 18th century. I wanted an in depth look on more than just the people. I sought to learn what people living in the colony experienced day to day. The topics I have chosen to focus on are animals, food, Christmas, and manners. I truly respect this establishment’s authenticity, especially in their rare animal breeds. Colonial Williamsburg has its very own program to preserve the genetics of its various animals on site. It is only natural for animals to change over four centuries, so this is quite a feat. These creatures aren’t for show, and serve primary functions in their environment as they would at a real farm. One of the more interesting breeds is the …show more content…
Cooking and gathering for a meal was just as important then as it is today. Having a grand dinner with guests was a great way to exchange information and catch up on goings on. Taverns were also a popular spot to gather, eat, and drink, for lower-class citizens. As expected, the poor had little kitchenware, cooked for themselves, and ate simple foods such as porridge or soup. The middle-class were only slightly better off, relying on slaves or cooking for themselves. Meanwhile, the upper-class had trained slave cooks who served much higher quality food than the lower classes. However, the richest and most privileged got to dine at the governor’s palace. Being served a meal at the governor’s was a strong symbol of a citizen’s social class. Rather than slaves, professional chefs of European descent prepared the meals. These kitchens were well stocked and the cooking was French inspired. The food may be different compared to modern day, but the privileges of each social class are the same. In Colonial Williamsburg, the Historic Foodways Department strives to prepare and research these meals at their own governor’s palace so visitors can get a taste of real old fashion cooking. Those who would prefer to prepare it themselves can look forward to an in-progress cookbook of authentic colonial …show more content…
Though there are differences in how Christmas was celebrated then compared to now, the spirit of the holiday remains the same. Colonists treated the holidays in America the same as they did in England. Not all groups celebrated however, Purists and some Christians condemned the holiday instead. The differences between the 18th and 21st century were not very extreme. For example, in the 18th century, celebrating Christmas was mainly an adult affair. In modern times, much of the joy of Christmas comes from children receiving gifts with little focus on the adults. This is not to say that children did not receive gifts, because they most certainly did. Rather than video games and toys, they received cash, literature, and candy. Gifts were also given to servants and slaves, which I found surprising. Their décor was primarily the same as it is now. Evergreen garlands, bright red berries, and candles were more popular than Christmas trees. Having been to events like Dickens on The Strand in the past, it was nice to get another taste of the holiday in a new

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