Williamsburg Articles

It may be the most American of celebrations, but the Fourth of July is not welcomed the same way by everyone. Sure, the mention of Independence Day conjures up images of smoking grills, flag waving kids, and stars and stripes, but the ways of celebrating the holiday are as diverse as the people who live from sea to shining sea.

Want to take a trip in a time machine? At these vacations spots you won't have to step into Doc's DeLorean for a glimpse at how folks vacationed and lived throughout the centuries. Enjoy a weekend on a Victorian island where you'll travel by horse and buggy or head to a Turkish city with hotels housed in caves. Or spend the night in an original miner's cabin or a tent on a Civil War battlefield. So put the smartphone away and take a trip back in time.

Colonial Williamsburg stands to fulfill any photographer's need for unique subject material during any season of the year. The historic buildings, colorfully costumed interpreters and working craftsmen provide plenty of options. Be sure to rise early and capture photo opportunities Williamsburg offers on Duke of Gloucester Street before it gets crowded. A wide angle and zoom lens will prove useful. If you're lucky enough to attend the December Grand Illumination, bring a tripod and use a slow shutter speed to film the fireworks display.

Beyond the historic area other regional suggestions include Busch Gardens, Jamestown and Yorktown. Choose from the offerings below for the Williamsburg's best photo ops.

The entire town of Colonial Williamsburg is the quintessential living history museum. The site includes 301 acres with 88 original buildings, 500 reconstructed houses, shops, public buildings, working craftsmen and costumed interpreters. The popular tourist area, close to Richmond and Norfolk, is known as the Historic Triangle of Virginia, which also includes Jamestown and Yorktown. Take the following true-false quiz and see if you are one of the Williamsburg mythbusters.

Williamsburg slang is based on the everyday vocabulary of the eighteenth century, which presents a challenge for the costumed interpreters of this colonial haven. They are extensively trained through numerous classes. One of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundations lessons includes the handout, "Eight Easy Ways To Make Your Speech Sound More Eighteenth Century." It recommends the following: "interpreters say, 'tis' and 'twill' in place of 'it's' and 'it'll.'" The guide goes on to suggest "'sir' and 'madam' in direct address, in order to provide an atmosphere of proper formality, even in everyday conversation." The interpreters must also become familiar with the slang terms and phrases of Colonial Williamsburg in the 1700s. Below are some examples of local lingo to help you better understand the more obscure words and references used here.