Life is defined by belonging: our family, town, organizations, belongings, even the time into which we are born. I attended a teachers’ institute at Colonial Williamsburg a few years ago. That town preserves what belonged to another time period, so that we, of the 21st century could understand somewhat what it felt like as patriots and loyalists, all British subjects, clashed, and then hashed out new plans in the taverns, church, and legislature all situated on the mile long walk down the main street.
Our trainers immersed us in the life of the time. Four of us from Tulare County joined six others from California, a few from Pennsylvania, some from Georgia, one or two from New York, and we lived as a group for one week. We belonged together for a week.
Our guide, Bunny, embroiled us in an 18th century court case in which a Baptist minister was tried as a criminal because he preached from a Baptist pulpit, not from the one true church the Anglican Church. “The law of the land from 1624 mandated that white Virginians worship in the Anglican church (Church of England) and support its upkeep with their taxes.” ( Religion in Early Virginia.) We had to decide his fate.
One of our members, Jami Beck, volunteered to participate during the trial.
We learned how to fire cannons and muskets.
We danced, and sat around a properly set dinner table sharing the latest colonial gossip.
We visited with tavern owners who served George Washington on a regular basis.
Slaves let us enter their farm-house, feel the tobacco they harvested, smell it hanging in the barn. But in all the authenticity of belonging to that time period. There was always something that didn’t belong.
Actually there were many things. What do you think belonged, and what didn’t?
Marsha Ingrao - Always Write 
What an interesting week for you Marsha ! Did you get to be fired from a cannon ? Do tell. 😉 xox ❤
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Only in your imagination , Ralph! I’m the one in the background with the camera! 🙂
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That was quite an excellent, well planned week, it seems. Tell me, was the minister found guilty or not?
You’ll probably have to tell us what you found that didn’t belong. Wrist-watches, mobile phones?
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All of those! I think Jami made a pretty good case for her client, but in real life, I imagine he did some jail time. Eventually, the tide turned, as we know, and Baptists came into the picture without fear of reprisal. 🙂
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Disappointed not be able to access your photos, Marsha. Williamsburg certainly has some fascinating history.
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I am so sorry about the pictures! http://wp.me/p2jC53-23V If you get a chance and want to see them, I’ve added them back again. 🙂
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Thanks, I made it back here, and enjoyed the photos. 🙂
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I can’t see any photos either. My parents visited Colonial Williamsburg many years ago and they loved it. Ever since then I’ve wanted to visit. Hopefully I will get there one day.
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If you get back. I know it’s hard enough to make time to read a post even once let alone come back and see it. 😦 http://wp.me/p2jC53-23V 🙂
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I couldn’t access any of your photos. Has anyone else had this problem?
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My bad. I know what the problem is, and it’s kind of funny. I accidentally published this post first on the wrong blog. I copied and pasted, and assumed that the pictures woudl go too since they are both WP blogs. They show up fine on my screen, but I’ll fix it. 🙂 Thanks Yvonne for the heads up.
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I’ve fixed it. Again, thanks so much for alerting me! http://wp.me/p2jC53-23V
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