To mark the beginning of the new year we took a short trip to Colonial Williamsburg. It was just fabulous. We stayed in a wonderful hotel, the Williamsburg Inn. The luxury hotel is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It was originally built in 1937 by John D Rockefeller as part of an effort to enhance staying in Williamsburg. 

Among other things we visited a church and we saw a mock trial in the county courthouse. The justice system those days lacked the type of due process we take for granted nowadays. The stockade and the whipping post were a reminder of the consequences of getting out of line. It also didn’t help if you were Catholic, non-white, female or not a significant property owner. But given the time frame, there was probably more due process than most places in the world. 

We also went to the Art Museum which is actually two museums housed in the same building. There is a large collection of American folk art in the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum. The collection includes paintings, quilts, sculpture and other works by artists of the era who were essentially self-taught.  The DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, housed in the same building, features high-quality decorative pieces from American and British artists. The pieces, which range from elegant furniture to ceramics and textiles,  showcase both the tastes of the era and link Williamsburg to a broader view of the era.

We had some fabulous meals while we were there. We had a delicious dinner at The Blue Talon restaurant. It is set-up like a French Bistro, and is casually elegant. We also had dinner at The Terrace & Goodwin Rooms in the Williamsburg Inn. The restaurant combined Southern hospitality with classic décor, impeccable service and very good food. And of course we visited the elegantly furnished bar. 

All in all it was a fine trip. 

JFB