Williamsburg
Making History Beautiful: I have never wanted to make history. Making history is messy. And I like my world neat.
Making history is about struggle, triumph, overcoming great adversity. In short, history is messy because of the mud, the blood, and the gore. And I'm not talking simply about the physical. It is intellectually messy. Those who make history via intellectual achievement are often not balanced people. Often their achievement requires a focus and dedication that leads to madness.
I like my history safe, sane and beautiful.
In November 2006, we visited Colonial Williamsburg. It is one of the oldest new-world settlements in North America. The company "Colonial Williamsburg" is working to make this part of American history beautiful. And they are succeeding. Working with original and restored buildings, they are creating a Williamsburg better than any real Williamsburg at any single point in time, yet strangely authentic.
Let me explain. In your town, there are new buildings that are perfect, old buildings needing major repair or replacement, and everything in between. Imagine a time, say 300 years from now, when every building was brought up to "like new" condition. Your restored town would be authentic because every building would be authentic. But it would be better than any real time in your town's history because everything would be like new. Not a mix of the old, the young and the in between.
Now you've got the idea of Colonial Williamsburg.
Our visit over the Thanksgiving Holiday was punctuated by beautiful, clear, crisp, fall weather. By day, it showed off this historic site wonderfully. And by night, it leant a sense of mystery and ghostliness that was just plain fun! If you have not been, and get the chance, a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is highly recommended.
Read MoreMaking history is about struggle, triumph, overcoming great adversity. In short, history is messy because of the mud, the blood, and the gore. And I'm not talking simply about the physical. It is intellectually messy. Those who make history via intellectual achievement are often not balanced people. Often their achievement requires a focus and dedication that leads to madness.
I like my history safe, sane and beautiful.
In November 2006, we visited Colonial Williamsburg. It is one of the oldest new-world settlements in North America. The company "Colonial Williamsburg" is working to make this part of American history beautiful. And they are succeeding. Working with original and restored buildings, they are creating a Williamsburg better than any real Williamsburg at any single point in time, yet strangely authentic.
Let me explain. In your town, there are new buildings that are perfect, old buildings needing major repair or replacement, and everything in between. Imagine a time, say 300 years from now, when every building was brought up to "like new" condition. Your restored town would be authentic because every building would be authentic. But it would be better than any real time in your town's history because everything would be like new. Not a mix of the old, the young and the in between.
Now you've got the idea of Colonial Williamsburg.
Our visit over the Thanksgiving Holiday was punctuated by beautiful, clear, crisp, fall weather. By day, it showed off this historic site wonderfully. And by night, it leant a sense of mystery and ghostliness that was just plain fun! If you have not been, and get the chance, a visit to Colonial Williamsburg is highly recommended.
