Carden Memorial School American History Tour 2015: April 2015

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Day 3 Summary

There are some very significant numbers that reflect some of our journey today:

17,904 = number of steps taken by this blogger
7.64 = number of miles that translates into
100 = percent chance of rain throughout the day
0 = impact the rain had on our fun and adventure
18 = number of Scottish tartan neckties purchased by Carden students at the Scotland Shop
13 = number of times unusually chatty boys had to be called to order by Mrs. Lund during our evening group meeting
0 = number of times the girls had to be asked to calm down during the same meeting. Huh? Seems like an odd role reversal, doesn't it?
50 = pounds of cheese and candy purchased and consumed via the phenomenal cheese and candy stores in Williamsburg

What a day today. As usual, we got going early and I have to say that these kids are doing a great job getting up and ready quite early and without complaint. Our itinerary began with a stop at The College of William and Mary, the second oldest college in the nation behind Harvard, chartered on February 8, 1693, by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. We explored several beautiful rooms in the Sir Christopher Wren building and learned from Mrs. Lund and Mrs. Horne about the significance of the College and the education it provided to some of our founding fathers, including three U.S. presidents—Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler.

Early morning gathering outside The Wren Building on William & Mary campus

Another shot of The Wren Building

iPhone withdrawal has led the ladies to seek solace in their cameras

Mrs. Horne teaching the significance of the college and its distinguished alumni

The classroom may be different, but energizing Q&A between teacher and students remains the same

In the organ balcony overlooking the chapel in the Wren Building

Asleep in church?...looks familiar

After leaving the Wren Building and campus of William & Mary, we made our way further into Colonial Williamsburg and into the Governor's Palace. We learned a lot about its former residences and had a chance to tour its splendor.

The entryway contained scores of weapons as a show of force and assurance to the populace that the Governor was in charge and could protect them.


In the ballroom, we were treated to harpsichord music by a period musician

Listen to the music he played for us:

Outside the Governor's Palace - notice our tour guide in the upper right corner in full period clothing

The Palace gardens were spectacular

Pathway to a large pond on the grounds

Look closely. Can you spot the Carden students in the hedge maze?

Tree tunnel on the grounds

Another view of the Palace from the gardens

Last garden shot, I promise.

Garden girls (this doesn't count as another garden picture. It is more about the girls)

Mr. Hamilton's ride arrived just in time. Unfortunately, true to the period, it is powered by coal.

Moving on from the Governor's palace, we walked (quite a way) to the Williamsburg Capitol that housed the House of Burgesses of the Colony of Virginia from 1705, when the capital was relocated there from Jamestown, until 1779, when the capital was relocated to Richmond, VA. It is quite a building. Inside we received a summary of events surrounding the amazing evolution toward independence of the colonies that is rooted here.

Awaiting our turn to enter the Capitol


Receiving a phenomenal summary of events that had us spellbound. Many cited this as a highlight of the day.

Here is an excerpt of the amazing lecture we heard today. This is well worth watching:

Outside the Capitol, Savannah found a nice hollow log to rest in. Spencer looked on and wondered why.

People in period costumes were everywhere. This little fellow was a kind of hybrid sort. Few people realize that the BMX bike and mohawk helmet originated with and were quite common among early colonials as a mode of transport and female attractant respectively.

It was fun to see the old buildings - many original - with period actors on the front porches. We went into many of these that serve as shops or display museums depicting colonial lifestyle features

A long-standing tradition among Carden students and a favorite Mr. Jeffs ritual is buying a Scottish tartan tie at the Scotland Store in Williamsburg. Our first stop after lunch was to this shop where the students engaged with great alacrity. As we entered the shop, a kind elderly lady turned around and asked excitedly, "Are you the Salt Lake students?" She was delighted to see us but so saddened to hear of the Jeffs' passing. She told us a cute story about how Mr. Jeffs would sit in a chair by the door, resting his chin on his cane, and watch the student tie-feeding-frenzy, all the while asking "Is it safe for me to come out yet?" Clearly, he had an impact on people wherever he went; a lesson Mrs. Lund admonished us to consider during our lives - to be kind to others and build relationships with people wherever we go.

It was "go time" in the Scotland Store, leaving no tartan unturned

Sam sitting in Mr. Jeff's favorite chair in the Scotland Store where he could observe the students selecting ties and other Scottish emblems

The ladies displaying their 'colors'

Here's a little live action of the girls at this time:

Ben trying on his new tie. Sweet colors, Ben!

The balance of the afternoon was spent exploring Williamsburg. We saw a number of interesting installations, including a Gunsmith shop where we were able to learn about how early American arms were manufactured. We even got to watch a blacksmith hammering out a part for a gun. We visited the Bruton Parish Episcopal church and learned that it is 300 years old this year and has been open for services every day for each of those 300 years...pretty remarkable.

In addition to historical landmarks, we also had some fun, including some interesting moments with libations that we have captured here. First, girls drinking BACON flavored soda pop:

Mmmmm, good.

Not to be outdone, the boys took up the challenge as well with Bacon soda and Hot Wing Sauce flavored soda:

After all the shenanigans, it was time for dinner at Shield's Tavern where the food and drink was much more recognizable. We were treated to dinner music from a local as well:

At the end of dinner I asked some of the girls to reflect on the day and loved their answers. These young ladies are the best!:

As the ladies said at the end of the video, our next and final activity of the day was the spooky Tavern Walk where we learned about some of the more ethereal residents of Williamsburg

Learning about the spooks who haunt these old buildings

More ghost stories - the students were enthralled

Out into the streets to find some ghosts


All we really found were some strange sounding frogs in this ravine...

...And some great stories about jilted lovers and mourning parents who are restless in the hereafter and choose to return to the scenes of their corporeal misfortune

All this writing about ghosts is making me scared. I'd better curl up in my bed and try to get some sleep - with all the lights on - in anticipation of another great day tomorrow. Thank you for letting us enjoy this time with your amazing Carden students. We're really having a remarkable time being educated and entertained together.

Day 2 Summary

It is hard to believe it has only been one day given all we packed into it. The team rose early for breakfast and then it was off to Jamestown Island, the site of the first permanent English settlement in the United States. The first stop after an introduction in the visitor's center was to the Tercentennial Monument. Although there are several monuments scattered around Historic Jamestown, this is the largest and most eyecatching. It was built in 1907 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. One side of the base is engraved with the following quote which the students each copied into their travel journal:

“LASTLY AND CHIEFLY THE WAY TO PROSPER AND ACHIEVE GOOD SUCCESS IS TO MAKE YOURSELVES ALL OF ONE MIND FOR THE GOOD OF YOUR COUNTRY AND YOUR OWN, AND TO SERVE AND FEAR GOD THE GIVER OF ALL GOODNESS. FOR EVERY PLANTATION WHICH OUR HEAVENLY FATHER HATH NOT PLANTED SHALL BE ROOTED OUT.” ADVICE OF LONDON COUNCIL FOR VIRGINIA TO THE COLONY – 1606

Inspiring words, indeed.

Walking across the footbridge on approach to the Tercentennial Mounment

Carefully copying down words of wisdom from the monument base

Looking from the base of the monument toward the James River at a fine group of students who may have found the only shade on the island


One more view with the Jamestown Church in the background as well

Also on the island is the famous statue of the inimitable Pocahontas. The boys couldn't resist her sturdy gaze...

Boys surround the beautiful Pocahontas

...And the girls stepped in as well as a show of solidarity. I am pleased to report that Pocahontas was un-phased by all the attention.

Girls have to stick together!

Inside the Jamestown Church, Mrs. Lund explains the significance of the building

A statue of the mighty Captain John Smith, the hero of the Virginia Colony, overlooks the river, gazing out over its wide expanse. The students stopped here and learned more about how he took charge of the struggling colony and led them away from the brink of starvation.

Students at the base of the John Smith statue

After a little more time by the river, we headed to another great site, the glass factory, where glass blowing artists demonstrated their craft for us and gave us a chance to procure their wares. The students learned about colonialism and capitalism in the same morning...that's a twofer!

Something about a river that brings people together (Kate, Emily)

See what I mean? (Mary Elizabeth, Savannah, Lily)

Spencer and Andrew reflect on their Jamestown experience in this short video clip:

Jamestown Glass Factory

Being taught how glass is made, colored, shaped...


...and sold :-)

It might be a fair assumption that hand-blown Jamestown Glass will be appearing as Mother's Day gifts for more than a few Carden mothers but it is really neat and was fun and educational to see how it is made. We learned that glass is naturally green and must have additives to turn it clear or blue or other colors. Red is among the more expensive glass colors because it requires copper or gold to give it the red hue.

Isabelle and Allyson share what they learned about glass making in this video clip:

After a great time on Jamestown, we headed to Yorktown to visit the famous battlefield there and also Surrender Field where in reverence we looked upon the very ground where the British, under the command of General Cornwallis surrendered to General George Washington. Along the way we happened to see one of our nation's newest and mightiest naval vessels, the USS New York Battleship. It was forged from steel taken from the ruins of the World Trade Center towers, resulting from the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. It was an unexpected treat to see and prompted Mrs. Lund later to explain that Mr. Jeffs would call such unexpected surprises, "bonbons", the French word for "sweets". This was certainly a bonbon for us.

A "bonbon" of a vessel - much more massive in person

In Yorktown, we met Shirley, who was our delightful guide there. She has been helping Carden students for years and was so energetic, knowledgeable, and fun. She gave us a great overview of the battle of Yorktown and led us to the field where we could venture out and experience its location first hand.

Shirley captivating her audience - a truly wonderful guide

Students watching a video that described the Yorktown hostilities

Soldiers resting up before heading out to the battlefield

Looking out across the great Yorktown battlefield

A highlight of the day was when the students carried the American flag across the battlefield, stopping periodically to read about the significance of the great emblem of our nation

Crossing the battlefield with Old Glory

Savannah reads aloud the flag's significance

Students alternated being standard bearers (Kyli)

Video of the students crossing the field with the flag:

Marching across the field of battle

Ever wonder how to properly dispose of a tattered flag or how many U.S. flags there are on the moon or how to properly fly one at half-mast? James explains:

It was inspiring to see how respectful the students are of the flag. These are remarkable young women and men.

Thank you for the respect you show (Thayer and Sam)

While the students were reciting the Pledge of Allegiance and singing The Star Spangled Banner at the end of our march, I happened to spot this fellow circling gently overhead. Can't get much more patriotic than that scene.

Bald Eagle circling above the battlefield

After the march, the students enjoyed exploring some of the battlefield implements before returning to the bus.

You hot head (Andrew, Ben, Sam)

Not sure that's what those were for ... but looks fun

There had to be jumping in here somewhere

Wahoo!

Look at me, I'm an eagle!

After visiting the Yorktown Battlefield, we boarded the bus and headed to Surrender Field where Cornwallis surrendered to Washington. It is a great story that really culminates in the birth of our independence as a nation. One could justifiably say that America was born on this field. The students remained completely silent in reverence for what happened here as we approached the lookout over the field, listened to a narration of the events that took place, and returned to the bus. What a wonderful experience.

Looking out in silence over Surrender Field

Contemplating what happened on Surrender Field

After the quietude of Surrender Field, we let our hair down, so to speak (in some cases, got new hair), and received an education in fashion-of-the-day from superguide, Shirley. This was a lot of fun. Students dressed up is some of the attire of the period and even learned a song or two. A great capstone to our Yorktown experience.

Shirley showing us accoutrement of the colonial period

Just lovely (Anne)

Oh WOW! (Kate)

Who could resist?!? (Isabelle)

Nice tail! Actually called a "queue", some men actually wore these hair pieces (Gabe)

Having strong calves was a prerequisite - these fellas are all set. Check out Gabe's socks on the far left. Niiiiice!

Knowing how to properly extend niceties was very important

Lookin' good, ladies!

Shirley was a fount of knowledge!

Is this an actual colonial "Hip"-ster?

Beautiful curtsy ladies

Talk about out of your comfort zone...

Yorktown was wonderful and served as a great prelude to evening festivities in Colonial Williamsburg where the students explored a few of the sights and ended up dancing the night away in the Governor's Mansion where they were taught colonial dances by experts dressed in period garb. I'm not sure who had more fun, the students who danced or the adults who watched :-)

To preserve the ambiance of the period weren't allowed to film the dancing, which may have been for the best anyway.

Here are a few parting pictures of our Carden youth in Williamsburg.