Evening star., 1941-02-16
The travellers Notebook
HistoY's Pages Turned Back Dramatically
For Todoy's Traveller in VISITING
Restored Colonial WILLIAMSBURG

was acquiring the knowledge of
statecraft that later held together
the tenuous republic.
Sharpening the receptivity of mind
that appreciates old scenes is the
entrance to the town, which inter-
mittently has slept and doomed
through its life of nearly $50 years.
The first buildings the visitor sees
are in keeping with the Restoration
new churches in old dress. Also
at the gateway is the College of
William and Mary. proud that its
library, designed by Sir Christopher
Wren and constructed in 1895, ante
dates the removal of the capital from
jamestown to Williamsburg at the
close of the 18th century. Other COL
lege buildings carry out the theme.
A turn into the Duke of Gloucester
street and the Williamsburg adven-
ture, which tourists from every State
undertake, lies ahead.
East almost exactly mile, ending
the straight, broad street, is build
ing drawing attention by its size and
the fact that 1t flies British flag
1t is the cornerstone of the Restora-
ton effort, the reconstructed capi-
tol--completed in l930-and the flag
that lazily stretches and droops In
the breeze is hoisted over American
soil through authority of special
laws. 1t is not, however, the pres
ent-day symbol of the empire, but
the flag of the period in which Will
liamsburg thrived as New World
outpost, before the cross of st. Pat
rick was added to that of st. An
drew and st. George.
1t is to the capitol that travellers
to this shrine of American democ- |
racy gravitate early in their tour Of
the buildings. A note to the visitor
on the combination ticket" opens |
thus: although places of especial
interest in Williamsburg as various
y" So they are; not only various
but many. Twenty-Five buildings
and gardens are open to the public,
with fees charged at six. The COM
bination tickets note recommends |
that the buildings be visited in the |
order in which the stubs are printed. |
and the capitol is first, though it is
commended that the holder first in |
spect the archaeological collection
to be seen in the old courthouse,
situated in the Market Square. This
collection contains many rare OBJ
jectS having great bearing upon the
restoration of the buildings to be
viewed"
Built in the days when shanks |
mare was perforce the most usual
form of transportation. the older /
part of Williamsburg is not extensive.
A stones throw from the Capitol is
the Raleigh Tavern, as rich in ira
dition and as peopled by ghosts of |
great names as the Capitol itself. |
The same throw in another dlrec- /
ton would hit the public gaol, as
aWesome as many murder thrill /
er. Midway up the Duke of Glou-
cester street is the Palace Green.
Here one can stand in the shadow
of old Bruton Parish Church for
a distant view of the Royal Gov
ernors Palace. whose elaborate fur
authentic to the last de-
tail, reflect the splendor in which
lived dignitaries of the time. Going
through the palace is one of the
many "musts" in seeing the Res
toration.
Small as it is, Williamsburg is too
to be seen in day, and
one could hardly do the town"
except specifically in that time.
Indeed, some of the visitors take
advantage of the special repeat
combination ticket" to revisit the
Capitol, the gaol, Raleigh Tavern,
Ludwell- House and gar
den and the George Wythe House
and garden Counting all the more
beautiful gardens, the Craft House.
craft shops and at least a glimpse of
the Inn and the Lodge, there is
4 score of "musts." And one is
tempted to linger, as one should,
along the streets to absorb the at
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