Visiting Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement

One of the most memorable places I've ever visited was Williamsburg and Jamestown, VA. Particularly the part known as Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown Settlement. These cities are caulked full of America's earliest history.

When first we arrived in Williamsburg, VA, and wasn't real sure what to expect. Sure, we knew that there was a lot of history to be discovered, but how would we go about learning all there was to know? It was a welcome relief to learn that we could pay to tour Colonial Williamsburg and learn just about everything there is to know.

Colonial Williamsburg spans over 300 acres of land and boasts over 500 buildings both original and reconstructed. To really take you back to this time period more than two hundred years old, there are reenactments of important events and happenings of that time.

Being in the medical field, I found the Apothecary particularly appealing. It was really fascinating to see all the different medications from that time period. When we were in the Apothecary, there were "employees" from that time mixing medicines.

One of the other things that appealed to my medical sense was the Public Hospital. It is amazing to see what was acceptable medicine in those early days! The Public Hospital at Colonial Williamsburg was the first hospital in the United States for the mentally ill accepting it's first patient in October 1773. Inside the hospital you will find cells that the patients were locked in to isolate them from one another. The means they used to treat the mentally ill of that day were horrifying. It ranged from torture chambers, water shock therapy, and lobotomy. The hospital burned down in 1885 and was reconstructed in 1985.

Today the hospital houses the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum. The display of equipment used in the hospital are just one part of this museum. You can also see displays of currency of that time as well as many other exhibits.

While visiting Colonial Williamsburg, we were also able to witness, from a distance, archeological digs. These digs continue to uncover our countries roots.