07/21/2024
Dee Akright. Carol Kirwan and I embarked on one of our Classic Property Resources history-based day trips on Wednesday. Destination the Williamsburg Art Museums on Nassau Street. If you have not been to this fabulous new facility which combines the DeWitt-Wallace Decorative Arts Collection and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum – you must go. It is wonderful and with the added space, they have so much more room to display artifacts, many of which have been in storage for years. For the single admission price of $14.95, you can spend the day exploring the past. There is also a café where you can enjoy lunch.
I have been going to the DeWitt-Wallace Gallery for more than 30 years and it never disappoints. There is porcelain, glass; silver, furniture and more to experience. The gallery itself is underground with this glorious atrium which lets light into all the space. Just the experience of descending the staircase from the upper floor of the new building is breathtaking. Mounted on the walls of the stairs are mantels, pieces of an 18th century stair, and a Charleston window surround.
The Abbey-Aldrich Rockefeller folk art collection houses a collection of early portraits. The labeling identifies the subject as well as the connection to Colonial Williamsburg bringing history alive in a perfect way.
We had gone specifically to see the Elegance, Taste, and Style: The Mary D. Doering Fashion Collection
of 18th and 19th century women’s and men’s clothing and accessories. Mary began collecting in 1968 when she inherited a trunk full of period clothing from her aunt. Throughout her career, she continued to collect and curate pieces of the past. She worked closely with Cora Ginsberg and purchase many of the items on display from her. Mary used her collection to teach hundreds of students and researchers about the changing fashions, designs and styles of clothing.
Rather than have lunch in the cafe at the museums, we opted to travel out Jamestown Road to the Old Chickahominy House Restaurant. This restaurant has been owned and operated by the same family since 1955. They are famous for their old-style southern food which includes country ham, homemade biscuits, hand baked pies and Brunswick stew. My usual fare is Miss Belindas Lunch that includes all of these. A special treat is the opportunity to meet Stewie. “Over the years, our cats have gained a reputation all on their own. Stewie has become our mascot and loves to greet customers in our gift shop. Not to worry, though. Stewie is trained to stay only in the gift shop and never enters the restaurant or the kitchen. “ The restaurant is open Tuesday thru Sunday. Lunch is served from 11:30-2:15. They do take reservations which is advisable on Wednesday as they usually host a local bus tour group for lunch.
Instead of taking the chance of sitting in the afternoon traffic snarl at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, we opted to take a leisurely cruise on the Jamestown ferry over to Surry. Even though it was a very hot day – 90 degrees when we got on the ferry, it was pleasant on the James River with a lovely breeze on the upper deck walkway. The homeward bound ride down route 10 past Smithfield and on to Suffolk was unhurried and pleasant through nicely rolling old farmland. We got onto Route 58 and then on to 64 to complete our trip.
If any of you would like to participate in one of our day trip adventures, please let me know. I am putting together some exciting destinations for the fall. The Newbold-White House in Hertford, the oldest house in North Carolina, is on the slate for October.
Text me of give me a call at 757-477-2795
