My main website is MrWilliamsburg.com , head on over there to get all the current news and updates on homes and communities in the area..
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Are you looking for more info on Williamsburg VA real estate ?
Posted on August 24, 2017 by mrwilliamsburg
338 Fairway Lookout – Fairway Villas – Coming Soon!
Posted on April 14, 2023 by mrwilliamsburg
Every home has a story
John Womeldorf knows that every home has a story. As an experienced realtor with a deep love for Williamsburg, John looks beyond the basic features of the homes he sells. In his “Every Home Has a Story” series, he introduces potential buyers to the aspects of a home that they can’t see by viewing it online or attending a showing. By interviewing the sellers and writing about what makes each home so special, John helps his clients go from trying to see themselves living in an unfamiliar house to envisioning their family moving into their dream home.
Selling a home they’ve loved
Less than five years since moving to Williamsburg, Greg Fleehart is relocating to Northern Virginia to take a promotion. This means he is selling the Fairway Villas condo he and his wife, Madeline, have made their home. When it came time to list his home, Greg turned to John Womeldorf because of their shared history.
“John helped me find this place,” Greg says. “I moved here in 2018 to take a job as Head Brewer/Brewmaster for Precarious Beer Project. But now that I’ve accepted a position as Director of Brewing Operations at Honor Brewing in Northern Virginia, I’ll be selling.”
Easy condominium living with an enviable address
Fairway Villas is a small and private community of spacious condominiums. Located less than a mile from the Greensprings Interpretive Trail off John Tyler Highway (Route 5), residents enjoy close proximity to a variety of outdoor attractions (see below!). Colonial Williamsburg and New Town are an easy ten-15-minute drive away.
Fairway Villas’ location makes it a popular spot for young couples and families, as well as professionals and retirees. Residents of this community enjoy an outdoor lifestyle. There’s a pond stocked with fish, a swimming pool, tennis courts, and trails for jogging and cycling. For those who golf, Williamsburg National Golf Club is a stone’s throw away.
Greg and Madeline have enjoyed every aspect of their home and community, but they have especially embraced the many amenities its location delivers, in terms of the community’s natural attractions.
“The area is very quiet, the condo is spacious, and we have felt completely at home here,” Greg says. “We’ve enjoyed the access to nature, and the walkability of this neighborhood is fantastic.”
Natural amenities and proximity to outdoor recreation
The community’s lush, heavily treed setting is a stunner. Resplendent with beautiful, mature trees lining the entire neighborhood, it’s not hard to imagine that it used to be a wildlife refuge. (It was!)
Those who enjoy bird watching will be thrilled with the variety of feathered friends. From bluebirds and finches to eagles and hawks, there’s an extraordinary bird population.
Fairway Villas is also located close to the Greensprings Interpretive Trail and to the Virginia Capital Trail, a dedicated, paved pedestrian and bicycle trail that connects Virginia’s past and present capitals of Jamestown and Richmond. The community is only a couple miles from Billsburg Brewery, a popular waterfront brewery, and Spoke & Art Provisions Company (if you’re a cyclist in this town, then you know).
“We like to ride bikes down to Billsburg,” Greg says. “But you can also walk. There is really a lot of stuff very close by, great proximity to grocery stores, and we’re not far from downtown Williamsburg.”
Casual and comfortable
The condominium itself is a single-level, second-floor unit with a wonderfully open floor plan, perfect for hosting family and entertaining friends. Abundant windows throughout the second-floor home allow for lovely views of nature.
“The windows are nice,” Madeline says. “But the building is structured in such a way that the sun doesn’t invade the space or make it too hot in the summer. We tend to have more light in the afternoons and later in the day.”
The 1,162 square feet, spacious two-bedroom, two-bathroom home is enhanced by a countertop bar in the kitchen as well as modern stainless appliances and lighting/fixture upgrades throughout.
The lofted ceilings lend an air of even more space. “The first thing I fell in love with was the lofted ceilings,” Greg says.
The home features a kitchen that overlooks the great room and the dining area, which, in turn, connects to the sunroom. Since Madeline works from home, they have used the sunroom as a home office.
“There are so many places here that I’m able to work easily,” she says. “We’ve converted the sunroom into an office, but I can work from just about any part of the condo.”
What it has to offer
Greg and Madeline agree that perhaps the best feature is the open living space (and the dramatic ceilings).
“You can be in the kitchen looking into the living room or just watching TV while you cook,” Madeline says. “The space is great for entertaining, as well, and since we’re located on the second level there’s a pretty view of the trees and outdoors.”
The primary bedroom, generous in size, also boasts a cathedral ceiling as well as a spacious bathroom and a good-size walk-in closet. Storage space is abundant.
“It’s a genuinely nice living space,” Madeline says. “It’s not super big, but I think this home features a very efficient use of space.”
For many, the heart of a home is its kitchen and this one is no exception. The Fleeharts have particularly enjoyed the breakfast bar and intend to leave the barstools behind. “We also replaced the white laminate counters with scuff-resistant black matte that looks much cooler and more modern,” Madeline says.
The flooring in the kitchen and dining area is a high-quality wood laminate and both the stainless refrigerator and dishwasher are new.
“We’ve replaced faucet fixtures throughout, Madeline says. “We’ve also installed new ceiling fans and fixtures with dimmers in the living and dining areas.”
Condominium living
Condominium living in a neighborhood like Fairway Villas differs in several respects from other forms of homeownership. Condominium unit owners own only the inside of their unit, and each owner also shares in the common property, including the outside of the building and the surrounding grounds, roadways and walkways.
The monthly HOA fee of $225 covers trash pickup, all exterior maintenance and landscaping as well as the roof replacement and snow removal. Water is billed quarterly through the property management company.
The unit comes with its own climate-controlled storage unit in another building on-site which is great for housing bicycles or bulky seasonal items.
If you are searching for casual, maintenance-free living with one of the best addresses in town, Fairway Villas is perfect choice.
“There are so many plusses to this home and community,” says Greg. “There’s the convenience of being so close to town, while at the same enjoying the peace and quiet of being tucked away from it all.”
Each condo has two parking spaces located directly in front of the condo, allowing for easy access.
With this gem of a home, the community’s friendly neighbors, and maintenance free living, you are bound to want to call Fairway Villas home!
“It’s a killer find for the next owners,” says Madeline. “It’s just a great space.”
Schools:
Matoaka Elementary School
Lois Hornsby Middle School
Jamestown High School
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Busch Gardens Williamsburg Special Events 2017
Posted on February 23, 2017 by mrwilliamsburg
Details are still being added but here are the main special event announcements for the 2017 Busch Gardens Williamsburg season. Concerts are back this year with Summer Nights Concert Series featuring popular rock, pop, country and contemporary Christian performers live under the stars in the Royal Palace Theatre. Confirmed acts so far include 38 Special, Josh Turner, MercyMe, and, with additional names to be announced. Concerts are free with park admission.
Summer Nights
(July 1 – August 31, 2017)
New Shows
Two special shows also join the Summer Nights line-up. Britmania™, a new musical revue featuring British hits from the 1960s to today, debuts June 30, and will be performed throughout the day in the Globe Theatre. Busch Gardens also will debut a new show in Das Festhaus® on March 31. The yet-to-be-named show will feature traditional German music and dances, with a modern twist, offering diners a fun Oktoberfest experience every day.
Jack Hanna Weekend
(Sat. March 25 & Sun. March 26, 2017 )
Join “Jungle Jack” and some animal ambassadors at Busch Gardens® as they examine the importance of wildlife conservation. With his infectious energy, Jack Hanna makes animal and conservation education entertaining for the whole family. Jack will be in the Globe Theatre at 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. both days.
Food & Wine Festival
(Fri., Sat., & Sun., May 26 – July 2, 2017)
Tickle those taste buds with culinary delights at Busch Gardens® Food & Wine Festival. Enjoy authentic tastes from around the world while strolling through the world’s most beautiful theme park. Individual tasting portions make exploring all that the Food and Wine Festival has to offer easy. The hardest decision might just be deciding what to eat, or drink, first.
(July 3 & 4, 2017)
Celebrate Independence Day with two days of fireworks. The pyrotechnic displays will illuminate the skies. Guests can set up at their favorite spot in the park and watch a colorful display.
Bier Fest
(Select Days, Sept. 1 – 17, 2017)
More than 200 years of Oktoberfest traditions come to life this fall at Busch Gardens ® Bier Fest. Raise a glass to toast the end of summer with a variety of craft beers from around the globe. Sample traditional German food, listen to live music, and experience all this unique Bavarian celebration has to offer. Prost!
Howl-O-Scream®
(Select Days, Sept. 23 – Oct. 29, 2017)
Fill fall nights with fright at Busch Gardens® Howl-O-Scream®. At the stroke of 6 p.m. Busch Gardens becomes home to a host of creepy creatures that lie in wait for unsuspecting victims. Fear abounds in the Virginia theme park’s collection of haunted houses, Terror-tories™ and darkly entertaining live shows.
Christmas Town™
(Select Days, Nov. 24 – Jan. 1, 2018)
With eight millions lights, one of the largest light displays in North America, Christmas shines brightest at Busch Gardens ® Christmas Town ™. Festive food and drink, holiday shopping and heart-warming shows make the season come alive at Busch Gardens.
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Sneak preview of new wooden roller coaster at Busch Gardens Williamsburg
Posted on February 23, 2017 by mrwilliamsburg
I just got back from a construction tour of Invadr, Busch Gardens Williamsburg newest ride and the first wooden roller coaster at the park. Remember riding a wooden roller coaster as a kid ? Well Busch Gardens is hoping to recapture that feeling. “Nothing feels like a wooden coaster ” said Adam House with Great Coasters International the PA based contractor Busch Gardens partnered with to build InvadR.
The wooden roller coaster will include a 74-foot drop through two tunnels, nine hills and two tunnels. Top speed will approach 50 mph. And its all gravity powered. I have to admit when I heard it was a wood coaster I assumed the entire structure was wood. Not so, all the rails are wood but most of the structure is steel..
The trains, or frames, used to travel around the track on Gwazi at Busch Gardens in Tampa. After that ride was dismantled the cars were brought to Williamsburg last summer and completely stripped, inspected and updated to current technologies, with the added theming and comfortable seats, to produce a great ride on InvadR.
Busch Gardens will host a pass-member preview day March 18 and will open to the public March 25.
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New magazine launches in Williamsburg VA
Posted on November 18, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Want to discover the best-kept secrets of the greater Williamsburg, Va. area ?
The Local Scoop magazine has just launched with the first issue hitting stands November 2015.
Stephanie Heinatz ,former newspaper journalist, professional writer and entrepreneur is the newly named Editor of the Williamsburg edition.
Heinatz, founder of Consociate Media, a Virginia-based public relations and consulting firm, cut her teeth as a newspaper journalist. Whether working on assignment in her own hometown, or in the remote areas of East Africa or war-torn Iraq, Heinatz chased one thing – the story.
“Stories are the most powerful way to reach people, to inspire people, to enact change for good in our world,” Heinatz said. “When you look at what The Local Scoop has set out to do, it’s just that.”
Heinatz said she’s inspired herself by McFadden, who described the goals of the magazine to become an economic driver for our communities, couched in a lifestyle format.
The inaugural Williamsburg edition includes a Williamsburg food and wine crawl, holiday fashion spread, tips for gift giving to unique charitable groups in greater Williamsburg through the year’s most giving season, a feature on the emerging IMPACT 100 group, a one-on-one with Williamsburg Winery’s Matthew Meyer and a look at how Williamsburg has grown from its roots as a charming colonial tourist stop to one that boasts amenities of any modern mecca.
Read the full digital edition here.
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Brass Cannon Brewery moving closer to Williamsburg..
Posted on November 11, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Have you noticed the building going up on Mooretown Rd in the photo below ?
And now the Big News!
Brass Cannon will be moving to a brand new building at 5476 Mooretown Road. They are also be upgrading from a 4 barrel brewing system up to 20 barrels. and their new tasting room will be about 3 times the size of the current one. Projected opening date for the new location is March 2016 but the Toano location will be open until the switch over.
The new tasting room will be nearly 3 times the size of the current one, and will have both bar and table seating as well as plans for an outdoor beer garden area.
In these endeavors, location is key. Brass Cannon wanted a space that was closer to town than they are now, and readily accessible for guests. The new location lands them very close to Alewerks Brewing Company. BCB sees this as an opportunity for collaboration, and the combined presence of both breweries should be a positive thing for consumers and serve as a greater drawing power to get both locals and tourists out enjoying delicious beer.
Brass Cannon will be throwing a party at the brewery on Saturday, December 12. Good times and $1 off pints will be flowing from opening time at noon until at least 11pm.
Kickstarter Campaign
To help with the expansion, BCB is running a Kickstarter campaign. Funds raised will go primarily towards improvements to the new tap room. Details and a lovely video are at their campaign site.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/946749068/brass-cannon-brewing-expansion
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Virginia-The Oyster Capital of the East Coast
Posted on November 10, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Oysters are celebrated all along Virginia’s Coastal Region including two major annual oyster festivals.
Each November, the lovely town of Urbanna, found on the Rappahannock River, throws the country’s largest and longest-running oyster festival called the Urbanna Oyster Festival. The town’s streets are closed to vehicle traffic and become filled with oyster booths, seafood dishes, music and crafts. The festival highlight is the oyster shucking contest which draws spectators from around the world.
The Official Oyster Festival of the Commonwealth!
Come by BOAT or come by LAND and enjoy everything oyster and more! The charming Town of Urbanna closes it’s streets for this big celebration of oysters and the heritage that surrounds it.
Over 50 food vendors with of course, OYSTERS!! Raw, Steamed, Roasted, Rockefeller, Fried, Stewed, but also lots of festival food fare as well.
Unique Arts and Crafts along Community Row takes you the town marina to see historical boats and exhibits on the conservation of the bay, watermen and the oyster industry.
7:00 pm on Friday is the Fireman Parade and 2:00 pm on Saturday is the Oyster Festival Parade, home town fun with the shiners, marching bands, cool cars, beauty queens and floats.
Check out the historic 1766 Old Tobacco Warehouse/Scottish Factor Store museum, learn all about the history of oysters and boats and the Mitchell Map
In the village find the Antique Auto Show, children’s activities and music concerts!
Don’t miss the Oyster Shucking Contest on Saturday behind the Firehouse. Somebody has to eat those shucked oysters – be in the audience!
Local Virginia Wine Tastings and boutique oyster samples from local Rappahannock River Oysters available for 21 years old and over for $10 on Friday and Saturday.
Admission Fee: Parking Fee $10/Friday and $20/Saturday $2/Water Taxi
Other Upcoming Virginia Oyster Festivals
Urbanna – Nov. 6, 7 – Urbanna Oyster Festival
Wachapreague – Nov. 7 – Island House Oyster Roast
Saxis – Nov. 7 – Saxis Island Oyster Roast
Gloucester – Nov. 7 – TOGA Virginia Half-Shell Oyster Tasting
Warsaw – Nov. 8 – Fall Oyster Crawl on the Chesapeake Bay Wine Trail
Suffolk – Nov. 8 – Passion for Paws Picnic, Whiskers Wine Tasting, & Oyster Roast
Topping – Nov. 14 – From the Rappahannock, For the Rappahannock: Oysters for Life
Lancaster – Nov. 14 – MBW Museum Oyster Roast: Shuckin’ & Jivin’ on the Lancaster Green
Machipongo – Nov. 14 – Merroir & Terroir – Oyster Extravaganza
Afton – Nov. 14 – 15 – Oyster Roast at Cardinal Point Vineyard & Winery
Melfa – Nov. 14 – Oysters a la Carte
Reedville – Nov. 14 – Reedville Fishermen’s Museum Oyster Roast
Newport News – Nov. 14 – Virginia Living Museum Oyster Roast
Onancock – Nov. 20 – 21 – Ducks Unlimited Oyster & Wine Lovers’ Weekend
Machipongo – Nov. 21 – Ducks Unlimited Oyster Roast
Chesapeake – Nov. 21 – Oyster & South Festival
Irvington – Nov. 21 – Taste by the Bay: Wine, Food, Arts & Ale
Cape Charles – Nov. 28 – Cape Charles Historical Society Oyster Roast
Heathsville – Dec. 5 – "Oysters and Oldies" Christmas Oyster Roast
Chincoteague Island – May 7 – Annual Chincoteague Seafood Festival
Chincoteague Island – Oct. 8 – Annual Chincoteague Island Oyster Festival
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Love Sport? Love Art? Love music?
Posted on September 21, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
The City of Williamsburg, a known "bicycling community" and a designated "Bike Friendly Community" by The League of American Bicyclists, is a perfect location for Spoke & Art, a one-week long combination sport, art and culinary event that will take place on the lawn of the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg on Francis Street (formerly the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Art Museum) beginning today through Sunday, September 27, 2015. 326 West Francis Street in Colonial Williamsburg. 
Under the Spoke & Art tent you will find a pop-up sports bar, The HandleBar, with a big screen TV to watch the races in real-time; fresh, local restaurant food and beverage for purchase and a gallery of sports paintings, sculptures and photography curated by John Lee Matney, owner of Linda Matney Art Gallery, plus a large display of Las Bicicletas bicycle sculptures in three sizes to purchase and enjoy.
Come out for lunch everyday and watch the race LIVE.
There are many more events like morning yoga sessions, business night, and the Williamsburg Celebrates Art Contemporary Artisans Show. A list of all the events can be found at www.spoke-n-art.com.
Spoke & art kickoff night
Monday 9/21 from 5-9 PM
Come on out to kickoff this week of fun and excitement. The DOG Street Pub Running Club will be ending their weekly 5K run under the tent. Legend has it that they love to drink a beer or two when they’re done, so why not join them?
Live music by The Hark.
Food and drink will be available for purchase from the Dog Street Pub.
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Annual Parade of Homes Returns to Richmond VA in October 2015 with More New Homes to Tour
Posted on September 10, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
The Parade of Homes, sponsored by Trust Mortgage Corporation, will be held October 3-4, 10-11, and 17-18, 2015. Hours are from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and admission is free.
The Home Building Association of Richmond (HBAR) is proud to announce that the 64th Annual Parade of Homes event will return to the Greater Richmond area in October 2015. This event is the premier program showcasing the best new homes in the region and is free for the public. The Parade of Homes begins on October 3 and will run for the first three weekends of the month.
There will be 82 new homes and 2 multi-family properties built by 33 builder members in this year’s show, and more than half are decorated models. This number of homes represents an over 15 percent increase in entries from 2014, providing attendees even more new homes and trends to tour.
The homes are located throughout the Greater Richmond area including the Counties of Chesterfield, Goochland,Hanover, Henrico, King William, New Kent, Powhatan, Prince George and the City of Richmond. This is the best opportunity to see every type of new home imaginable, showcasing the latest in designs, construction techniques, and materials, at prices ranging from the $200s to over $850,000. Plus, you can take advantage of touring two multi-family properties in RVA offering an unparalleled urban-type lifestyle.
The Parade of Homes Plan Book will include detailed information about the event and the individual homes on the tour, including home designs, floor plans and descriptions, detailed directions to each home, and a map. The magazine is free and will be available beginning Saturday, September 19 at Richmond area Martin’s and Kroger supermarkets, as well as at HBAR headquarters, 400 N. Ridge Road, in western Henrico County. This website will also feature a linked map showcasing entries in a specific area of interest and a special search by criteria section to make it even easier to find your new dream home. You can download a copy on the Parade of Homes website after Sept 19th. Richmond VA Parade of Homes
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How is the real estate market in Williamsburg Virginia ? August 2015
Posted on September 4, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
When looking at sales statistics for any market you really need to drill down into the specific price range to gain an in depth understanding of what is happening. As you can see in the chart below depending on the price range closed sales, number of homes on the market and pending sales are drastically different within the various price bands. These number reflect sales in the 23188, 23188 and 23168 zip codes which cover the areas of City of Williamsburg, James City County, Upper York County and the Toano areas. 
Does it seem like there aren’t many homes on the market ? That is a result of a dearth of listings. The number of homes on the market is down almost 30% over last year in the $200-$250k price range and between 9% and 160% in the $250k to $600k price ranges. As a result of low inventory overall sales are down slightly (3%) from last year. But sales in the 350-400k range are up 30.8% and 50% in the $600k to $750k range.
Home sellers and buyers are basically on an equal footing when supply equals demand. The magic number, many housing experts say, is six.
As in, "it’ll take six months to sell all the homes now on the market at the current pace of sales."
In Williamsburg we are basically there in the under $400k market. Above that we still have a ways to go with inventories ranging from 10 months of supply in the $500-$600k range and as high as 22 months in the $750k + price range.
One last note I am happy to report. Although sales for the year are down slightly in the overall Williamsburg VA real estate market our company ( Liz Moore and Associates) continues to lead the market in sales. Our companies sales are up 38% over last year. We lead the area in sales and sell one in six homes in the market.
psst … I’m a Realtor! Thanks for stopping by my website. I would love to help you find your dream home and community in the Hampton Roads or Williamsburg area or to sell your existing home.If you’re a Williamsburg or Coastal Virginia home seller who has been wondering if it might finally be time to sell, email me at John@MrWilliamsburg.com , and I can prepare a complimentary analysis of market value for you – you just may be pleasantly surprised.
This post was authored by local resident and REALTOR, John Womeldorf. John is known around town as Mr. Williamsburg, for both his extensive knowledge of Hampton Roads and the historic triangle, and his expertise in the local real estate market. His websites,WilliamsburgsRealEstate.com and Mr Williamsburg.com were created as a resource for folks who are exploring a move toWilliamsburg, VA , Hampton Roads VA and the surrounding areas of the Virginia Peninsula.
You can reach John by phone at 757-254-8136 or email him at John@MrWilliamsburg.com
I look forward to serving your real estate needs!
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Governor McAuliffe Signs Deed to Transfer Fort Monroe Land to National Park Service
Posted on August 25, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Governor Terry McAuliffe today signed a deed that transfers land at Fort Monroe from the Commonwealth of Virginia to the National Park Service, solidifying Virginia’s commitment to turning the fort into a national monument for the enjoyment of tourists and history-buffs from all over the Commonwealth and country.
The deed was signed in a public ceremony at the Main Gate of the Fort by Governor McAuliffe and Peggy O’Dell, the Deputy Director of the National Park Service. The document formally and legally finalizes the transfer of land at Fort Monroe from the Commonwealth of Virginia to the National Park Service.
“Fort Monroe is a rich historical site that helps tell the story of our Commonwealth and our country,” said Governor McAuliffe. “By transferring this land to the National Park Service, we are creating the opportunity to enhance this great asset so that we can preserve our history and leverage it to draw greater tourism revenue and economic activity to the Peninsula. I am thrilled to sign this deed and help begin the next chapter in the history of Fort Monroe.”
The land transfer preserves a group of significant landmarks at Fort Monroe that highlight some of our nation’s most important events. Robert E. Lee lived at the Fort and helped design and construct the stone fortification. Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a Fort casemate. Harriet Tubman spent time at the Fort after the Civil War, and Edgar Allen Poe was stationed there as a young soldier.
The Fort also tells the significant story of the beginning and the end of slavery in the United States. One such story includes three brave men — Frank Baker, James Townsend and Sheppard Mallory – who escaped enslavement and rowed a skiff to Old Point Comfort to seek asylum. General Benjamin Butler declared these men "contraband of war." This inspired tens of thousands of African Americans throughout the South to seek self-emancipation across Union lines. This monument provides a unique opportunity to share this story with visitors from around the world.
The deed signing marks the culmination of years of hard work by state leaders, the City of Hampton, the National Park Service, the historic preservation community, the National Park Conservation Association and the Citizens for a Fort Monroe National Park.
To learn more about Fort Monroe, visit http://www.nps.gov/fomr/index.htm.
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Jamestown Rediscovery and Smithsonian Partner to Reveal Identities of Four Lost Founders of Early English America
Posted on July 28, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
A team of archaeologists and scientists from the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation at Historic Jamestowne and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History has identified the remains of four men buried in a church discovered recently at Jamestown dating to 1608. This church is also where Pocahontas married John Rolfe. The identification of the men – The Rev. Robert Hunt, Captain Gabriel Archer, Sir Ferdinando Wainman, and Captain William West – reveals new information about the leaders of Jamestown, Virginia, the first permanent and successful English colony in America, and sheds new light on the role of religion in the colony. 
· The Reverend Robert Hunt was the first Anglican (Church of England) minister at Jamestown. He arrived with the first settlers and was responsible for providing religious services to the men as well as for preaching to local Indian peoples.
· Captain Gabriel Archer, a vociferous critic and rival of Captain John Smith, was one of the most important of the early leaders, involved in much of the in-fighting that characterized the colony’s first few years. Resting on top of Archer’s coffin, the team discovered a small, silver box, which was found to contain shards of bone and a tiny lead ampulla that would have held holy water, oil, or even blood. The presence of the reliquary, a sacred object normally (but not exclusively) associated with Catholicism may suggest Archer was a secret Catholic. Alternatively, it is possible the object had significant meaning in the founding of the established church, the Church of England, in the New World.
· Sir Ferdinando Wainman was a kinsman of the governor, Lord De La Warr, and a high ranking officer who was appointed master of ordnance (artillery) and placed in charge of the colony’s horse troops.
· Captain William West was also a relative of Lord De La Warr and was killed in fighting against elite Indian warriors in the fall or winter 1610.
“Other than in the graves of the wealthy and well-born, it is extremely rare to find artifacts in English burials of this period,” said Dr. William Kelso, Director of Archaeology at Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation. “The presence of the artifacts and the location of the graves in the church’s most sacred space, the chancel, both indicate the high status of the four men and their importance to the early history of the Jamestown venture.”
Archaeologists investigated the four burials in November 2013, and then joined with Smithsonian forensic anthropologist Douglas Owsley and his colleagues to determine the identities of the men. The research has been ongoing since.
“With the discovery of four burials in the chancel of the church, we looked forward to the challenge of identifying these individuals by name,” said Owsley, division head of physical anthropology at the National Museum of Natural History. “The skeletons of these men help fill out the stories of their lives and contribute to existing knowledge about the early years at Jamestown.”
Adopting multiple lines of evidence, including forensic analyses of the remains, rigorous examination of artifacts found in the graves, sophisticated CT scans, 3D-technology, and archival research, the names of four leaders were singled out from several dozen high status men who were present in the colony from 1608 through 1617 when the church fell into disrepair.
“This is an extraordinary discovery, one of the most important of recent times,” said James Horn, President of the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation. “These men were among the first founders of English America. They lived and died at a critical time in the history of the settlement – when Jamestown was on the brink of failure owing to food shortages, disease, and conflict with powerful local Indian peoples, the Powhatans.”
Historic Jamestowne, the archaeology site where these discoveries were made, is open to the public and provides visitors with chances to talk to the archeologists who were part of this remarkable discovery and to learn more about the earliest days at Jamestown.
The Smithsonian’s 3D Digitization Program Office in collaboration with Jamestown Rediscovery archaeologists conducted detailed scans of the burial sites. Users can download or interact with 3-D models of the chancel burial ground, the four graves and Archer’s silver box, look at a vast collection of high-resolution field photos and videos or take 360-degree tours of the site. This information is available on Jamestown Rediscovery’s site www.historicjamestowne.org.
Future research will involve genetic testing to learn more about the identities of the four men and to better understand the familial relationship between Wainman and West. Further work is also underway to discover additional information about the men’s English backgrounds and experiences before arriving in Virginia, to learn more about the significance and sacred meaning of the silver box, and to explore Anglicanism and Catholicism in early Jamestown.
Several additional partners assisted in this process, including GE and Cornell University who generously provided access to their CT scanning facilities, expert staff, and imaging collaborator ZEISS Microscopy, and Micro Photonics who scanned and modeled the contents of the silver box. Ancestry.com provided invaluable genealogical research support.
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Spend a lovely afternoon touring gorgeous new homes, viewing work from local artists, & enjoying complimentary wine & hors d’oeuvres!
Posted on July 25, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Are you looking for something to do this weekend? Liz Moore & Associates and the Linda Matney Fine Art Gallery have teamed up to bring you Williamsburg’s first ever New Home + Art Tour on Sunday, July 26th from 1- 5 pm. Spend a lovely afternoon touring gorgeous new homes in Fords Colony viewing work by local artists, & enjoying complimentary wine & light hors d’oeuvres. Click here to download a map of participating properties.
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Class registration opens soon for Christopher Wren Association-2015
Posted on July 10, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
The Christopher Wren Association for Lifelong Learning has just released its fall 2015 catalogue of classes in advance of fall registration, which begins July 21.
CWA, a College of William & Mary program was founded in 1991 by two retired educators, Wayne Kernodle from William and Mary and Ruth Kernodle from Christopher Newport University. In its first semester, enrollment was 105. Today, enrollment has increased to over 1400 members
There are over 100 courses from which to choose – with subjects ranging from Computer Labs/Lectures to Religion & Philosophy – to American History, Art, Music & Film. A typical class might be “The Music of Duke Ellington” or “Conversational Italian” – or it might be “The Holocaust from a Victim’s Perspective” or “Greenhouse Gas Emissions: how to eliminate and reduce them.” Actually, there is no typical class. The subjects are as unique as the instructors who teach them and the members who enroll. Courses are taught by volunteer instructors from William and Mary faculty, both current and emeritus, as well as instructors from the Association’s membership and the community at large. Additional offerings include the “Town and Gown” series of special guest lecturers and special event trips for an additional charge.
Registration for classes opens on July 21st, 2015. Admission is open to any adult who is able to take daytime classes, and tuition for a semester is $100. Interested parties can request a catalogue and register here.
Even though its membership is robust, CWA is always looking for new members. Besides, who doesn’t want to keep up with current events, continue their personal growth, and have fun learning something new? Or, at the other end of the spectrum, impart wisdom from a successful career?
Learn more about the Christopher Wren Association for Lifelong Learning at http:// www.wm.edu/cwa/
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Top Williamsburg VA Real Estate Brokers-June 2015
Posted on July 8, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
The numbers are in for June 2015 in the Williamsburg Virginia real estate market. . Year to date for 2015 our office (Liz Moore and Associates) has a commanding lead in market share with over 16% of the market.
Not to brag but our company’s listings and sales were greater than the combined listings and sales of six area real estate brokerages : KIngsmill Realty, Fords Colony Realty, REMAX Capital , Century 21 Nachman, Twiddy Realty & Coldwell Banker Traditions, who were the 6th-10th place finishers in sales in the Williamsburg VA real estate market year to date in 2015
In second place is Long and Foster, third place is William E Wood and Associates followed by Berkshire Hathaway Home Services ( previously Prudential)
Note sales number above are from the Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors (WAAR) MLS numbers, It reflects sales for Residential real estate : (Single Family Detach, Attached/Condo/Townhome, Condo, Townhouse), Lots and Land: within the zip codes of 23188,23185 and 23168.
If you’re a Williamsburg or Hampton Roads VA Home seller who has been wondering if it might finally be time to sell, email me a tJohn@MrWilliamsburg.com or call 757 254 8136 , and I can prepare a complimentary analysis of market value for you – you just may be pleasantly surprised.
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Read the latest Fords Colony newsletter for July 2015
Posted on July 3, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Anyone considering a move to Williamsburg will find lots of valuable info for the Fords Colony community and Williamsburg VA. Explore the 52+ active clubs, see what’s happening below..
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STAR SPANGLED NIGHTS AT BUSCH GARDENS KICKS OFF FRIDAY WITH EXTENDED FIREWORKS
Posted on July 1, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
– Busch Gardens® celebrates America with a bang during a patriotic summer spectacular, Star Spangled Nights, every Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 3 through Sept. 6, 2015. Guests can enjoy patriotic themes throughout the park during the day. The sky lights up at night with fireworks choreographed to a moving original soundscape. Unique merchandise and culinary offerings blend seamlessly with rich musical traditions, creating a fun red, white and blue event that can only be found at Busch Gardens.
This Friday and Saturday, guests will enjoy an extended fireworks show in honor of the July 4 weekend.
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July 4th Independence Day Celebration-2015- Williamsburg VA
Posted on July 1, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
There’s no better place to celebrate independence than the town where so much history was made.(Williamsburg VA) Bring your family and spend the holiday with us this July 4th.
As darkness falls, high flying aerial fireworks visible from much of the Historic Area in Williamsburg celebrate our nation’s birthday. The best places to see these spectacular fireworks are from Market Square, Palace Green, or the Public Hospital grounds. Parking is available at the Visitor Center but, due to heavy traffic, shuttle bus service to the Historic Area is not available from 8:45 until 10:45. Shuttle bus service is available with or without tickets on the 4th of July.
Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m., and a whole day of special programming precedes them.
LIGHT UP YOUR INDEPENDENCE DAY AT AMERICA’S BIRTHPLACE
Join us in Williamsburg for a vibrant and patriotic Fourth of July celebration. With a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence, a leisurely picnic in the Palace Garden and a dazzling display of fireworks—you’ll want to come early and stay late into the evening.
INDEPENDENCE DAY IN “THE REVOLUTIONARY CITY”
Begin your Independence Day celebration with our special morning militia muster in “The Revolutionary City” and a dramatic reading of the Declaration of Independence. Spend your afternoon touring the city before the evening Independence Day Celebration. Our stunning fireworks display—and your participation with glow sticks—finishes out the night.
JULY 4TH, 2015 EVENT SCHEDULE, COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG VA
Colonial Williamsburg’s programs begin with “Salute to the States” at 10 a.m. on July 4 on Market Square behind the Courthouse. A special militia muster in commemoration of the anniversary of the birth of our nation salutes the 13 original colonies. The Fifes and Drums perform, flags of each state are displayed, and music and cannons celebrate the event.
The Declaration of Independence is our nation’s founding document and announces a vision of a new society in which “all men are created equal.” A special interpretation at noon at the Capitol gives voice to “the People’s” document.
During “Music for the Fireworks” at 8 p.m. behind the Courthouse on Market Square, Colonial Williamsburg’s Fifes and Drums perform a concert of patriotic music. Fireworks begin at 9:15 p.m. and can be enjoyed on Palace Green or from Market Square.
Parking is available at the Visitor Center. Due to heavy traffic, shuttle bus service to the Historic Area is not available between 8:45 and 10:45 p.m. Shuttle bus service is available with or without Colonial Williamsburg admission tickets.
Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or a lawn chair, and park at the Visitor Center and take Colonial Williamsburg’s buses to the Historic Area. No ticket is required to enjoy this program.
Event Schedule July 4th, 2015
10 a.m.
Salute to the States behind the Courthouse
11 a.m.
Reading of the Declaration of Independence on Courthouse steps
11:30 a.m.–4 p.m.
Colonial Faire at various locations including tomahawk throwing, cannons, drills, 3-legged races, quoits, and crafts (admission ticket required)
1:30–3 p.m.
Colonial Auction at Market Square
5–9 p.m.
Historic Tavern dining available
Reservations required
8:15–8:45 p.m.
Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums Perform
8:45–9:15 p.m.
Illuminations of Market Square and Palace Green
9:10 p.m.
Salute to the Nation: A special tribute to our Armed Forces
9:20 p.m.
Fireworks begin
Parking and Transportation
Take advantage of free parking at the Colonial Williamsburg Regional Visitor Center, where you can purchase admission tickets and use our shuttle bus service. Please note that the pedestrian bridge to the Revolutionary City will be closed to traffic from 9:15 to 10 p.m.
Shuttle Schedule
9 a.m.–8 p.m.
Every half hour from the Visitor Center to all regular stops
8–9 p.m.
Express service ONLY from the Visitor Center to the Palace stop
9–11 p.m.
NO SERVICE*
11 p.m.
Regular service to all stops
Filed under: 365 Things to do in Williamsburg, Virginia, 4th of July, Holiday Events, williamsburg va | Leave a comment »
Custom home for sale in Greensprings West Community
Posted on June 9, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Gloria Baller took a giant leap of faith when it came to building her home in Thorngate Landing/ Greensprings West two years ago. “My husband was with the military and stationed in Germany,” recalls Gloria, who met her husband, Craig, when he was stationed in Italy 17 years ago. “We knew we wanted to be in Williamsburg, and we knew that / Greensprings West was the type of close-knit, family-oriented community we were looking for. But we were still living outside the U.S. at that time.”
While Gloria and the couple’s two children stayed in Germany, Craig flew to Virginia to work with real estate agent John “Mr. Williamsburg” Womeldorf on finding the perfect / Greensprings West building lot. Gloria didn’t get to see the properties in person, but based on her husband’s communications and a little help from Google maps, she got a good feel for what they were like. Eventually, she and Craig found the right lot, a flat, .34-acre property with mature trees, just right for building their new home.
Gloria’s stress level rose a bit when it came time to actually build the house – again, without seeing anything in person. “It was pretty stressful because I’m oriented toward details,” said Gloria, who loves art and design. “I like to see the materials that go into my home.” Craig did visit Greensprings West / Thorngate Landing once during construction of their 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath transitional Colonial. However, most design decisions had to be made long distance, based upon emails, photos, and the help of their agent, John.
Post-construction Personal Touches. Despite the uncommon process of building a house from an ocean away, Gloria was excited about the result. “We tried to keep the design simple, not overcrowded, fresh and contemporary. I love the open concept of our home.”
Gloria added some personal touches after moving in, including built-in cabinetry in the living room and woodworking in the foyer. “Details like the unusual paneling on the stairs and the foyer woodwork are important. I’m impressed with how our [craftsman] had such an artistic eye, matching the new work with the existing style so that it doesn’t look like it was added afterwards. Our home is Colonial style with a contemporary flair.”
Favorite Spots. Gloria spends most of her time in the family room and the kitchen, where she can see outside as she cooks. “I like to cook, and I love to bake,” she says, noting that risotto and gnocchi are staples in her cooking repertoire. “I’m trying to become vegetarian, but I still cook meats for my kids and husband.”
The kitchen area is her favorite part of the house. “It gets lots of morning light, and has an open and airy feel.” How about Craig? “His favorite place is his ‘man cave’ in the bonus room above the garage,” Gloria laughs. That room, which is accessible from the second floor, features a treadmill and a collection of military photographs.
Another aspect of her home that Gloria appreciates is its abundant storage. “We have so many closets and we have shelving in the garage. There’s a place for everything.”
The Perfect Back Yard. After admiring exterior stone work done at a friend’s home, Gloria and Craig hired the same company to design and build a large patio for their back yard. “I wanted something that was not a standard wooden deck, something that had more character,” Gloria notes. “So, we used tumbled stone to create a natural, old feeling.”
The patio curves into the lush yard, punctuated by stone columns and a circular fire pit. “We took safety into consideration when we designed the fire pit, putting it about 20 feet away from the house,” Gloria says.
“Our family loves to make s‘mores together out there,” she adds. “The patio is a great place for family times and for entertaining. We’ve had great times around the fire; it’s such a warm, family feeling being outside and playing with the kids.”
The couple fenced their yard with wrought iron railing, similar to what had been installed by their neighbors. Wrought iron provides a more open fence than wood, allowing a better view of the trees bordering their property. “Also, we have three dogs, so a fence is important,” Gloria points out, noting they have lots of wildlife in Thorngate Landing, but the fence keeps deer off the back property. “I really love the privacy of our yard.”
A Great Neighborhood. In addition to being attracted to Greensprings West convenient location and good public schools, Gloria and her family were impressed with the community’s amenities. Among them are walking/biking trails, swimming pools, basketball and tennis courts, and a golf course. “My son walks to the basketball court and he fishes in the neighborhood ponds,” says Gloria. “And, for those with kids doing competitive swimming, our team, the Gators, is very good.”
Gloria and her family are now moving from Greensprings West, but with some sadness. “We’re close to our neighbors, we socialize with them,” Gloria notes. “I’ll miss them a lot.”
To sell their home, the couple again has turned to John “Mr. Williamsburg” Womeldorf. “John was great when we were buying our lot and building our home from Germany,” says Gloria. “Despite the time differences, if we had a question he would get back to us in 30 minutes. It could have been a really stressful process, but he eased our minds.”
Why the stories? Because these aren’t just houses, they’re homes.
Mr. Williamsburg knows that when you’re looking for a new place, you’re searching for more than just four walls plus amenities; you’re looking for that welcoming refuge we call home. That’s why we go beyond the standard “4 bedrooms, 3 baths on large lot” statistics, to share how others have lived in this house, to reveal the home’s unique personality, to help you decide whether this is a place where your family could thrive.
Likewise, we realize that you’re seeking not simply a development within a particular zip code, but also an opportunity to become part of a community. That’s why we share our sellers’ experiences as members of that neighborhood.
Contact John@MrWilliamsburg.com for further info on this home or others in the Williamsburg VA area..
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Free Movies in Colonial Williamsburg start June 14,2015
Posted on June 8, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Enjoy FREE movies each summer Sunday evening outdoors on Prince George Street in Colonial Williamsburg. . Movies start June 14, 2015 and run through August.
Many thanks to the folks at Blue Talon Bistro with help from the City of Williamsburg, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation and local businesses for making this happen.
Are you feeling motivated yet? Well, good. Dust off your lawn chair, grab the kids and come down to Prince George Street every Sunday night – starting June 14 with "Maleficent"!
2015 Summer Sunday Movie Schedule
- June 14: Maleficent
- June 21: Paddington Bear
- June 28: Into the Woods
- July 5: The Box Trolls
- July 12: Alexander and the Terrible, No-Good, Really Bad Day
- July 19: THE GRINCH – XMAS IN JULY!! (Toys for Tots fundraiser)
- July 26: Hook (Robin Williams)
- Aug 2: Big Hero 6
- Aug 9: To Have & Have Not – Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart
- Aug 16: Cinderella
- Aug 23: Planes: Fire & Rescue
- Aug 30: Hunger Games: MockingJay
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Read the latest Fords Colony newsletter…
Posted on June 6, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Folks considering a move to Fords Colony in Williamsburg VA should read the latest issue of the “Talk of The Colony for June 15.
The Talk of the Colony is a monthly newsletter that is distributed to all homeowners at the first of each month. In it you will find details of over 52 clubs for Fords Colony residents along with monthly happenings, articles on aging, community updates and a wealth of other important information.
Ford’s Colony is an award winning multi-generational community of over 5000 residents in more than 2400 homes. It is situated on 3,000 acres in Virginia’s Historic Triangle, comprised of Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown. With nearby Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean beaches to the east and the beautiful Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains to the west, Ford’s Colony is surrounded by a wide range of outdoor activities, entertainment, arts and cultural venues, good shopping and great dining.
Ford’s Colony is a gated community, designed and built along landscaped roads that meander in and around a landscape of ponds, wetlands and woodlands. The community has activities to suit residents of all ages who come from across the country and around the world with diverse backgrounds, experiences and careers. Ford’s Colony offers about 52 clubs and activities, two community pools, hard and clay tennis courts, a nature trail, walking and bicycle paths, as well as the Ford’s Colony Country Club with three golf courses.
Read more about Fords Colony here
Search homes for sale in Fords Colony here
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Xanterra to sell Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg VA
Posted on May 29, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Kingsmill Club members received this notice of Xanterra’s decision to sell the Resort.
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Traffic Alert -Run for the dream this weekend in Williamsburg VA
Posted on May 29, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
On Saturday, May 30, 2015, and Sunday, May 31, 2015, Williamsburg will host the fourth annual Run For The Dream 8K & Half Marathon to benefit the Achievable Dream Academy.
To ensure runner and pedestrian safety, the City of Williamsburg Police Department will manage changes in traffic patterns and reroute traffic for the race. Motorists should expect traffic delays and drivers are encouraged to use alternate routes to their destination.
Both races will start at the Colonial Williamsburg Visitors Center and finish on the campus of the College of William & Mary. Primary roads of the course include: Bypass 60, Capital Landing, Colonial Williamsburg, Scotland, Richmond, York, S. England, Newport, S. Boundary, and Jamestown.
Click the link below for specific traffic notification information:
Run for the Dream Traffic Impact 2015
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Stop the power lines-Save the James
Posted on May 22, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
A message from : National Trust for Historic Preservation
The Down to the Wire team has been hard at work and on the move, letting Virginia — and the nation — know about Dominion Virginia Power’s plan to put high-voltage power lines across the beautiful, historic James River. Last week, we took the campaign to Jamestown — the birthplace of our country, and an area that would be directly impacted by these power lines.
The third episode of their #DownToTheWire video series puts you in the middle of the action at Jamestown Landing Day, near the site where Dominion Virginia Power is proposing to construct power lines. We talked with visitors and asked them what makes it so special to them — and their heartfelt answers show just how much their experience would change if Dominion goes through with its short-sighted plan.
With the river sparkling behind them and history all around, visitors signed our petition, urging Dominion to seriously consider other options. Can you help us add even more signatures? Share the petition with your friends and family so they can join us in asking Dominion to do the right thing — because the James River should be preserved for everybody.
Thank you,
The James River Team at the National Trust
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Free admission for Military to Colonial Williamsburg for Memorial Day Weekend 2015
Posted on May 21, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Tomorrow through Monday, May 22-25. 2015 — Colonial Williamsburg offers free admission tickets to active duty military, reservists, retirees, veterans, national guardsmen and their immediate dependents.
The “Honoring Service to America” ticket provides admission to Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City, including the daily “Revolution in the Streets” program, the Capitol and the Governor’s Palace, 30 historic trades sites and the military encampment, the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg and Bassett Hall, the Williamsburg home of founder John D. Rockefeller Jr. and his wife, Abby Aldrich Rockefeller. The tickets also include an Orientation Walk, a tour that provides an overview of Colonial Williamsburg and its restoration, free shuttle bus service to and from the Regional Visitor Center, a viewing of the movie, “Williamsburg: the Story of a Patriot,” and free parking at the Visitor Center.
The service member need not be present, and free “Honoring Service to America” tickets will be provided to dependent family members of currently deployed troops with appropriate identification. Military veterans who separated before retirement can bring a copy of their honorable discharge paperwork, form DD 214, as identification of service. These weekend-long admission tickets are available at the Visitor Center.
A Memorial Day commemorative program begins at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25 on the Palace Green. Wreaths will be placed at the Palace, Bruton Parish Church and the French gravesite to honor those interred on or near those sites from the American Revolution, the Civil War and other conflicts. A procession with Fife and Drum support will begin at the Palace and proceed to each site, where prayers will be recited and volleys fired. This service is free and open to the public.
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New homes update from Mr Williamsburg
Posted on May 13, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
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Filed under: New construction, New Homes Williamsburg Virginia, williamsburg va | Leave a comment »
Happenings in Williamsburg VA May 11-17-2015
Posted on May 12, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
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Kingsmill Championship |
Family Fun Fest |
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Runaway String Band |
Williamsburg Womens Chorus 50th Anniversary concert |
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A Chefs Garden Tour & Tasting -Vegetable Variations |
Bridles & Bow Ties |
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Endangered Species Day at the VLM |
Healthy, Wild and Well Day at the VLM |
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Salute to the Military Red, White and Blue 5K |
Art Workshop Water Media, Color, and Pattern with Vera Dickerson |
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Regional Musical Traditions |
Artist Reception Art Wolz at York Hall |
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Choral Evensong |
Yorktown Market Days |
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Gone with the Wind Showing |
Smith and Wade |
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Take Your Kid Mountain Biking |
Stargazing |
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Tyke Hike |
Historic Organ Recital |
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Candlelight Choral Concert |
Candlelight Organ Recital |
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We are Westport-Meet the future residents.
Posted on May 11, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Many of you have asked who is building in Fords Colony’s newest community. We’d like to introduce you to the Weslowskis, who will be moving in within a few months. Look for more Westport Neighbor profiles in the coming months, as sales have been brisk so far this Spring! Stop in to see us at 3420 Westport on weekend afternoons –( From 1-4) the model is now finished, furnished, and looking great! 
Pat Wesolowski is the finance director of a small city outside Chicago. Her husband, Joe, has a woodworking business there. They both grew up in Chicago, and started dating in high school. When Joe joined the Navy Reserves, Pat went to the University of Illinois, and for more than 30 years — most of their married life — they have lived in the Chicago suburbs. So, deciding to leave the Windy City for a brand new community in Williamsburg was not easy. It was, however, pretty exciting.
“Our home in Westport [part of Ford’s Colony] will be one of the first ones completed, and that’s really exciting,” said Pat. “We’ll get to know the people who come in after us. In fact, we’ve already had dinner with the people who bought the lot next to us.”
Pat and Joe’s choice of Westport as their retirement home was years in the making. It began around 2006, when they tired of the long and harsh Illinois winters, and started looking at places with more moderate weather.
“We didn’t want six months of winter anymore, but we still wanted a place that has four seasons,” Pat noted. She and Joe were familiar with Williamsburg from Joe’s one-year stint there with the Navy Reserves, and they liked it.“Williamsburg is a great location for us because it’s near the ocean and close to the mountains,” Pat said. “We love the small town feel of Williamsburg, and that it’s close to the bigger cities of Norfolk and Richmond.”
In a 2008 visit to Williamsburg, the couple stayed in a hotel located within Ford’s Colony. “It was our first exposure to that community,” said Pat. “We decided to pop into the sales office and take a tour of the existing homes and the neighborhood. We kind of fell in love with it.”
They didn’t make any decision then, but came back about six months later to take another look, checking out a new section of Ford’s Colony called Westport. “
There were only dirt roads and no utilities,” she said. “But the lots were marked and we found a beautiful 3.5 acre lot.”
Feeling a Little Leery. Westport home sites run 3.5 to 5 acres, and the community is dominated by preserved green space. Although Joe was gung-ho about living in a neighborhood with such large open spaces, Pat was leery at first. “We’ve been in a small subdivision outside of Chicago for 30 years, and we’ve never lived in a home with so much property,” she explained. However, the more she looked, the more Pat warmed to the idea.
“We fell in love with Westport’s openness and the big lot idea,” Pat said. “We liked that the covenants in Westport protect the wooded areas and limit the amount of lawn space. We will have privacy, but we’ll still be part of a neighborhood.
“ Pat also realized it would be easy to fit into the new community. “Westport will be new for everyone, and that will help to foster relationships,” she noted. “There are so many clubs and amenities that it will be easy to meet other people. Another plus for us is that Ford’s Colony has an HOA that is run by the owners themselves, and we like that owners are very involved with the community.
” Finding a Flexible Builder. The couple bought their lot in 2008-2009, but didn’t initiate the building process until this past year. Since they plan to stay in Chicago until their Westport home is ready, their first requirement was that their builder be comfortable working without a local owner.
“We only considered builders who are used to working long distance,” Pat said. “They know when the owners need to be on the site and when they can communicate by email.”
Their second condition was that the builder allow Joe to do a lot of the woodworking. “Joe wanted to do the wood floors, the kitchen cabinets, and the trim work for the house,” said Pat. “We needed to find a builder who was flexible enough to let him do that.”
The couple chose to work with Tim Contrucci, owner of Blackrock Builders, to create their two-level, 4- bedroom Cape. Construction began this year, and the home is already framed and roughed-in for plumbing and electricity. The Wesolowskis plan to fully retire and move in next spring.
“We’ve never built a home before, just an addition,” said Pat. “But it has all worked out very well. The builder is great, and everyone has made it so easy for us. We have never felt rushed to make a decision, even when we were buying the lot, and that’s a nice feeling.”
Customizing Home Sweet Home. Working with Tim and designer Lisa Sawin, Pat and Joe designed their home to have “a nice-size kitchen,” a separate dining room, and a large butler’s pantry that includes space to keep small kitchen appliances out of sight.
Pat likes to cook, and can see herself doing more of it with her new kitchen space. Meanwhile, Joe is working on the kitchen cabinets. “They will be dark-stained walnut with a traditional styling,” Pat pointed out.
The home will have a first-floor master bedroom suite plus three bedrooms up. It will also have a second floor crafts room built in space that the couple originally planned would be for storage. “I like crafts,” Pat noted. “I used to do scrap booking and sometimes sewing. I’d like to get back into that.”
All told, the house will have about 4,100 square feet of finished space. A bonus room above the garage will be left unfinished for now.
The hardwood flooring will be quarter-sawn white oak, and made by Joe. Joe also will create the wood trims, inside and out. “It won’t be like anyone else’s. It will all be unique,” Pat said. She noted that Joe already has allocated 2 bays of their 3-car garage for woodworking.
The couple plans a deck and screened porch to overlook their small lawn and large, wooded back yard. “Westport requires managing storm water and we’ll have an underground tank for that water,” Pat added. “We are thinking of turning that into some type of water feature, maybe a small stream.”
Looking Ahead to Life in Westport. Pat and Joe aren’t golfers – Ford’s Colony’s championship course does attract many of them — but they do love the outdoors. “We have a boat, and may bring it with us to Westport,” Pat said. “There’s a creek at the back of the neighborhood and I could see Joe kayaking from there to the river.” The creek also offers canoeing and fishing. There is also a four acre parcel destined for future amenities within Westport.
Ford’s Colony also includes pools, tennis courts, walking trails, and picnic areas. All of that will be fun to share with the houseguests the Wesolowskis anticipate. “We expect our Chicago neighbors and friends will visit us, as well as our 27- year-old son and his girlfriend,” Pat said. She and Joe also look forward to seeing close friends who recently moved to Richmond.
Pat knows that it will be bittersweet leaving her longtime home, but she’s enthusiastic about beginning a new life in Ford’s Colony and Westport. “The people there seem to be from many different areas of the country, and I know we’ll get involved with the community,” Pat said, noting the community has a newcomer’s club. “We’ve met a lot of people who live in Ford’s Colony, and they all say we will love it.”
Read more about Fords Colony here
To further explore building a home or purchasing a lot at Westport or elsewhere in the Williamsburg VA, James City County, New Kent County areas contact John@MrWilliamsburg.com or 757 254 8136.
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Read the latest newsletter for Fords Colony…
Posted on May 4, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Are you thinking of a move to Ford’s Colony in Williamsburg VA ? You might want to read the latest newsletter for the neighborhood. The Talk of the Colony published monthly is distributed to
5000 residents, living in over 2400 homes in Fords Colony.
You will find updates from the 54 different club or interest groups, updates from different committees many other helpful articles.
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Click here to find out more about living in Fords Colony
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Chownings Tavern re-opens as Ale House in Colonial Williamsburg
Posted on March 29, 2015 by mrwilliamsburg
Benjamin Franklin once said "Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy." Returning guests to Chowning’s Tavern are going to be very happy indeed. Chowning’s opens for the season today, reimagined as an authentic 18th-century ale house with a new menu, hours and décor.
Alewerks Brewing Company has created three craft beers based upon authentic beer recipes from the 18th century. Old Stitch, Dear Old Mum and a brand new selection are served along with other beers, Virginia wines, cocktails, root beer, soft drinks and other beverages. In the arbor garden behind the tavern, a full-service bar and dining tables overlook Market Square.
The interior of the tavern has also had a makeover. “Thanks to paint research, we know more about the interior finishes of taverns and similar structures. What we’ve found is that interiors were much brighter than we previously thought,” said Matt Webster, director of the Grainger Department of Historic Architectural Preservation. “So, we have repainted the interiors to better represent these findings. Using paint from Benjamin Moore’s WILLIAMSBURG color palette, the ceilings are painted hardwood putty, mimicking whitewash, and the woodwork is now a rich cream called bracken biscuit. The dark finish has been removed from the floor, which has been treated to look as if the boards are unfinished as they would have been, even though they do have a protective coating.”
A display cabinet inside the entrance to the ale house holds archaeological fragments from the excavations of tavern sites throughout the Historic Area.
“Our Historic Trades tinsmiths at the Anderson Armoury site have created tin wall sconces which add to the authentic look of the interior,” said Webster.
Chowning’s now opens daily at 11:30 a.m. and remains open until 11 p.m., with no reservations required. Menu changes include shepherd’s pie and light fare served all day, including pork sliders, flatbreads, corn chowder, trenchers and salads. Favorites such as Welsh rarebit are still found on the menu, as are Chowning’s famous desserts.
“We’re located in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg’s Revolutionary City,” said Seth Farrell, director of Historic Area hospitality operations. “We invite guests to stop in any time all day long, whether for a full meal, a refreshing drink or a dessert. The atmosphere at Chowning’s is informal and welcoming, but the authenticity of the tavern that people have come to love remains intact.”
On April 18, Chowning’s launches a new beer tasting event, “Beers in the ’Burg,” from 4-7 p.m. in the arbor garden. The featured brewer for the event is Alewerks Brewing Company. Guests will taste 10 different beers, including Old Stitch, Dear Old Mum and a third beer Alewerks created exclusively for Colonial Williamsburg. Tickets for the event are $25. For those who want to enhance the experience, light fare to accompany the beer tasting will be available for purchase during the event.
Additional Beers in the ’Burg tastings are tentatively scheduled for May 23, June 20, Aug. 8 and Sept. 19. Tickets are available at all Colonial Williamsburg ticket locations or by calling 855-296-6627 or online at colonialwilliamsburg.com/plan/calendar/beers-burg/
Chowning’s Tavern is located at 109 E. Duke of Gloucester St. in the heart of Colonial Williamsburg’s Historic Area. Free parking is available in the tavern parking lot located on Francis Street just west of Blair Street any time, or after 5 p.m. in the employee parking lot located on Franklin Street just east of Botetourt Street, accessible via Lafayette Street.
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