During the last part of our stay in Williamsburg, VA, we visited Yorktown Battlefield and Yorktown Victory Center. We also took a day trip into Norfolk to visit the Battleship Wisconsin and Nauticus Museum.
In 1781, George Washington, along with allied American and French forces, led the battle in Yorktown to victory over the British. General Charles Lord Cornwallis surrendered his army on October 19, thus ending the Revolutionary War. The United States was now independent!
We spent the morning helping the boys work on their junior ranger books while we explored the battlefields and the monument.
This is known as Surrender Field, where the British army came to lay down their arms and surrender to the colonists....
After we left the Yorktown battlefields, we drove to Yorktown Victory Center to learn more about what it may have been like to live as a soldier during the Revolutionary War. There was an indoor museum, and an outdoor recreation of a Continental army camp complete with tents, weapons, and costumed historical interpreters. We all especially enjoyed the cannon and musket demonstrations!
During the cannon demonstration, they asked for volunteers and both Nate and Caleb were chosen! They were SO excited! Each child had a special duty to perform, with the help of a soldier, of course.
Stand at attention soldiers!!
Nate brought the primer over for the cannon, bit off the paper and helped pour it in!
Caleb's duty was to help light the cannon. (This was just for demonstration...he didn't actually light it.)
Caleb did a few victory jumps of excitement after he was done. The crowd all giggled at his cute enthusiasm!
Then, after the children left the demo area, we all watched (with covered ears) as the cannon was shot off! It was VERY loud! So cool though!
After the cannon demonstration, we explored the camp...
I think this colonial men's shirt is just a little bit too big for Joshua:)
Before we left Williamsburg, we did take a day trip to Norfolk. We enjoyed exploring the Nauticus Museum and the Battleship Wisconsin. Admission to both was free with our national museum pass! YAY!
There were lots of fun hands on exhibits...
One exhibit showed what a ship kitchen looked like, including the large pots, pans, bowls and utensils! This size pot could probably work for when I have four teenage boys in the house one day, right?!?!
We even had the chance to pet baby sharks!!
I can't believe I actually stuck my hand in there, but I did! I figured they wouldn't let us touch the sharks if it was too dangerous:)
My handsome and hilarious Navy men...
After we explored the indoor museum, we headed outside to walk around the Battleship Wisconsin...
It always makes us proud when we learn more about the history of the dedicated men and women who serve to protect our country. A huge thank you to all of you who served or are still serving in our United States military!
Blessings to you and yours,
Jill and the boys:)
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