Members of the NRV Historical Costume Society had a great time touring Colonial Williamsburg and attending the George Washington Ball hosted by the Williamsburg Heritage Dancers on March 2nd.
After a full day and night of being in costume and wearing less-than-ideal footwear that led to aches and blisters the previous day, we decided to don our comfy sneakers and weekend pants. We also decided tour the Jamestown Settlement before journeying home.
Chelsea Hutter, organizer and founder of the NRV Historical Costume Society, and I share our love for Disney’s Animated film, Pocahontas. I strapped on my small Meeko purse and was ready to see the living history site.
Upon securing our tickets, which were stickers upon our comfy outer layers, we quickly went to the docks to explore two of the three ships, Discovery and Susan Constant. (Godspeed was dry-docked for repair.)
Chelsea and I explored the ships as if we were children. The thirteen-year-old me would have loved to be here. Pocahontas was released in the summer of 1995 just before my thirteenth birthday. Guess what the theme was?
In my playful mood, I pointed to the lower deck filled with barrels of cargo.
I asked the interpreter, dressed as a ship mate “Is that where they keep all the rum?”
He said with a straight face, “No.”
“Why is the rum always gone?” Chelsea asked using her best impersonation of the Captain Jack Sparrow drawl.
The shipmate explained the journey of Susan Constant predates the trade of sugar cane in America from which Rum is made. Yes, I was 40 years old when I learned Rum comes from molasses, a byproduct of refining sugar cane.
In the captain’s quarters were navigational tools, such as a large compass and hourglass. As I enthusiastically tested these.
Chelsea remarked, “We are acting more childlike than all the kids here.”
Then, we giggled like little girls some more. All the while, our other member Cynthia, was taking in the history in a more mature, refined manner.
We walked through the settlement town and the Native American village. Chelsea tried on some 15th-century armor, and we watched an interpreter fire a musket. Overall, it was good fun.
If you are interested in experiences like these, please join us. The Historical Costume Society is open to people of all ages.
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Susan Constant, the largest ship in the Jamestown Settlement, was also featured in Disney’s Pocahontas.
Chelsea Hutter, organizer and founder of the NRV Historical Costume Society, taps into her seafaring spirit.
A shipmate interpreter teaches about sailing aboard Discovery.