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On Location: A Blast from the Past in Colonial Williamsburg
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Brooklyn-based Tara Donne—who spent time as a child in Colonial Williamsburg—revisits the town for a photo shoot
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BY TARA DONNE
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| A salad at the Fat Canary restaurant; Colonial Williamsburg tulip garden; a footbath at the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg. |
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FROM ONE WILLIAMSBURG TO ANOTHER
When I was a kid, my Aunt Gayle worked as a master silversmith in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. Every few years my family would hitch the pop-up camper to the Jeep and drive down from Connecticut to stay at a campground near the historic area. It was a long car trip, but my stepsister and I were lured by the promise of Gayle’s flower-patterned silver cuff bracelets—and the roller coasters at nearby Busch Gardens.
Last spring, I set off with my assistant, Kyle, on an eight-hour road trip from the other Williamsburg—in Brooklyn. My old Def Leppard cassettes had been replaced by Kyle’s well-curated iPod, and I was looking forward to seeing Colonial Williamsburg from an adult perspective.
Finding that I-95 is a plethora of Starbucks and McDonald’s, we took a dinner detour off the main route just before Richmond, VA. Thank you, iPhone, for guiding us to the historic Hanover Tavern & Pub (13181 Hanover Courthouse Rd., Hanover; 804-537-5050; dinner for two, $60*). The 200-year-old landmark’s roaring fireplace, grilled pork chop with cabbage and mashed sweet potatoes, and house red were the perfect match to the damp spring night.
DAY ONE
The following morning, Kyle and I set out to photograph the historic area’s gardens, accompanied by the interpreters who had agreed to be our models. These friendly folk both amused and impressed us with their amazing ability to stay in character. Imagine going to work every day in costume and only speaking an early settler’s English! After instructing the interpreters how to pose for a magazine cover (“Okay, walk across the lawn again. One more time, but lift your chin up a bit. Okay, I lied, one more time . . .”), we moved on to our next task, procuring a ladder from which to photograph the manicured tulip beds. A gardener found us a 12-footer in the tool shed. Perfect! I framed up, but the light was too contrasty. We decided to walk around and shoot some flower details in shade while awaiting the end-of-day glow. When we circled back, our ladder had disappeared. Only 15 minutes remained before it would be too dark to shoot without a tripod. Kyle dashed off and made it back—ladder in tow—in just enough time for me to climb up and grab a few shots. Close call.
DAY TWO
The next day was spent at the Jamestown Settlement, a personal favorite. We learned how the Native Americans made canoes, by burning out trees and then carving them with oyster shells. Then we shot and feasted on a lunch of plump York River oysters at Berret’s Seafood Restaurant (199 S. Boundary St.; 757-253-1847; lunch for two, $30). At day’s end we were shooting (and eating) asparagus, prosciutto, and lobster salad on the patio of the Fat Canary (410 W. Duke of Gloucester St., Williamsburg; 757-229-3333; dinner for two, $90) as a Navy band played a concert in Merchant’s Square.
DAY THREE
This morning, at the Spa of Colonial Williamsburg, I found myself envying our model during her aromatic footbath and massage (800-688-6479; history.org/visit/spa). I tried to figure out how to squeeze in a spa treatment for myself, but to no avail. There’s just too much to do during a photo shoot! We drove to Yorktown to see the tall ships, and then back to the historic area to capture a reading of the Declaration of Independence. After another meal at the Fat Canary (this time, ginger barbecued ribs with marinated cucumber salad and an Argentine cabernet), I ended the evening in my hotel tub, watching Parenthood from my laptop perched on the toilet seat. Not quite the same as a spa treatment—but such is the "glamorous" life of a travel photographer.
BEST OF THE BEST
After all the years away, I really came to appreciate what Williamsburg has to offer. Here’s my list of top places: Aromas for morning cappuccino (431 Prince George St.; 757-221-6676); the College of William and Mary Bookstore for cozy namesake sweatshirts (345 W. Duke of Gloucester St.; 757-253-4900); Wythe Candy for mason jars full of gumballs and every other treat imaginable (414 W. Duke of Gloucester St.; 757-229-4406); and Historic Area shops such as Tarpley’s Store for the ever-addictive wooden cup and ball game and the Golden Ball for sterling jewelry created by Colonial Williamsburg’s silversmith (both at 427 Franklin St.; 757-229-1000). And, of course, the Fat Canary for the best menu and wine list in town.
*Prices cover a three-course meal for two,
not including drinks, tax or tip.
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
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Published: February 8, 2011
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Photos: Tara Donne(3)
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