Colonial Williamsburg Kitchen and Garden 12/4/11

By Roy Kelley

Industry Observer with Retired

December 04, 2011 09:17 AM

Colonial Williamsburg Kitchen and Garden

Dolores and I always enjoy visits to Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia. The Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday periods are a wonderful time to visit because all of the decorations are on display. These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving day when many of our thoughts turn to good food. When you tour Williamsburg, take time to visit the kitchens and gardens and added pleasure. These scenes are at the kitchen and gardens of the Benjamin Powell House.

The following information is from the Colonial Williamsburg website:

The Benjamin Powell House

Property acquired by Benjamin Powell in 1763
Operated contracting ("undertaking") business at site for 20 years

Powell built notable Williamsburg landmarks

Benjamin Powell was a carpenter who became a contractor, built a couple of Williamsburg landmarks, and enjoyed the company and counsel of some of 18th-century Williamsburg's leading gentlemen.

He acquired his property at the east end of the city in 1763, and for nearly 20 years pursued from there the career of an "undertaker" – as contractors were called in those days.

Served on committee that enforced embargo on British goods

He "undertook" the repairs of the Public Gaol in 1764, construction of the steeple tower at Bruton Parish Church in 1769, and the erection of the Public Hospital in 1771. In 1774, as the Revolution approached, Powell served with Peyton Randolph, George Wythe, and other men of stature on a committee that enforced an embargo on selected British goods.

Powell sold the property in 1782. About 1814, a small office was built next door for Dr. Robert Waller.

Restored original building site of interpretations of 18th-century family life

The Benjamin Powell House, a restored original building, is now home to lively interpretations of 18th-century children and family life that feature activities from playing with marbles made of clay to learning quill-and-ink penmanship.

Please share photographs from your favorite places in the comments for this post.

Preparing a pheasant to cook at the fireplace.

Onion pies were a favorite in Colonial times.

The kitchen and laundry were in a separate building at the rear of the main residence.

Powell House in Colonial Williamsburg

Photographs by Roy Kelley using a Canon PowerShot G11 camera.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

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Jill Sackler

Charles Rutenberg Realty Inc. 516-575-7500 - Long Beach, NY

LI South Shore Real Estate - Broker Associate

Great local history and beautiful pictures. Onion pie sounds like a nice side to the main meal. This time of year, I can't help but think of great food either.

Dec 04, 2011 01:32 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Keith Gilkey

Re/Max Chesapeake - Elkton, MD

410-920-7214, Re/Max Chesapeake

Roy, So much good history. I would love to be there for dinner, that chick is going to be very gooooood! I never heard of Onion Pie until I saw a post by Richard Weeks here on Active Rain. This is so funny because we are having a roast beef dinner and trying the Onion Pie for the first time today! Can't wait! You and Dolores have a great day!

Dec 04, 2011 02:03 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Kristine Ginsberg

Elite Staging and Redesign, LLC - Short Hills, NJ

NJ Home Stager

Roy - thanks for taking us on a magical tour of Colonial Williamsburg, VA - so interesting to go back in time and see how people once lived. Did you get a new camera? You're photos have never looked better - so clear and professional looking! I enjoyed each and every one, especially the 3rd one down -should be in a magazine advertisement! Have a great weekend!

Dec 04, 2011 02:19 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your comments.

Keith and Jill: We previously posted an onion pie recipe from Colonial Williamsburg. I will share it again here.

Kristine: No new camera. Thanks for your positive feedback.

Onion Pie Recipe From Dolores Kelley

TO MAKE AN ONION PIE

From The 18^th Century Recipe Converted For the 21^st Century Cook

The apples and onions sweeten the potatoes and eggs, and the butter and seasoning tie everything together. A ten-inch springform pie pan works best for this pie with a top crust.

4 -5 small Yukon gold potatoes

2 large Granny Smith Apples

2 medium yellow onions

8 large eggs (You can make it with 4 eggs as well)

3 tsp. Kosher salt

1 tsp. freshly cracked pepper

½ to 1 tsp. ground (or grated) nutmeg

½ to 1 tsp. mace

4 oz. butter

Frozen puff pastry or homemade pie crust.

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

2. Boil and slice the eggs.

3. Pare and slice the potatoes, apples and onions. Slice everything ¼ inch thick. Place the apples and potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent oxidation.

4. Roll out the bottom crust and set it into the pie pan.

5. Mix the salt, pepper, nutmeg and mace together in a single bowl.

6. Drain and dry the apples and potatoes with paper towels

7. Begin the layers from the bottom up with potatoes, then eggs, then apples and then onions. Sprinkle each layer with a little of the seasoning and little bits of butter (You will have a goodly amount of spice mix left over. Store in a jar for later use.)

8. Put a top crust on the pie and crimp the edges. Cut 4 or 5 slashes on the top crust to allow steam to vent out. (You can decorate the top with leaves make from crust or other forms).

9. Bake for 40—55 minutes or until the crust is a nice golden brown.

From Colonial Williamsburg – “History is served“

When you visit Colonial Williamsburg, the kitchen at the Palace is a favorite stop for cooking demonstrations. This is one of the pies that you might see on your visit.

Dolores tested this recipe and it is excellent. The above photograph shows the pie that was baked by Dolores. Looks good and tastes even better.

Dec 04, 2011 02:48 AM

Brian Rugg

Rugg Realty LLC Sun City Texas 512-818-6700 - Georgetown, TX

Sun City TX Real Estate - Georgetown, TX Real Est

Roy - Thanks for stopping by. You always have such artactive photos of flowers I thought I would sahre one with you. flowers from san miguel

Dec 04, 2011 03:03 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Al Raymondi

Ocean View Realty Group in Ormond By The Sea Florida - Ormond Beach, FL

Ormond By The Sea Florida - Home and Condo Sales

Thanks for the great photos and history lesson Roy, have a great Sunday.

Dec 04, 2011 03:12 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Marge Piwowarski

Phoenix AZ Horse Property - Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix AZ Horse Property, LLC

Wonderful historic tour. Makes me ever so grateful that I am living in this time. I LIKE my appliances and techy stuff.

Dec 04, 2011 04:07 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Anita Clark

Coldwell Banker Access Realty ~ 478.960.8055 - Warner Robins, GA

Realtor - Homes for Sale in Warner Robins GA

Roy: I would love to visit Colonial Williamsburg. I imagine it's very charming. Enjoyed today's photos too...you always have a way of making me smile.

Dec 04, 2011 04:52 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Than Maynard

Coldwell Banker Heart of Oklahoma - Purcell, OK

Broker - Licensed to List & Sell - 405-990-8862

The pie looks delicious, but I must admit that onion pie doesn't sound that good.

Dec 04, 2011 06:32 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Yolanda Cordova-Gilbert

Richmond, TX

Roy,

You always share great pictures and recipes. I love to read your blog. You are getting me ready to go see Colonial Williamsburg again! I do want to try the onion pie especially as we are getting some cold weather here yes in Texas 30's are expected for tomorrow night!

Dec 04, 2011 07:05 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Scott Godzyk

Godzyk Real Estate Services - Manchester, NH

One of the Manchester NH's area Leading Agents

Good Afternoon Roy, What a fantastic collection photos, it is so life like as we were back in the 1700's. Thank you for sharing, have a great Sunday

Dec 04, 2011 08:09 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for your positive feedback. Yes, life was very different in the 18th century. This bedroom at the Benjamin Powell House has its own bathroom facilities.

Colonial Williamsburg photograph by Roy Kelley.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 04, 2011 09:14 AM

William Johnson

Retired - La Jolla, CA

Retired

Hi Roy, This photo collections is wonderful. It has been so many years since I have been there and enjoyed seeing these great photos. Brings back a lot of memories

Dec 04, 2011 09:22 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Debbie Laity

Cedaredge Land Company - Cedaredge, CO

Your Real Estate Resource for Delta County, CO

Thanks for sharing these pictures and the recipe. I'm going to have to start a folder just for your recipes. I would love to visit here some holiday season. It's not too far out of reason. I have relatives in Maryland and DC. I'll look you up when we get there.

Dec 04, 2011 09:22 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

David Burrows

Classic Realty - Fairfax, VA

No Pressure, Just Seriously Devoted to Real Estate

I love Colonial Williamsburg. Thanks for sharing your beautiful pictures today.

Dec 04, 2011 09:45 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Michele Cadogan 917-861-9166

Fillmore Real Estate 2990 Av U, Bklyn , NY 11229 - Brooklyn, NY

Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker -

Roy ,

This reminds me of a working farm house that we have here in Brooklyn , The Lefferts Farm house. Even though its only a few minutes from my home I have't visited in a long time. Ill be should really stop by check out their holiday events. Thanks the reminder.

Dec 04, 2011 09:50 AM

Roy Kelley

Gaithersburg, MD

Roy Kelley

Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks so much for your comments. Colonial Williamsburg is always a wonderful place to visit.

Colonial Williamsburg wreath photograph by Roy Kelley.

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs

Dec 04, 2011 10:29 AM

Deborah Byron Leffler BzyBee Real Estate Lady!

Keller Williams Realty Boise - Nampa, ID

Roy....Williamsburg is on my Bucket list of places to visit....I have a high school friend who is living there now....I can't wait to go and visit her! I had to peek in today to see all your pictures!

Dec 04, 2011 10:32 AM