virginia: Holiday Wreath, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia - 12/23/20 11:58 AM
Holiday Wreath, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
 
If you enjoy holiday decorations made with natural materials, you will see many fine examples in Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia. At the time of the Revolution, Williamsburg residents did not use the kind of decorations that we enjoy during our visits.
Colonial Williamsburg was first decorated for Christmas in 1936 and Christmas decorations were popular by 1940.
 
Holiday Wreath, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_1417
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
… (17 comments)

virginia: Holiday Travel Destination, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia - 12/01/20 10:38 AM
Holiday Travel Destination, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
 
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us will not be traveling during the holidays this year. A few years back, Dolores and I spent a week in Colonial Williamsburg for Thanksgiving.  It is one of our favorite places to visit during the holiday season.  The decorations are all made of natural materials and are fun to photograph. 
Visit the Colonial Williamsburg Website to plan your visit. Our experience is that it is best to park at the Visitor Center, where tickets are available, and take a shuttle bus to the desired locations.
Enjoy the holidays and I hope you will include a … (29 comments)

virginia: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia - 08/04/19 10:01 AM
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia
 
When your travels take you to the Richmond, Virginia area, I highly recommend a visit to Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden. Click on the link to visit the website and to plan your visit.
 
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia USA
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley 
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
… (20 comments)

virginia: Touring Colonial Heritage by Lennar, Williamsburg, Virginia - 04/03/19 08:28 AM
Touring Colonial Heritage by Lennar, Williamsburg, Virginia
 
We were invited to visit Colonial Heritage, a Lennar 55+ active adult community in Williamsburg, Virginia and returned home on Tuesday after a four day, three night trip. We stayed in a model home, The Berkeley, which happened to be our favorite model in the community.
The Berkley model includes the sunroom option, the alternate master bath, the three car tandem garage and a finished walkout basement with the optional bedroon or den. They provided a dinner voucher so we could experience the excellent service and food at the community club house dining room. And, they … (20 comments)

virginia: Cotton Picking Time in Smithfield, Virginia - 10/09/18 01:42 PM
Cotton Picking Time in Smithfield, Virginia
 
Virginia photographer Lynn Wilkes posted this photograph in the Virginia Photography Facebook group and gave me permission to share it with you. The Smithfield area is one of the places you may wish to visit when you are touring in Virginia. Click on the link to reach and join this Facebook group.
 
Cotton picking time in Smithfield, Virginia 
Photograph by Lynn Wilkes
… (25 comments)

virginia: Old and New Cape Henry Lighthouses, Virginia Beach, Virginia - 09/23/18 05:48 PM
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virginia: Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond, Virginia - 04/30/18 07:47 AM
Institute for Contemporary Art, Richmond, Virginia
 
The Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond’s first major arts institution dedicated to contemporary art, opened to the public on April 21 with a celebratory block party welcoming more than 7,000 members of the VCU and Greater Richmond communities.
Located at the intersection of Richmond’s Belvidere and Broad streets, the ICA anchors one of the city’s busiest gateways in a building designed by Steven Holl Architects with dual entrances to the city and campus. The ICA is a significant new cultural resource for Richmond, in addition to offering a vital dimension to the research … (17 comments)

virginia: The Answer Brewpub, Richmond, Virginia - 08/17/17 08:50 AM
The Answer Brewpub, Richmond, Virginia
 
Dolores and I were in Richmond, Virginia for one of our regular visits to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, a must visit destination when you are in the area. After a late lunch at the museum, we decided to visit The Answer Brewpub to sample their beers. This was our first visit to this pub and we enjoyed a flight of their beers. Click on the link to visit the website.
Our favorite was The Answer Nicholas Standlick (Andall), American Barleywine, bourbon barrel aged dark barleywine with coffee beans, hazelnuts and toasted coconut. 11% Alc. by Vol. We … (17 comments)

virginia: Beer Tasting at The St. George Brewing Company in Hampton, Virginia - 07/03/17 01:06 PM
Beer Tasting at The St. George Brewing Company in Hampton, Virginia
 
Chef Dolores and I visited The St. George Brewing Company in Hampton, Virginia to sample their beers. We purchased the Porter, based on a traditional English style porter to take home. If you like porters, this is one that you should try. Drink responsibly. 5% Alc. by Vol. Click on the link to reach the website.
 
 
 
Dandelion Seed Head, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland USA IMG 8562
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley 
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
… (9 comments)

virginia: Some Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia - 05/04/17 07:02 AM
Some Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia
 
In a previous blog, I posted a photograph of my great grandmother, Margaretta "Maggie" Jamesson Macrae (1846-1929). Maggie grew up at Mount Gilead (c.1785) in Centreville, Virginia.  Mount Gilead became the home of the Malcolm Jamesson family in 1837. Mr. Jamesson operated a tannery nearby. Mount Gilead remained in the hands of Jamesson family members until the 1930s.
It is believed that during the Civil War, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, Commander of the Department of Northern Virginia, resided at Mount Gilead. His operational headquarters were nearby, at Four Chimney House (it stood near where Wiloughby Newton Drive is today). Almost 40,000 … (8 comments)

virginia: Baker's Crust Artisan Kitchen, Williamsburg, Virginia - 12/03/16 06:21 AM
Baker's Crust Artisan Kitchen, Williamsburg, Virginia
 
Before leaving Williamsburg, Virginia to drive home to Maryland, we stopped at Baker's Crust Artisan Kitchen to pick up a couple of loaves of their specialty bread. Baker's Crust has six locations in Virginia and you may wish to visit them for a meal or to shop in their bakery section. The carrot cake looked wonderful but we resisted the temptation. Click on the link to learn more about these restaurants and their farm in Suffolk, Virginia.
The Williamsburg location address is 5234 Monticello Avenue, next to the Long and Foster real estate office. You may be … (9 comments)

virginia: Visiting the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia - 11/26/16 12:20 PM
Visiting the Chrysler Museum of Art, Norfolk, Virginia
 
Dolores and I always enjoy our visits to the Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk, Virginia. This is an outstanding museum and is especially noted for the glass collection and very active glass studio. We have taken tours sponsored by the museum including one to Russia. Click on the link to view the website.
We have scheduled our next visit and will have lunch at the museum with Dolores' brother Fred Bayersdorfer and John Wills. Fred recently retired from Old Dominion University where he taught for many years. John is now retired from Verizon.
When we an office … (22 comments)

virginia: Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia - 06/23/16 09:29 PM
Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia
 
In a another blog, I posted a photograph of my great grandmother, Margaretta "Maggie" Jamesson Macrae (1846-1929). Maggie grew up at Mount Gilead (c.1785) in Centreville, Virginia.  Mount Gilead became the home of the Malcolm Jamesson family in 1837. Mr. Jamesson operated a tannery nearby. Mount GIlead remained in the hands of Jamesson family members until the 1930s.
It is believed that during the Civil War, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, Commander of the Department of Northern Virginia, resided at Mount Gilead. His operational headquarters were nearby, at Four Chimney House (it stood near where Wiloughby Newton Drive is today). Almost 40,000 … (17 comments)

virginia: Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia - 07/05/15 11:32 AM
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Richmond, Virginia
 
When Dolores and I visit Colonial Williamsburg, we like to stop on the way home at one of our favorite travel destinations, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond, Virginia.  We are annual members and try to go there several times each year.
The gardens are beautiful and are a wonderful place to photograph flowers. During the summer months, the special exhibit in the Conservatory is Butterfiles Live!  This indoor exhibit allows visitors to get up close to hundreds of tropical butterflies and explore their origins, preferred habitats and lifecycles. 
You know that I enjoy good food and we recommend the Garden Café for lunch … (28 comments)

virginia: Discovering Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia - 05/24/15 05:26 AM
Discovering Family History: Mount Gilead, Centreville, Virginia
 
In a previous blog, I posted a photograph of my great grandmother, Margaretta "Maggie" Jamesson Macrae (1846-1929). Maggie grew up at Mount Gilead (c.1785) in Centreville, Virginia.  Mount Gilead became the home of the Malcolm Jamesson family in 1837. Mr. Jamesson operated a tannery nearby. Mount GIlead remained in the hands of Jamesson family members until the 1930s.
It is believed that during the Civil War, Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston, Commander of the Department of Northern Virginia, resided at Mount Gilead. His operational headquarters were nearby, at Four Chimney House (it stood near where Wiloughby Newton Drive is today). Almost … (12 comments)

virginia: Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia - 02/12/14 03:29 AM
Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
 
Colonial Williamsburg is one of our favorite travel destinations. If you also enjoy that area, there are two Facebook groups that I recommend to you. I post photographs in both of these groups.
Colonial Williamsburg Friends
Colonial Williamsburg Lovers
You will also find 9 Colonial Williamsburg albums in my personal Roy Kelley Facebook Albums.
When did you last visit Colonial Williamsburg?
 

 Capitol, Colonial Williamsburg IMG_2945
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs
… (12 comments)

virginia: Freedom Park, Williamsburg, Virginia - 11/24/13 04:28 AM
Freedom Park, Williamsburg, Virginia
 
Colonial Williamsburg is one of our favorite travel destinations. We like to explore the historical buildings and the gardens. When you visit a destination many times you discover some things that may be missed by many visitors.
Freedom Park is near the Colonial Williamsburg area but is not one of the regular destinations for most tourists. If you visit the area when flowers are blooming, be sure to include Freedom Park on your list of places to explore. The park is great for hiking at any time of the year.
 

Colonial Williamsburg, Gardens IMG_0874
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virginia: Charlton's Coffee House, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia - 12/24/12 08:05 AM
Charlton's Coffee House, Colonial Williamsburg, Virginia
 
Charlton's Coffee House was constructed as a store and residence in 1750.  The building was converted to a coffee house and operated by Richard Charlton in the mid 1760's.  In October, 1765, the coffee house was the scene of resistance to the British Parliament's Stamp Act.
Reconstruction of the coffee house took place in 2008 and 2009 with the financial support of Forrest and Deborah Mars.
Charlton's Coffee House is always fun to visit and Dolores and I have been there several times.  We like their hot chocolate.
Enjoy the holidays.  It is a … (21 comments)

virginia: Colors of Autumn in Colonial Williamsburg 12/19/11 - 12/19/11 12:30 PM
Colors of Autumn in Colonial Williamsburg
The holiday decorations in Colonial Williamsburg will always get your attention. They are are made from natural materials and follow traditional designs of the 18th century. Preparing the decorations is an all year long effort and they are refreshed daily between Thanksgiving and New Year's.
More dried arrangements are used in locations with lots of sun and fresh materials are used more on the shady sides of the streets. Squirrels and birds are alert for the new materials. 
Please share photographs from your favorite locations in the comments for this post. 
Best wishes to all … (15 comments)

virginia: Image of the past in Richmond, Virginia - Virginia House - 07/24/11 11:14 AM
Image of the past in Richmond, Virginia - Virginia House
This is Virginia House, one of the historic old homes in Richmond, VA.  You will see this home as you approach Agecroft Hall & Gardens which will be one of your destinations when touring the Richmond attractions.
Information from the Virginia Historical Society:
Virginia House was completed a few months before the stock market crash of 1929. Alexander and Virginia Weddell's home, situated on a hillside overlooking the historic James River in Richmond, Virginia, was constructed from the materials of a sixteenth century English manor house. Although Virginia House was a blend … (10 comments)

 


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