During grade school, I was aided and abetted by Erik, my oldest, who took a liking to Williamsburg. Taking advantage of off-season rates, and/or new hotels and time shares trying to drum up business, we took several vacations there. The boys tried their hands at carving with a draw knife, making butter, tanning leather and a myriad of other colonial skills. They “spoke” with Patrick Henry, fought with the revolutionaries, and presided over the local court. We also took side trips to Jamestown and Yorktown while in the area—giving them an overview of history from 1600 to 1781.