Happy Birthday USA
This past week, my family and I vacationed in Williamsburg, Virginia. As a history lover, this is one of my favorite spots. It wasn’t extremely crowded for our vacation, but all the sites we visited expect large numbers of visitors to celebrate our 250th Happy Birthday USA.
Since this wasn’t our first trip to the area, we omitted renewed visits to Yorktown and Jamestown. However, Williamsburg beckoned us for a repeat visit. A new experience this trip was the Mariner’s Museum where we learned much more about the two ironclad vessels, the Monitor and the Merrimack (CSA Virginia). These two forerunners to modern battleships clashed during the American Civil War.
One of our highlights was a stop at the Berkeley Plantation,* set on the James River. The three story, Georgian style manor house, built in 1726 survived the Revolutionary War and Union occupation during the Civil War. The first ten presidents of the United States were guests at Berkeley during their lifetimes. Benjamin Harrison V, born at Berkeley, and a lifelong resident, signed the Declaration of Independence.
Picture above and the two below courtesy of Berkeley Plantation
Well…this history loving girl found herself awed by the events which occurred on this now peaceful spot along the James river. Ancient, towering poplar and oak trees still proudly surround the house where Abraham Lincoln met with Union General McClelland, early in the Civil War, as the army camped on the grounds.
The “First” Thanksgiving
In elementary school, we likely learned that the first Thanksgiving occurred with the Plymouth settlers in 1620. Berkeley Plantation disputes that claim. Settlers came ashore at the land grant site of Berkeley in 1619 and immediately praised God for safe travels across the Atlantic and their opportunity to settle in the new land. This, they declare (and have a monument to commemorate), is the site of the first Thanksgiving.
From the Berkeley Plantation website:
Clifford Dowdy noted in his book, The Great Plantation, the men were rowed ashore, placed their personal luggage on the hard ground, gazed at the woods enclosing them and listened to the complete silence.
Then, at a command from Captain Woodlief, with which they were profoundly stirred to comply, the homesick men knelt on the dried grass to pray.As instructed by the London Company, Woodlief prayed: “We ordaine that this day of our ships arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God”.
You see, the Berkeley Company had given a very specific list of ten instructions to the settlers when they departed England. The very first instruction was upon landing that they give a prayer of Thanksgiving for their safe voyage and to do so annually and perpetually thereafter.
America’s first official English speaking Thanksgiving had just occurred, one year and 17 days before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts and almost 2 years before the pilgrims held a 3 day Harvest Feast with their Native American friends, which is commonly thought today to be the first Thanksgiving. (Berkley Plantation Website)
With Thanksgiving
I hope and pray we recognize these first brave travelers and the courageous men and women who worked and sacrificed to form our great nation. AND, for those who continue to cherish and protect cherish our freedom, let us be forever grateful. I pray we, as individuals, can do our part to preserve our country, pray for our leaders, and vote in all elections with wisdom and guidance from our Father.
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, his love endures forever. (1 Chronicles 16:34)
May God bless you, my friends and God bless America! Happy Birthday USA!
*The link offers more lovely pictures and information about Berkeley Plantation.
Ok Katherine, thanks for these beautiful pictures and the historical post. I, also, am a history lover and seeing this area again revived some memories. We lived in Virginia for about two years (a long time ago) and visited Williamsburg, as well as other historical sites from the Civil War. May we never forget our history and always celebrate our freedom. Happy Birthday, America!
I’m glad I encouraged some good memories, Barbara. I believe it’s important to learn from history–honoring those who sacrificed and served while praying we learn from our mistakes so as not to repeat them. Wishing you a happy and blessed July 4. God bless America
I was born in Virginia and visited Williamsburg many times. We can learn a lot from the past. Thank you for sharing the photos. Have a blessed week! 🙂
Williamsburg is not only an important historical site–it’s lovely, too. I’m so thankful for the wisdom and generosity of those who worked to preserve that vital historical site. Thank you for sharing good wishes, Melissa. Happy July 4!
As a native of Hampton (the oldest continuous-speaking English settlement in the U.S.), I enjoyed this post, Katherine. My wife and I frequently drove to Williamsburg when we were dating in high school. Also, I attended Christopher Newport University, the Mariner’s Museum neighbor!
What a great place to date, Tim. We saw Christopher Newport University as we were leaving the Mariner Museum. I’m so glad you shared your connection to the area. I didn’t know that historical fact about Hampton. Thank you!
Williamsburg is in my list of places to see. Thank you for igniting my desire to spend some time there.
Happy Independence Day!
Candyce, I know you’ll enjoy a visit to Williamsburg and the surrounding area. There’s so much to learn and see. Wishing you and your family a safe and Happy Independence Day as well.
Have a wonderful week, Katherine! Blessings,
Thank you for your good wishes, Diana. Happy July 4!
We live not too far away. Looks like a “must see!”
Thanks for highlighting it, and Happy 4th of July!
Williamsburg and the surrounding area are definitely a “must see.” I hope you are able to go soon. It’s a great trip for your entire family! Happy Independence Day, Sylvia and family.
I have visited Williamsburg a couple times and enjoyed learning some of our history there! thanks for your beautiful post, Katherine, and happy 4th of July!
Thank you for your kind encouragement, Kathy. I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. I’m looking forward to your book!
Thanks for sharing. Sounds like a wonderful trip. Happy Independence Day!
Yes, Terri, we had an awesome trip. I love historical sites. Wishing you peace, blessings, and happy Independence Day!
I too was taught about the Plymouth thanksgiving. Thanks for this inspiring bit of history!
Thank you, Debbie. Wishing you and your family a safe and happy Independence Day!
Thanks for taking us along on your wonderful vacation, Katherine! So interesting to hear about the ‘first’ first Thanksgiving. May we always be grateful for our country and continue to keep our leaders and citizens in prayer!
Thank you, Kim, for your kind encouragement. I’m grateful for your prayers for our country. Peace and blessings!
Thank you for the info and history, Katherine. I love history as well. The pictures help make it come alive!
I’m always excited to chat with another history lover, Joni. One more topic we can share at our next writing conference! Wishing you joy and blessings.
When we first moved to Virginia, we spent our first Thanksgiving in Williamsburg. What a memorable experience. Thanks Katherine
You’ve lived in and visited so many exciting places, Yvonne. What joy! Praying you’re back safely from your mission trip. May our gracious Father continue to bless you in His service.