Colonial „ America’s only 18th-century coffeehouse now open Start the new year with a visit to Colonial Williamsburg’s R. Charlton’s Coffeehouse, the Historic Area’s newest exhibition building. The reconstruction provides an exciting new venue for Historic Area programming as a principal site for scenes from The Revolutionary City® and special event performances. R. Charlton’s Coffeehouse is built on its original foundations with 18th-century construction techniques. The site in the Historic Area reflects its 18th-century role as a gathering place for the politically connected as well as for the socially ambitious. In the 1760s, Richard Charlton, kinsman of a Williamsburg wigmaker, followed the example of numerous London counterparts and opened his coffeehouse adjacent to the Capitol. There he likely served China tea imported from England, West Indian coffee, chocolate from the Caribbean rim and high-style cuisine, placing his establishment a cut above the collection of gentry taverns in the immediate vicinity. The finished reconstruction appears as close to the original structure as historical, archaeological and architectural evidence permits. The one-and-a-half-story framed portion of the building is constructed of hand-sawn timber framing covered with cypress weatherboards and white cedar roof shingles. A central brick chimney allows two of the three first floor rooms to have functional fireplaces. Coffeehouse furnishings include carefully researched Colonial Williamsburg re-creates the 1765 hotbed of political, reproduction furniture, ceramics, glassware, hardware and business and social activity adjacent to the colonial Capitol. other items representing the variety of activities that took place there. Reproduction maps, prints, advertisements and broadsides adorn the walls and period newspapers in the main rooms will contribute to the ambience. Hand-printed wallpapers cover the walls of the well-appointed private meeting room and the north room, both based on microscopic study of original building fragments. Guests entering R. Charlton’s Coffeehouse tour in small groups and learn the significance of his establishment before concluding the experience with the opportunity to enjoy a sample tasting of period coffeehouse beverages – coffee, tea or chocolate. Any Colonial Williamsburg admission ticket provides entry. For more information, visit us on the Internet at www.history.org
Take a Taste of the 18th Century Home The American Heritage R. Charlton’s Blend is available for purchase by the cup and 12-ounce bags at the Raleigh Tavern Bakery. American Heritage chocolate products also are available.
GREENHOW LUMBER HOUSE 8:45 a.m. to 9 p.m. Daily
MERCHANTS SQUARE TICKET OFFICE 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily
VISITOR CENTER
8:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Daily
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG HOTELS Williamsburg Inn Colonial Houses – Historic Lodging Williamsburg Lodge Williamsburg Woodlands Hotel & Suites
FOR DINING RESERVATIONS OR INFORMATION, CALL 1-800 HISTORY
DINING Golden Horseshoe Gold Course Grill Shields Tavern Kimball Theatre Williamsburg Lodge Restaurant For more information on tickets, lodging and dining, please call 1-800-HISTORY.
Guests can sample small servings of coffee, chocolate or tea in the Coffee Room in R. Charlton’s Coffeehouse. WWW.WILLIAMSBURGMAG.COM
TICKETS
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WILLIAMSBURG MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2010