Colonial Williamsburg is a restored town of living history from the 17th century through the 19th century, recreating the architecture and lifestyle of colonial America in the town that served as the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia for almost 100 years leading up to the Revolutionary War. Williamsburg was founded in 1632 on the high ground between both the James River along which Jamestown is located, and the York River, along which Yorktown is located, each of which are themselves of very high historical importance. But it is this particular location of Williamsburg that allowed it to escape the ravages of war and the modernization of the United States, and continue on with the appearance and feel of an authentic town during the era of the thirteen colonies. It is now a National Historic Landmark District, employed with actors who wear colonial period clothing and speak in the dialect of the era, adding to the atmosphere of the site. African-Americans, both enslaved and freed, were also a large part of the history of Colonial Williamsburg. However, regardless of their status, their marriages were not legally recognized and often not allowed by slave owners. Nonetheless, African-Americans found ways to hold wedding ceremonies. An often used tradition was that of Jumping the Broom, which may have developed in West Africa or perhaps in Wales where other oppressed people were also not allowed to marry. Either way, the tradition was popular amongst colonial African-Americans. Once a couple exchanged their vows, they vigorously jumped over a broom to seal their union. One day, while the Wild Images Team was exploring Colonial Williamsburg, a couple of actors met in the streets to discuss plans of marriage. At this point, they invited everyone around to attend their secret Jumping the Broom wedding ceremony. This image was captured at the moment that the happy couple landed on the other side of the broom, officially completing their marriage. The Wild Images Team has captured many other images in Colonial Williamsburg such as the wispy clouds over ornate Front Gates of the Governor’s Palace and a night time view of Josiah Chowning’s Tavern with waitstaff, each of which are available for sale in our store. Colonial Williamsburg blog posts have documented where dianthus barbatus also known as Sweet William grows in the Governor’s Palace Gardens, the day our Travel Gnome jumped the Governor’s Palace wall, was quickly taken into custody by a guard, and sentenced to serve time in the stockade, to which The Wild Images Team was also sentenced thanks to our Travel Gnome, and during a freer time the moment that a couple is married in a jumping the broom ceremony.In the nearby Historic District of Charleston, South Carolina, the Wild Images Team has captured many other images including the colorful walkway with lights through humidity, a photo of the ornate house through trees branches, and in the bay where the Schooner named Pride sailed through, each of which are available for sale in our store. Charleston blog posts have documented when The Wild Images Team sought refuge from a historic downpour, which subsequently flooded the Charleston streets, that led to the stranding of our Coordinator Christina, photographed on a humid night as Christina poses in the steamy view, and then on a drier day as Christina rides the ferry to Fort Sumter, which formed these reflective wake trails towards the fort, the Battery District where ornamental balustrades line the street along East Battery, a late night view through the back gate of a house in the Battery District, and then an image of decorative folk art in a courtyard. In the somewhat nearby North Carolina, The Wild Images Team has captured photos such as the Cape Lookout Island scenic backdoor view of the lightkeepers house which is available for sale in our store. Blog posts from North Carolina include the standard vegetation as Cape Lookout Lighthouse is framed by pine trees. In the somewhat nearby Historic District of Savannah, Georgia, The Wild Images Team has captured images including the haunting photo of houses of Calhoun Square through Spanish moss, this view of an ornate house from Lafayette Square, and the mystical aura surrounding the Forsyth Fountain in Forsyth Park, each of which are available for sale in our store. Savannah blog posts have documented as a boat is dwarfed by the massive Hapag-Lloyd Budapest Express, an evening view of the Savannah River terminals and the Talmadge Memorial Bridge, the amazing story of the Florence Martus Waving Girl Statue, the very detailed National Maritime Day Monument and a photo of its associated Propeller Club Dedication plaque, the perfectly framed view of the William Jasper Monument, the very functional historic armillary sphere of Troup Square, a lucky shot of a ghostly woman in a green dress standing in the doorway, an image of the geometric spiral patterns that fill a stairwell, and The Wild Images Team Travel Gnome catching some rays and then doing the backstroke in the rooftop pool.
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