Showing posts with label Living museum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Living museum. Show all posts

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Kalmar Nyckel, What Happened To Their Visit In Yorktown?


On Friday evening, June 6th, we posted a story about how the Kalmar Nyckel was supposed to be visiting Yorktown for the weekend.  Well, it turns out that due to circumstances beyond the control of Captain Morgan and the crew, the ship was in dry dock awaiting inspection after a good deal of work was completed on the ship, making sure the ship was once again ready for it's summer voyages.

  Thanks to the US Coast Guard who stepped up and made a late Friday evening visit to conduct that inspection, the Kalmar Nyckel was finally released back the the waters to sail down to Yorktown, Virginia.  The bad news is that they were already scheduled to be here by Friday evening for Saturday and Sunday open deck tours and evening sailing cruises.  We waited to go see the ship on Sunday and left Gloucester at about 12:00 PM in  order to make the free deck tour before shut down at 1:00.  We learned at about 12:30 from the folks who are part of the dock crew in Yorktown about his delay.  As we were being told about the delay and that no one knew when they would be coming in, we saw what we thought was the ship coming in.  Picking up our cameras we were able to confirm that is was in fact the Kalmar Nyckel on it's way.  It finally arrived at about 1:30 PM on Sunday.


We took this photo at about 1:00 PM that showed it was the ship in question.  The zoom in was at 500 power or 80x optical.  So yeah, that is an incredible distance.   The reason why the picture seems grey.  So no deck tours were available but they did manage to get out one evening cruise that departed at 4:00 PM as scheduled.  They had to leave soon afterward to go to their next destination.  The crew was not happy about not being able to stay and see everyone who came out, but they at least were able to come in for awhile.

  It's been several years since the Kalmar Nyckel has been in the area.  Let's hope for a full weekend next year.


One of the most notable differences this year is the updated paint job on the back end of the ship.  This is a very fresh look.


The back of the above picture is harder to see than the other one.  This picture was taken a few years ago or the last time the Kalmar Nyckel was in the area.  If you look at the fish, you can see that they are different colors and also Nemo's shroud is now painted where it wasn't before.

All pictures here shot and provided by C Thompson of TTC Media and are under copyright protection.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Yorktown Victory Center, Construction Views, (Part 3)




We received some of the inside construction pictures to allow everyone to see what is presently going on at the Yorktown Victory Center and how the new museum is progressing.  Pictures are courtesy of the Jamestown/Yorktown Foundation.  The above picture is of the finishing of the center basement slab of the upcoming American Revolution Museum.


This picture is the south elevation.


Here we have the installation of the basement concrete masonry looking west.  Starts to put the entire project into perspective as to just how big this museum is going to be.


Here is the foundations of the north elevations.  This is the section closest to the entrance into the present living museum.  

  The Yorktown Victory Center is open everyday with the exception of Christmas Day.  Yes they will be open for Thanksgiving and have a very special day planned for Thanksgiving where they will be demonstrating the collection of food from the farm and food preparations of the period.  

  Average length of a tour is about 2 and half hours.  Now of course that is just an average and is dependent on one's level of interest.  A history buff could spend and entire day here and still want more.  The indoor museum which we are not able to show pictures of, because indoor photography is not permitted, could easily take up half your day.  But allow us to clue you in.  If you have ever been to Disney, the level of displays are easily comparable.  It's the best of both worlds.  Living history and traditional museum history and an incredible movie theater showing even more.

  It's a great way to step back in time and immerse yourself into the 18th century period.  To see what our forefathers fought for and why.  What the struggles of life were really like.  Put your cell phone away while you are here.  You do not want modern distractions to spoil the experience.  

  Yorktown offers incredible history and it is found throughout a number of streets in the historic area.  But the best is found right here at the Yorktown Victory Center, soon to be the American Revolution Museum at Yorktown.  

  Oh and let's not forget what we are expecting of the new structure.  It's going to be an 80,000 square foot super center to be considered a nationally recognized facility with classrooms and event space.  Plus the farm and encampment areas will be expanded and an amphitheater will be added to the mix.

   Even though we are still a while away from the new American Revolution museum being completed, it's an amazing journey through time exploring the Yorktown Victory Center.  Put a trip through this place on your calendar as soon as you can.  You will be glad you did.  
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Friday, November 8, 2013

Yorktown Victory Center Continental Army Encampment (Part 2)


























Earlier this week we had the privilege of touring the Yorktown Victory Center and it's various areas of living history.  Today we are going to cover the Continental Army Encampment.  Again, a super job of recreating an historical view of what life was like during the American Revolution has been extremely well done and again, this one area alone is worth the visit for anyone seeking to further their knowledge of American History.

  One section of the encampment focuses on military operations and demonstrations of firing both muskets and canons are done throughout the day.


An interpreter, well versed in history, explains every step of preparing to fire a musket in a military lineup.  He goes through all the steps and fires the musket into an area free from any form of endangerment to any humans or species.  Once done, he further explains the steps for reloading and demonstrates the process until he once again fires a second shot.


Pictured above is part of a table of tools and weapons used during the period.

Multiple canons are on display and yes one of them does actually get fired.

There are a number of muskets on display and if you have never had the opportunity to hold one in your hands, you get a chance to do so here at the encampment.  Again, this is a living museum and many areas are hands on.  How often do you get such a grand opportunity?

There are numerous tents that you can go into and explore what life was like inside one of these.

Attention to detail is never lacking.  There are surprises around each corner and if you have your camera ready, you have some great opportunities to take advantage of.

An entire area has been dedicated to what cooking for the troops was like and even includes the supply shed.

Foods and their preparations are fully demonstrated.  The above is only a very small sampling of what you will see.

Pictured here is the troops laundry area and costs for having someone wash your cloths for you based on the money used during that period.

There is also the encampments doctor with all his tools and medicines used during the time and he covers their uses in full detail.  Sure we have pictures, but the objective is to get you to pay a visit and see everything for yourself and start your own educational process.  While we seek to educate as many people about our nation's history, we have found that taking a hands on approach gives a more true appreciation for such.  With that said, this is why we are promoting area museums and sites and will continue to do so.  It's a combined effort to bring our nations history to as many people as possible for a greater appreciate of what this country really is and can once again be.


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