Public Gaol
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"Come see the jailhouse!!"
The Public Gaol is basically a colonial jailhouse. When we visited Williamsburg this past August, my kids (ages 10, 8 and 4) thought this was one of the coolest places that they got to see. A guide was available to show us around the site and tell us about the history of the jailhouse, some famous occupants and explain how miserable it must have been to stay there. This was interesting to the adults, but a tad hard for the kids to grasp. Plus the guide didn't seem that kid-friendly and we therefore had to really work to keep our kids quiet and still.
After the talk, we were able to walk thru the main building and then she took us across the grounds to the actual jail. We were then able to go into the cells and see just what it was like. They were very primitive wooden cells, and one even had a colonial version of a toilet. You could close the door and the kids peeked out thru the barred window. Makes for a pretty cool picture.
All in all I think this place is a bit better for the older kids, and I recommend the actual jail cells as a must see. Interesting and fun in a truly historical setting. It's a neat combination.
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"Fun with the Family"
For a look at another aspect of Williamsburg society, visit these small dark cells with their shackles and leg irons that once held pirates, runaway slaves, Indians, debtors, and the mentally ill. “Family Life at the Public Gaol” tells you about the lives of the gaoler and his family.
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