Coffeehouses have been around for several hundred years here in the States. One of my favorite things to do when visiting Colonial Williamsburg, is to drop into Charlton's Coffee House for a spot of coffee and sometimes hot chocolate.
Located just steps from the colonial Capitol, Charlton's was a favorite gathering place for politicians and fostered many a lively discussion of issues of the day. Our present day coffee shops operate much the same way, though maybe not so much for politicians, but for friends and neighbors.
On my Grand Illumination visit to Williamsburg in early December, I sampled the perfect cup of coffee with friends at Charlton's. Unfortunately, this isn't a place to kick back, prop your feet up on a coffee table, and enjoy a refill. Charlton's serves as an interpretive space that allows visitors to learn more about the role of coffeehouses in the colonial period.
A short walk down Duke of Gloucester Street will bring you to a new trade recently opened . . . the Tinsmith's Shop. While there, you may chat with the tinsmith and see many of the items that would have been made in the 1700's. While listening to him discuss the items on his workbench, I spied a beautiful hand-crafted tin coffeepot sitting on the hearth in front of the fire.
On this cold February morning here in North Carolina, it's the perfect opportunity for a second cup of coffee as I think back to colonial times and look ahead to warmer days of camping in The Coffee Cup. Thanks for dropping by as we make our way through these long days of winter. Stay warm and always remember . . .
"Camping and Coffee . . . Life Is Good"
