Huzzah! Williamsburg's Duke of Gloucester Street was designated one of 2009 Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association! To mark the occasion, a brief ceremony was held in front of the Kimball Theater with speeches by CW President Colin Campbell, Mayor Jeanne Zeidler, Robert Hunter of the APA, and W&M President Taylor Reveley.
The street's beginning dates back hundreds of years, starting as an Indian trace, and later developing into a horse path in the 17th Century. In 1704, Governor Francis Nicholson had several buildings torn down to make way for the current configuration.
The arrow-straight street runs nearly a mile from the campus of William and Mary, through the Merchant's Square shopping area, down to the reconstructed capitol building. And though most of the street runs through Williamsburg's historic area, it is owned by the city and open to the public. During the day and early evening, the street is blocked from traffic by movable barricades, allowing for a wide range of activities including parades and fireworks, horse-drawn carriages, a farmers' market, shopping, jogging and biking.
In honor of the award, I made the video above. But I didn't realize saying "Colonial Williamsburg" over and over again would be such a tongue twister.
6 comments:
It is always a lovely place to take a stroll.
It certainly is!
It sounds like a wonderful place to live. Any street where the majority of homes have gardens would be my kind of street indeed.
What a fabulous video of the sights, the sounds, the smells, the tastes and a bit of the humor of an enchanted street. Well done and many thanks.
GCV - glad you enjoyed it. Thanks!
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