Larry Case: Colonial Williamsburg shows us what history used to be

Members of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums march prior to the carriage procession of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip  historic Colonial Williamsburg, Va.Thursday, May 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
Members of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums march prior to the carriage procession of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip historic Colonial Williamsburg, Va.Thursday, May 3, 2007. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
photo In this photo taken on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2015, historical interpreter Edwin Cooke III, of Williamsburg, left, gives a colonial writing lesson to visitors at the Randolph house in the restored area of Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Va. The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is launching a new appeal to attract more African-American visitors. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

"There is no more fundamental right than that of self-defense." - John Locke

Maybe you have noticed I am pretty opinionated about a lot of things. I guess I could apologize for this, but it wouldn't be very sincere. After a certain age, I think we are what we are and that probably won't change too much.

It would also seem we are living in a time where civil disagreement about something is a thing of the past. I mention all this only to say if you see yourself not liking where this column goes, you may want to flip a few pages and look for "Dear Abby" or the funnies.

So since I have warned you, I feel free to say in my opinion one reason we see so much trouble in this country today is that we have forgotten much of our history. I would also say it is pretty easy to forget your country's history when you stopped teaching much of it in your schools 40 years ago, but that is another story. While I am on a roll, I will tell you something else that may cause some of you to spill your coffee or choke on your Cheerios.

I think it should be mandatory for every American citizen to visit Colonial Williamsburg at least one time. Why? Well, in case you haven't guessed, I know of no better place where you are going to get a true history lesson on this wonderful thing we call the United States of America. Real history, true history, not some watered-down, doctored-up version you might see in some of today's textbooks.

This living history museum in Williamsburg, Va., is like no place on earth. Where else can you park your car, walk about a city block and find yourself in the colonial 1700s? With brick streets, colonial taverns, Brown Bess muskets, and horse-drawn carriages, it is almost as if you stepped into Mr. Peabody's WABAC machine and found yourself on Duke of Gloucester Street.

Here the fundamental concepts of our republic, responsible leadership, a sense of public service, self-government and individual liberty were nurtured under the leadership of patriots such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and Peyton Randolph.

So why the history rant today from the guy who is supposed to be talking to you about trout fishing, turkey hunting and shotguns? Because, boys and girls, it is important. Many of the things that we as sportsmen and gun owners hold dear have their very essence and core right here on the brick cobbled streets of Colonial Williamsburg (colonialwilliamsburg.com).

Little kids in tricorne hats, carriage rides and 18th-century taverns are all fun, and I urge you to see it all (you can't do it in one day, by the way), but there is more here than meets the eye of the average tourist.

It's here, whispering just under the bustle of a summer crowd. It lingers in the bricks of the town's armory and hovers in the smoke above the sweaty blacksmith's forge. It is the very essence of what would make America the greatest country in the world. It is the belief in self-reliance and the basic freedom to protect home and family, which may only be done if you are armed.

It is found most everywhere in Colonial Williamsburg but first and foremost in the gunsmith's shop.

Since 1963, in a small shop between Capitol and Francis streets, the gunsmiths of Colonial Williamsburg have been producing authentic 18th-century weapons and educating the public as to how the gun culture in America got its start. As with much of Colonial Williamsburg, try to imagine stepping back in time. It's all here: the guns, the powder horns, the tools and every accoutrement you could think of, all with the absolute authenticity and attention to detail Colonial Williamsburg is known for.

In the blacksmith's shop next door, you may stand in awe and watch as a flat piece of metal is repeatedly heated, hammered and forged around an iron rod, transforming it into a barrel for a rifle. (One old gunsmith said all you need to do this is a big fire and three crazy men.) I had always been curious about this process and wondered how it was even possible.

Now I have seen it. I was standing there watching it all as the black smoke rolled and the sparks danced with each blow of the hammer.

In my own visits to Colonial Williamsburg, it has been my great good fortune to meet and talk to master gunsmith George Suiter. When he came to Colonial Williamsburg more than 30 years ago, many gun shop visitors' questions dealt with technical issues about gun performance and production. Fewer of these questions are asked today. Instead, people want to understand the social history of the gun in America and the evolution of the Second Amendment.

It must be remembered that the colonist in Virginia in the 1700s lived under circumstances many cannot visualize today. People hunted to put food on the table and had to protect the crops they raised from animals and thieves. Likewise, the colonist had to protect home and hearth himself, because there was no police force. A militia law required (that's right, required) free citizens to own a long gun.

It was the ultimate symbol of citizenship.

If you don't believe any of this, I suggest you go to Colonial Williamsburg and see for yourself.

If you totally disagree with everything I have said, that is OK. Maybe Abby or "Garfield" had something good for you today.

Col. George Hangar of the British Army was a colorful character who served through much of the war against the colonies. He is quoted as saying "Never in my life have I seen better rifles or men who shot them than those made in America."

The rifles can be seen and the story of the men can be heard at the gunsmith's shop in Colonial Williamsburg.

"The Trail Less Traveled" is written by Larry Case, who lives in Fayette County, W.Va. You can write to him at larryocase3@gmail.com.

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