The Children's Stairway in the Richard Bland Tavern, Williamsburg, Va.
Dublin Core
Title
The Children's Stairway in the Richard Bland Tavern, Williamsburg, Va.
Subject
Wetherburn's Tavern (Williamsburg, Va.)
Block 09. Building 31.
Taverns - Virginia - Williamsburg
Postcards - Virginia - Williamsburg
Description
Recto and verso of postcard depicting a narrow set of stairs in the Richard Bland Tavern (now called Wethburn's Tavern.) What is referred to as the children’s stairway on the postcard is a flight of service stairs located in the rear hall of the first floor of the tavern.
At the time the postcard was produced in the 1930s, a ghost story surrounded this particular feature of the tavern. According to a caption on the card: “In this historical house, before the Revolution, there were thirty-two children born to one mother and father, eleven single births and the other in twins and triplets. It is said a beautiful lady with long flowing hair that reached below her waist, wearing a soft blue gown that touched the floor, had been seen to come to this stairway when little children played on it. She is known as the lady in blue or the fairy godmother of little boys and girls.”
Early visitors to Colonial Williamsburg could dine, lodge, and purchase souvenirs and antiques at the Richard Bland Tavern. This postcard of the children’s stairway formed part of a set that visitors most likely could find in the tavern gift shop.
At the time the postcard was produced in the 1930s, a ghost story surrounded this particular feature of the tavern. According to a caption on the card: “In this historical house, before the Revolution, there were thirty-two children born to one mother and father, eleven single births and the other in twins and triplets. It is said a beautiful lady with long flowing hair that reached below her waist, wearing a soft blue gown that touched the floor, had been seen to come to this stairway when little children played on it. She is known as the lady in blue or the fairy godmother of little boys and girls.”
Early visitors to Colonial Williamsburg could dine, lodge, and purchase souvenirs and antiques at the Richard Bland Tavern. This postcard of the children’s stairway formed part of a set that visitors most likely could find in the tavern gift shop.
Creator
The Collotype Co.
Date
ca. 1930s
Rights
This material is protected by copyright law (Title 17, U.S. Code). For reproduction queries: Rights and reproductions
Is Part Of
Postcard Collection
Format
jpeg
Type
Image
Identifier
AV2001-09-06-R
Rights Holder
Special Collections, John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Postcard
Physical Dimensions
3 x 5 inches
Collection
Citation
The Collotype Co., “The Children's Stairway in the Richard Bland Tavern, Williamsburg, Va.,” John D. Rockefeller Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, accessed April 20, 2024, https://rocklib.omeka.net/items/show/530.