On To The British Governor's House

It's grown to be quite a hot afternoon.  I wish we could take a carriage to the Governor's House (arrive in style as it were), but that's not to be.  We simply hoof it like the general public would have done back then.

Now, remember, presentation is everything and, you only get one chance to make a good first impression.  That's what the ol' Gov was needing to do with first the Native American chiefs that came to call, and finally with the Colonists as they became rebellious.  So he built his palace way back from the road and gave visitors plenty of room to be impressed.

To me, the palace was large, but I wasn't greatly impressed - until we stepped into the foyer!

My mercy!!  The rifles to the left, a "fan" of pistols to the right, all flanked by well-displayed swords, and a hallway lined with more weapons that all visitors would pass through on their way to see the British Governor.  I believe they said there is some 5,400 guns alone in these displays!  What Indian chief wouldn't think twice about attacking after seeing all of that stuff - and more in the Magazine!

The plaque above the door was solid gold, the room off to the left was lined with cases of silver serving pieces ... the wealth was evident, and great wealth generally means great power.

The guns are double stacked - in a variety of ways!

Swords and pistols at the ready!

The colonists are receiving their instructions in preparation of an attack!

This is an amazing collection!  Some are reproductions and some are real period antiques.  Your average 21st century person will have no clue how to know if one of these weapons is safe to use and/or how to load it even if there was gunpowder available.  But you can bet the folks living back then knew what to do and how to do it.  Their lives depended on it.  The lives of their wives and children depended on it.  I daresay the women would be just as handy at it as the men!

All of this display says, "Don't mess with me."  Peace through strength was definitely preferred. Every person was needed if the colonies were to survive.